Illinois Predators 16U – Team Review

I spoke with Coach Steve Marvel recently to breakdown his 16U Illinois Predators team and how they and the 17U played at the Clash in Indianapolis this past weekend. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>17U</strong></span> - Clash at Indianapolis July 17-19 2-2 overall, 2^nd in pool play, just missing the cross play pool championship game. Their game winning shot attempt rimmed out at the buzzer. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Standout Players:</span> Kylee Parker: Lanphier High School. 2021 - Kylee played did many things well all weekend. Rend Lake is now expressing interest. Abby Scharf: Mt. Zion High School. 2022 - Abby’s defense shined all weekend. Hannah Cleveland: Olympia High School. 2024 - Hannah led the team in scoring in Indianapolis. [player_tooltip player_id="160150" first="Rachel" last="Holthaus"]. Pana High School. 2022 - Rachel had a great weekend scoring the basketball and playing defense but Coach Marvel was very proud of her leadership.  That stood out the most. <strong>16U - </strong>Clash at Indianapolis July 17-19 1-3 overall record with some close losses but this team battled all weekend.  They never quit and competed hard every game. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Team Breakdown</span> #3 Madelyn Beck. Springfield High School. 2024 - A 3 point specialist, Madelyn’s game has improved a lot this summer.  She isn’t afraid to get on the floor and go after 50/50 balls or battle with girls bigger than her.  She is a high intensity player who has also improved her defense. #5 Natalie Engleman. Nokomis High School. 2023 - A high basketball IQ player, Natalie excels at shooting the basketball.  She has great form and was a state 3 point shooting finalist last year as a freshman.  A very coachable kid, Natalie will battle all game long. #12 Makenna Yeager. Chatham Glenwood High School. 2024 - A long athlete who can hold her on the defensive end, Makenna brings a solid skill set to the floor.  A combo guard, she can fill in at the point position, due in large part to her good handles.  She can also knock down an outside jumper and get to the rim and finish. #15 Jordyn Hall. Athens High School. 2022 - Jordyn had her best weekend of the summer this past weekend in Indy.  Her intensity was high and her defense was on point.  Her jumper was falling and she hit multiple threes.  Even though her shots were falling in consistently, Jordyn was still finding and setting up her teammates with the extra pass all tournament. #20 Moriah Crawford. Lanphier High School. 2022 - The best rebounder on the team, Moriah is a hard working, coachable player.  She is a post that isn't afraid to battle and her post moves are developing very nicely.  She also has a nice jumper from the short corner. #21 Kadence Farris. Rochester High School. 2023 - Kadence is a strong slasher that can get to the rim well.  She is a bit undersized at the 4 but that doesn't stop her from battling anyone that she matches up with and grabbing rebounds. #22 Elly Martinez. Lincoln High School. 2023 - A joy to coach, Elly is one of the top players for the 16U Illinois Predators.  She has a beautiful shot and solid fundamentals.  A versatile player, Elly can also score down low in the post and with an outside jumper. #24 Kenadie Carlock. Hillsboro High School. 2023 - Kenadie is a long player that does well on the top of the press.  She can get to the rim and rack up the rebounds. #25 Madison Hughes. Illini Central. 2024 - An extremely coachable player with a good skill set, Madison has a bright future.  Coach Marvel believes she has the potential to be a 4 year Varsity player due in part to a jumper that can fall from mid-range and 3.  Madison also handles the basketball very well. #30 Karley Hawkins. Chatham Glenwood High School. 2024 - A hard working gym rat, Karley is a gamer.  She is tenacious on the defensive end, isn't afraid to guard anyone and has the skill set to pressure full court.  A lefty point guard who never wants to leave the gym, Karley will push the tempo and has the ability to penetrate to the rim and finish in traffic. #32 Katie Friedrich. Springfield High School. 2024 - Katie is a sneaky good athlete.  Her quickness and handles give her the ability to get to the rim.  She can hit the 3 ball but she is at her best attacking.  She can really jump and that helps her grab rebounds all game long.  Katie has been getting more vocal all summer and her leadership is really starting to show. #35 Emma Scheffler. Springfield High School. 2024 -  Emma has a very high basketball IQ.  She can read the defense and know when to cut.  She understands the game well.  She can also take care of the basketball and has a good jump shot. Coach Marvel calls her a "glue kid". &nbsp;