Summer Summary: Always 100

Feature image is of [player_tooltip player_id="128130" first="Julia" last="Mantyla"] (2022) of Northridge High School and [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] Black/[program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] White. In a year with a great deal of uncertainty, Central and Northern Indiana turned out to be quite the places to host a number of grassroots events. With the conclusion of the Run 4 Roses Classic last weekend, and with kids starting up Fall leagues or playing Fall sports for their high schools, I wanted to turn my attention to reviewing what I saw all Summer long. I will be rolling out a series of articles over the next week doing so. The programs who entered six or more teams in the 17U-14U age groups will get their own article, while the remaining teams will be divided into North, Central, and South articles later in the series. Below is a look at some of the 16 teams in those age groups who took the court for the [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] program.   17U Teams: The 17U collection saw the [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] Elite group and the [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] Black group take the floor as much as anyone, with the [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] Pressure and the [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] White teams in a few tournaments as well. These four teams showcased several nice prospects, ranging from Division-I on down. [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] Elite saw a variety of prospects take turns leading the way. I felt like 6-3 post [player_tooltip player_id="130314" first="Brynn" last="Shoup-Hill"] (2021) of Goshen played fairly well each time I saw them. She has the size and strength to play physically inside, but it's her touch and skill around the perimeter that make her stand out. She has already committed to the University of Dayton. Dynamic 5-4 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="65535" first="Olivia" last="Smith"] (2022) of Fort Wayne South Side always requires popcorn and a Coke to watch, as you can just sit back and enjoy the show. She is so tough, gritty, and strong at her size, plus she's incredibly quick and explosive and can score the ball at all three levels. I've always been a fan of 5-7 guard [player_tooltip player_id="35022" first="Moira" last="McGinley"]'s (2021) motor and energy. The Bishop Chatard product is always around the ball, she is engaged defensively, and she has really become a nice multilevel scorer over the last 12-18 months. I also felt like 5-6 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="94969" first="Jordyn" last="Smith"] (2021) of Penn looked fully healthy and strong once again. She is a tough-nosed, physical lead guard who does a nice job of dictating offense and knocking down open rhythm jumpers. [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] Black and [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] White were both coached by the same gentleman, so occasionally girls from the White team would play with the black group. Regardless, the group as a whole had nice continuity and a few girls really stepped up this Summer. I felt like 5-4 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="158392" first="Grace" last="Sullivan"] (2021) of Homestead was the pulse of this team. I remember one specific game where the feisty guard really hounded a Division-I commit and rendered her somewhat ineffective. Grace is quick, very active, and she takes care of the ball. She has already committed to Ferris State University. 5-10 wing [player_tooltip player_id="61062" first="Rebekah" last="Marshall"] (2022) of Columbia City has really started to come into her own. She looks stronger, more fluid athletically, and more confident attacking the basket. She has a soft touch to 3-point range, but her ability to score it at all three levels now will really help her recruiting. 