2022 Rankings: Hidden Gems

One of the challenges of what we do is to always get the coverage for the high level D1 and D2 player without forgetting why we are really here, the small college prospects. That may seem like a strange statement as the top players drive significant attention to an article or website. At the end of the day the players in the bottom 30-40% that will play D3,NAIA or JC ball is where I enjoy spending my time. These players need the exposure as they may be left behind if the college coaches do not have a place to learn about them. These are the players that I like to help as their dream of playing college basketball is just as real to them as the top players. Here are some of the hidden gems in the bottom third of our rankings that college coaches should know. Crossover Elite is an AAU club based in the Metro East that is likely unknown outside of this area as they play mostly local. They have quite a few talented players in the 2022 class. [player_tooltip player_id="160153" first="Chloe" last="White"] and [player_tooltip player_id="124886" first="Abby" last="Williams"] are both 5'9-5'10 wings that are small college prospects. White is from Jerseyville and is a scorer that does a very good job of playing through contact on her way to the basket.She handles the ball well and sees the floor which allows her to be very effective in a full court game. Williams is a stat stuffer that will get you points, boards, steals and assists every night out. Abby is just coming off an ACL surgery in January and was cleared and played her first game this weekend. [player_tooltip player_id="124891" first="Alyssa" last="Powell"] is another player to watch from this club. She is a 5'10 forward from Triad that has excellent potential. Alyssa has nice spring to her and is strong. She has played much of her career with her back to the basket and is working to transition to the wing position. The Indiana Elite Havoc 2022 team has an abundance of talent which causes a few girls in the rotation to go unnoticed. If you are looking for a scrappy guard that can score the ball you should pay attention to [player_tooltip player_id="124854" first="Kate" last="Littleton"]. Kate is a 5'6 Combo Guard from Paris that can score the ball very well. She is quick going to the rim and can hit from deep. As she improves her ball handling and defense she will be nice addition to any small college roster. [player_tooltip player_id="124876" first="Payton" last="Jacob"] , [player_tooltip player_id="124862" first="Izzy" last="Hardiek"] and [player_tooltip player_id="138871" first="Kai" last="Engledow"] are the players that do a significant amount of the dirty work for this team. Payton and Izzy are both around 5'11 4/5 types that bring rebounding and effort to every game. Both run the floor hard on the break and can get some easy points that way. Neither will likely be a high level scorer but will finish the opportunities they get. Kai is much more of an offensive threat. She is a little shorter at 5'8, sort of a power wing that has a strong build to her. Kai has deep range on her shot and can really help stretch the floor to give a bigger post room to work the lane. The biggest challenge for Kai will be continuing to improve her ball handling and quickness. There are two inside players that are from the Southern Illinois area that are worth tracking for small colleges. [player_tooltip player_id="159606" first="Sydney" last="Tebbe"] is a 6'0 4/5 from Okawville and does a nice job in the lane finishing with either hand. She is comfortable away from the basket as a passer/screener but I have not seen her put the ball on the floor or take the outside jumper yet. Just like most kids from Okawville she is very fundamentally sound and she is a strong kid. The other interior player is [player_tooltip player_id="160154" first="Charlize" last="Luehman"] from Father McGivney. She is a 5'11 stretch 4 type that can play taller than her height inside but is also comfortable in the high post or above the 3-point line. I have not seen her taking 3 point shots but her agility and athletic ability allow her to be comfortable in those spots. Charlize came on the scene as a freshman that was thrust into a starting spot due to injuries and her toughness and willingness to compete came through very clearly. Both girls will help themselves by continuing to expand their face up game but both have the skill and toughness to compete at the next level. The other players I would like to highlight are guards and wings. All of them have a level of toughness to them that makes them enticing for a college coach. [player_tooltip player_id="160151" first="Maddy" last="Schwemmer"] is a 5'9 wing from Freeburg that has shown an ability to consistently put points on the board. She has nice outside shot that she hits at a high rate but she is also capable through her strength to get to the rim if you crowd her. Maddy has expanded her role of 6th man as a freshman to counted on veteran coming into her junior season. [player_tooltip player_id="124893" first="Kelbie" last="Zupan"] is a 5'5 Combo Guard from Civic Memorial. Kelbie is a nice shooter that has improved her ball handling and defense over her first two years. She will certainly get more time this year due to graduations and will need to step up for the Lady Eagles. If she can continue to improve her all around game she has a good chance to combine the skill with a toughness she brings from the softball field and help a college team. [player_tooltip player_id="160150" first="Rachel" last="Holthaus"] is a 5'7 Point Guard from Pana that runs with the Central Illinois Predators AAU team. Rachel is a point guard that brings classic skills you look for in your lead guard. She can handle the ball well and sees the floor at all times. Rachel does a good job making the right decisions with the ball in her hand and is always looking for the right pass. She is also capable of scoring off the bounce when the defense gives her the shot instead of the help defenders stepping up. One thing Rachel can continue working on to expand her game is the ability to knock down the perimeter shot more often.[player_tooltip player_id="160146" first="Reese" last="Bennett"] is a 5'8 Guard from Belleville West. Reese is a very good shooter from the perimeter that also displays toughness in her game. She is usually taped up on her wrist and banged up in some way because of how she throws her body around during the game. Yet, she always seems to be there to give her team all she has. Reese is very good on the catch and shoot behind the arc but will put the ball on the floor and pull up in the mid range if you crowd her too much.Our last wing player that I believe college coaches should be watching is [player_tooltip player_id="160159" first="Alexis" last="Pohlman"]. Alexis is a 5'8 Combo Guard from Greenfield and the Illinois Inferno. She is a talented scorer that does her best work in the mid range. She can either pull up off the dribble or catch and shoot via the offense. Alexis can hit the 3 and will likely gain more consistent success as she matures and gets stronger. She handles the ball well but plays with more of a scorers mentality than your normal point guard. She is a smart player that can also rebound and play defense. These girls were all added to the rankings last year and while they did not make stock risers lists they are all still working hard to improve and are poised for a good junior season.