Top 10 Players I saw: Monday Notebook

With both the USJN Premier Showcase and the Nike TOC session one going on there is some great basketball being played in Indianapolis. I cannot be there but thankfully the technology advances allow me to watch via the internet. The following is a list of the top players I saw yesterday from the two events. <em><strong>USJN Event</strong></em> I took the opportunity to watch the Midwest Elite 17u EYBL team for just the fun of it. Most of the scouting I do is of Southern Illinois girls. In addition I am usually looking for girls that need my help.The girls on a team this talented are already getting multiple offers so they do not need me. Still, it is fun to watch players I don’t see often. One player I had never seen is 2023 Point Guard [player_tooltip player_id="155940" first="Kamorea" last="Arnold"] from Germantown, Wi. She is very explosive with the basketball and can get downhill very quickly. I saw her take the game over for a 4-5 minute window where she finished in the lane 4 times and hit a 3-pointer. Kamorea has multiple Power 5 offers already and will be one to watch on a National level over the next 3 years. The other player I enjoyed watching was PGH 2021 #1 player, [player_tooltip player_id="6971" first="Greta" last="Kampschroeder"]. Greta is a very talented player with great physical tools and a high level of skill. But, I enjoy watching her more because of her leadership and toughness. Greta will play anywhere on the floor and do anything she needs to do for her team to win. She is constantly observing the game and helping direct traffic for her team as a coach on the floor. I continue to be impressed by the IE Havoc 2022 team. There are talented players up and down the roster. They play well together and have players  that will fit at D1-D3/NAIA so all college coaches can get something from watching them. The two players that stood out for me on Monday were [player_tooltip player_id="128154" first="Zoe" last="Stewart"] a guard from Terre Haute North and [player_tooltip player_id="124895" first="Jillian" last="Hamilton"] a forward from Pana. Stewart is just so crafty with the ball in the open floor. She can pass it and score while playing under control but at a fast pace. She has mastered the wrong foot layup and the quick one handed finish that often catch a defender off guard. Hamilton is still such a work in progress that it is exciting to watch. She is strong and athletic and often makes plays that seem so simple but then you realize that very girls do what she just did. She may end up as a stretch 4 at the D2/NAIA/D3 level or if she really progresses in her ball handling she may be 3/4 a low D1/D2  level. [player_tooltip player_id="123619" first="Asya" last="Smith"] continues to impress me as a scrappy do it all guard. She is about 5’7, from Pleasant Plains and the Predators 17u Lowis team. Asya may lead the team in rebounds as she is always working hard to box out and get the ball. When she does she can push it up the floor quickly where she will make great passes in the open floor. Asya can score, but it may be the least important part of what she does. She is the classic team player and point guard. [player_tooltip player_id="160135" first="Trinity" last="Tingley"] is a part of the IE Havoc 2023 team and is a point guard from Paris. Trinity is having a good so far and really stepped up in the HOI game by hitting a barrage of 3-pointers in the second half to secure the lead. She is battling some injuries which just makes the performance even more impressive. Trinity is a coaches daughter who excels at running the team and making decisions in the open court. Brooke Runge is a 2021 Guard from Altamont and the IL Aristocrats.Brooke has very good vision and instincts on the floor. She can see the pass that will be open and does a good job of delivering those passes with zip and accuracy. Brooke is also capable of hitting the 3-point shot and scoring at the rim. She is definitely a good D3/NAIA prospect. &nbsp; <em><strong>Nike Tournament of Champions</strong></em> [player_tooltip player_id="107975" first="Brooke" last="Highmark"] is a 2022 guard from Westminster Academy and Blue Star Silvey. Brooke is a combo guard that can handle it and score. She does a good job of getting in the paint and finishing with a variety of moves. Brroke has a nice 3-point shot that she can hit with consistency and she is a leader. She is a little undersized so her recruiting will depend on the comfort level of the coaches as to what level she can handle athletically and physically. I had the chance to watch the Brad Beal Elite 2023 team play and was impressed with all of the talent they have. Two O’Fallon, Il players stuck out with their efforts. [player_tooltip player_id="148153" first="Shannon" last="Dowell"] is a 5’10 guard and does a very good job using her length and athletic ability on both ends of the floor. She had multiple steals that led to runouts for her and her teammates. As she transitioned to offense she showed her ability to jump and finish over girls and also to hang in the air and let the defender fly by before she finished the layup. Zsana (Z) Hawkins is a strong post player that combines strength with quick feet for her size. Most bigger and stronger girls are not as nimble as Z, but she is quick on her feet and agile. She did a good job of finishing in the lane and rebounding in the game I watched. I think Z has a chance to contribute next year at O’Fallon alongside two 2021 posts in Bell and Lovelace. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;