5-9 forward [player_tooltip player_id="130353" first="Jaci" last="Walker"] (2021) of Northridge took the time this Summer to show why several schools missed on her before ultimately committing to Davenport University. She has such a nice combination of strength, physicality, and athleticism, that she's tough to match up against inside of 15-feet. Add to that some touch around the arc, and she should make a really nice face-up '4' at the next level. High school teammate [player_tooltip player_id="128130" first="Julia" last="Mantyla"] (2022), a 5'10 wing from Northridge, really played well this Summer. She has a high ceiling, and now that she's getting stronger and more assertive, she'll start seeing it pay off in terms of college attention. She is incredibly long, fluidly athletic, and versatile skillfully around the perimeter or in the mid-post. A pair of Warsaw Tigers also stood out in 5-5 guard [player_tooltip player_id="130349" first="Kensie" last="Ryman"] (2021) and 6-1 post [player_tooltip player_id="97256" first="Abby" last="Sanner"] (2022). Ryman is another prospect who bounced back from an injury and looked healthy all Summer. She is a fairly gritty, somewhat quick, accurate shooter with range and a solid feel for the game. She can slide over and run offense as well, so she'll draw her share of nice small college interest. Sanner looks a lot stronger and more confident on the interior this year. She is more of a traditional post, but she does have some face-up skill to about 12 to 15-feet and will knock down the short-corner or mid-post jumpers. As for [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] Pressure, they were a hard-working group with several nice small college prospects onboard. 5-10 power forward [player_tooltip player_id="130389" first="Alayha" last="Allen"] (2021) of Richmond began the Summer with a bang, and she has really improved since I last saw her. She is a nice, long athlete with a good motor. She rebounds the ball well, and she scores it fairly well inside of 15-feet. 5-7 guards [player_tooltip player_id="99408" first="Lillian" last="Mast"] (2021) of West Noble and [player_tooltip player_id="184242" first="Kayliana" last="Hammel"] (2021) of Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger are both strong, athletic, one-directional attackers who get downhill in a hurry. They are both so good at attacking the basket and finishing through contact, but they can also occasionally run offense and take care of the ball. I also think 5-6 guard [player_tooltip player_id="130375" first="Sidney" last="Wagner"] (2021) of Tippecanoe Valley and 5-7 wing [player_tooltip player_id="130365" first="Delane" last="Sheets"] (2021) of Fort Wayne Carroll are somewhat under-valued as prospects. Wagner is a nice athlete with skillful versatility. She can score big numbers if she wants, but she doesn't typically force action, and she can run offense and facilitate as well. Sheets has been a highly skilled, strong, and physical wing since I can remember back in 8th Grade. She does a really nice job of playing around the perimeter, plus she also has a nice motor. Biggest Stock-Riser: [player_tooltip player_id="128130" first="Julia" last="Mantyla"], 2022, 5-10 W, Northridge H.S. Most Under-Recruited Prospect: [player_tooltip player_id="65535" first="Olivia" last="Smith"], 2022, 5-4 PG, Fort Wayne South Side H.S. Best Motor: [player_tooltip player_id="35022" first="Moira" last="McGinley"], 2021, 5-7 G, Bishop Chatard H.S.   16U Teams: In the 16U division, there were again a number of really nice small college prospects, with the occasional Division-I prospect also mixed in. [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100']-Wright probably drew the most coaches in a given weekend, as they had a number of girls really step up. 5-10 wing [player_tooltip player_id="97276" first="Lauren" last="Leach"] (2022) of Angola is starting to see some momentum in her recruiting, as the long and athletic wing plays with a great deal of versatility. She is skilled around the perimeter, almost smooth with the ball, and kind of plays a point forward position. She is a capable shooter outside and really just needs to get a little stronger to be as effective finishing at the basket. 5-8 guard [player_tooltip player_id="128151" first="Gracie" last="Bobo"] (2022) of Penn is programmed as a shooter/scorer, and she can put up numbers in bursts. But she also has a solid handle and feel for the game, so she can occasionally slide over and run offense. She has length, wiry strength, and solid all-around athleticism. I think 6-0 power forward [player_tooltip player_id="96089" first="Annaka" last="Nelson"] (2023) of Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran is one of the state's better kept secrets right now. She has an athletic frame, she moves well in all directions, including vertically, plus she is skilled in the mid-post and around the perimeter. I would think she should see her share of Division-I suitors at some point. 5-10 forward [player_tooltip player_id="128134" first="Maggie" last="Keinsley"] (2022) of Homestead is another prospect who is somewhat under-valued; she just happens to play on a deep frontline in high school. She has great length, she's a fluid/smooth athlete, and she has nice touch around the perimeter. She is probably more of a face-up '4', and she will battle aggressively inside, but she needs to get stronger for the next level. The [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] Tigers showed real grit and toughness as a group this Summer, but I felt like 5-8 wing [player_tooltip player_id="128147" first="Kacilyn" last="Krebs"] (2022) of Warsaw really played inspired ball. She looks a little taller, much stronger, and more explosive than she did a year ago. She is a nice, skillful, point forward type, she goes strong to the basket, but she always finds teammates regularly. I also thought she shot it more consistently outside than I recall from the past. 5-8 small forward [player_tooltip player_id="157178" first="Sydney" last="Little"] (2022) of Penn also played as consistently as I can remember. She looked more polished and skillful around the perimeter, plus she always plays with a quiet toughness, some physicality, and a nice motor. But it was her ability to take care of the ball and make shots at all levels that stood out the most. 5-7 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="128196" first="Alayna" last="Boots"] (2022) of Prairie Heights is another nice, developing prospect with solid upside for the future. She has really good length, she looks a little taller than last Summer, and she's a somewhat smooth and athletic creator who finds teammates shots. She needs to get much stronger, but I think she can become a nice on-ball defender as well. An intriguing youngster who played "up" two age groups is 6-0 post [player_tooltip player_id="201870" first="Giselle" last="Eke"] (2024) of Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger. She has a strong, athletic frame, she runs the floor well in transition, and she seemed to work hard each time I saw her. She'll need some skill refinement, but she does a lot of really nice things from an effort and athletic standpoint. While she was never in attendance when I saw them, I've been told to watch out for 6-1 post [player_tooltip player_id="177342" first="Addisen" last="Mastriano"] (2024) of Northeastern this high school season. The [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100']-Todd team is another scrappy group who probably outplays their size/talent. 5-9 forward [player_tooltip player_id="157180" first="Jessie" last="Yelaska"] (2022) of John Glenn showed improved play from a year ago. She looks a little taller, much stronger, and more versatile skillfully. She does a nice job of using her strength to establish position and score around the paint, but she's also a solid one-directional driver from the perimeter, and she can knock down open rhythm jumpers fairly consistently. 5-7 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="128169" first="Emily" last="Todd"] (2022) of Norwell has always stood out to me as a nice game-manager who handles pressure well and takes care of the basketball. She always seems to make the right play in each situation, and she is starting to score it a little more consistently, though she could definitely stand to get much stronger. This Summer was my first time seeing 5-9 power forward Makenzy Meyer (2022) of Manchester, and she is definitely intriguing. She has a solid/strong build, but she's also a really nice athlete in most directions. She is willing to be physical, she is an active rebounder, and she can score it a little inside of 15-feet. 5-5 guard Brooke Pocock (2022) of Fort Wayne Carroll also stood out with this group. She appeared to be their designated shooter, as she was setting her feet and squaring her shoulders on nearly every catch. At the same time, she showed some ball skill and the ability to initiate the offense as well, plus she played with a nice motor. Biggest Stock-Riser: [player_tooltip player_id="128147" first="Kacilyn" last="Krebs"], 2022, 5-8 W, Warsaw Community H.S. Most Under-Recruited Prospect: [player_tooltip player_id="96089" first="Annaka" last="Nelson"], 2023, 6-0 PF, Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran School Best Motor: [player_tooltip player_id="157178" first="Sydney" last="Little"], 2022, 5-8 SF, Penn H.S.   15U Teams: The [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] program has some very talented individuals in the 15U division, and while those prospects absolutely stepped up this Summer, so did a few lesser-known individuals. [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] Elite is the flagship team for them in this age group, and 5-6 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="59732" first="Ashlynn" last="Brooke"] (2023) of Pioneer leads the way for them. She is still in need of strength, but she is incredibly dynamic off the bounce, and she's a high-level shooter with range well-beyond the arc. She looked to attack the basket and attempted to finish through contact more and more as the Summer progressed, and that should pay dividends down the road. Ashlynn picked up several Division-I offers this Summer as well. I felt like Fort Wayne Carroll twins [player_tooltip player_id="59759" first="Nevaeh" last="Jackson"] (2023) and [player_tooltip player_id="59758" first="Saniya" last="Jackson"] (2023) played with a lot more skill, understanding, and consistency this Summer. Both are very long and athletic, but both are now more traditional wings. A year ago, I felt like Saniya had somewhat transitioned more to the wing, while Nevaeh was good in the mid-post. But this Summer they were handling it much better, attacking the basket off the bounce, and knocking down the occasional rhythm jumper consistently. 5-10 small forward [player_tooltip player_id="59778" first="Alison" last="Stephens"] (2023) of Homestead had good outings each time I saw them play. She is a strong forward with broad shoulders and some length. She plays with a good motor, and while she looks like more of a power forward and is highly effective in the mid-post, she is also capable around the perimeter and can knock down open shots. Look for her to get more opportunity this Winter for Homestead. 5-5 guard Madison Vice (2023) of Central Noble had her moments as well. She is tough-nosed, gritty, and feisty. She is a solid athlete in all directions, she has a balanced and versatile skillset, and while she played off the ball a lot for them, I think she'll be more of a traditional point guard at the next level. [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] United has a handful of really nice prospects as well. I think 6-0 forward [player_tooltip player_id="59749" first="Brea" last="Garber"] (2023) of Fairfield is still growing and getting stronger, but she is tremendously skilled at her size and can play either a point forward position or a mid-post face-up '4' type of role. She has great length, and I think she'll gain more explosion once she's done growing, though she is fairly fluid already. I liken her game to maybe Butler University Freshman [player_tooltip player_id="64112" first="Abby" last="Stoddard"] (2020) stylistically. The player who maybe stands out the most on this team, though, is 5-8 wing Eva Fisher (2023) of Northridge. She is so energetic and tremendously athletic, that she's hard to miss flying around the floor. She is a solid ball-handler, attacker, and scorer at the rim, she rebounds outside of her area, and she can defend multiple positions well. 5-5 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="96094" first="Addison" last="Ward"] (2023) of Twin Lakes is kind of the silent assassin on this team. She spends early portions of games, it seems, getting used to the flow of the game, then she starts to knock down a shot or two, get to the basket for a score or free throws, and find open teammates in positions to score. By the end of it, she has a quiet 18 points, seven assists, and maybe just one turnover. She has length, fluidity, and a nice understanding of the game. One player for them who I was unfamiliar with entering the Summer is 5-10 power forward Sydney Fream (2023) of Homestead. She is a nice, solidly built athlete who plays with a motor. She is a good rebounder, she'll score at the block, but she also has a decent face-up game in the mid-post. Once again, she's a nice ballplayer in a loaded frontline rotation at Homestead, so it might be some time before she gets big minutes for them. [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] Prime was another hard-working team under their umbrella. I only had one opportunity to see them, but 5-6 guard Alexa Robinson (2023) of Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran really played well in that game. She is a strong and athletic combo guard who played with a great deal of energy when I saw her. She showed some skill and understanding, but she was just such a nice, natural athlete who was great in transition and attacking the basket downhill. Kaydence Mellott (2023) of Tippecanoe Valley is another really nice guard for this team. The 5-6 shooter/scorer had a solid Freshman season for the Vikings, and she should take a big step in year-2 this Winter. She has solid strength and athleticism, and she plays with a nice motor. While I didn't see much of her, I felt like 5-6 guard Meghan Keibel (2023) of Central Noble also stood out to me. She is a strong athlete who plays with a really nice motor. She did some things skillfully as well, but I would need to see just a little more of her to get a great feel for her game. Biggest Stock-Riser: Madison Vice, 2023, 5-5 G, Central Noble H.S. Most Under-Recruited Prospect: [player_tooltip player_id="59749" first="Brea" last="Garber"], 2023, 6-0 F, Fairfield H.S. Best Motor: Eva Fisher, 2023, 5-8 W, Northridge H.S.   14U Teams: While the 2024 class statewide is kind of hit and miss, Northeast Indiana has several really nice prospects, most of which are included on different [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] teams. [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] Elite could compete with just about any 14U team in the Midwest, as they have a number of talented guards and wings. I have been most impressed with the potential of 5-6 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="177351" first="Jordyn" last="Poole"] (2024) of Fort Wayne Snider. She is so dynamic off the bounce, explosive in all directions, and she just has a knack for scoring the thing from all areas of the floor. I think she can become an elite defender at the high school level, plus she is a willing passer who finds teammates in even the smallest of windows. Once coaches are able to get out and see her, I anticipate her recruiting absolutely exploding. I also really like 5-8 guard [player_tooltip player_id="177321" first="Joh'nea" last="Donahue"] (2024) from this team, also of Fort Wayne Snider. She is a wiry strong and athletic combo guard who does a little of everything well. She can attack the basket and score/distribute, she can act as a game-manager and run offense, but she's also a nice rhythm shooter from the perimeter and a good on-ball defender who works hard. Add to them 5-10 wing Destini Craig (2024), one more Snider Panther, and they could very well be a nice trio of Division-I prospects when it's all said and done. Destini has a strong, athletic frame, she is a nice North/South athlete who thrives attacking the basket, she can play in the mid-post, and she can make the occasional rhythm jumper from 3-point range. 5-2 point guard Kylie Caswell (2024) of Angola also flashed nice upside for them off the bench. She is a smaller guard, but she plays with a great deal of quickness, feistiness, and understanding for the game. She can handle and run offense or knock down open shots, plus she can be a gnat on the ball defensively. [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100']-Paul has several nice prospects on their roster as well. Unfortunately, the one with maybe the most upside...6-0 guard [player_tooltip player_id="177314" first="Alexis" last="Castator"] (2024) of Fort Wayne Carroll...was hurt each time I saw them play. However, 5-4 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="177354" first="Kyndra" last="Sheets"] (2024) of Columbia City did a nice job running the show for this team. She is a strong-for-her-size, gritty, and tough-nosed lead guard. She doesn't mind physicality, she takes care of the ball very well, and she can knock down shots when her feet are set. Pairing with her in the backcourt were 5-3 guard Jersey Paul (2024) of Churubusco and 5-6 guard Emma Reust (2024) of Homestead. Paul is a shorter, but athletic, quick/fast, and feisty combo guard. She is programmed as a shooter/scorer first, and she can make shots with range, but she's also a capable ball-handler who can run offense from time to time. Reust is a long, wiry, and fluidly athletic off-guard who can knock down shots or slice to the basket. She too has a feistiness to her game, plus she can be effective at the defensive end of the floor. I only had one opportunity to see [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100']-Gamble, but they had a couple of prospects who stood out when I saw them play. 6-1 post [player_tooltip player_id="177328" first="Kyra" last="Hill"] (2024) of Goshen is the younger sister of [player_tooltip player_id="130314" first="Brynn" last="Shoup-Hill"] (above), and Kyra shows a great deal of potential moving forward. She is a stronger, more traditional back-to-the-basket post right now, but she is a nice athlete who works hard inside, and she's just bigger and more athletic than most of her matchups. Look for her to expand her game and continue growing these next four years. I also thought 5-5 guard Megan Baxter (2024) of Columbia City showed some upside. She is a tough-nosed, strong-for-her-size guard who should pair nicely with Sheets in the Columbia City backcourt the next four years. Baxter has a balanced skillset and can play on or off the ball effectively. Biggest Stock-Riser: [player_tooltip player_id="177351" first="Jordyn" last="Poole"], 2024, 5-6 PG, Fort Wayne Snider H.S. Prospect With The Highest Ceiling: [player_tooltip player_id="177314" first="Alexis" last="Castator"], 2024, 6-0 W, Fort Wayne Carroll H.S. Best Motor: [player_tooltip player_id="177321" first="Joh'nea" last="Donahue"], 2024, 5-8 G, Fort Wayne Snider H.S.