Flight Shootout: Top Underclassmen

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id="59756" first="Ella" last="Hobson"] of Center Grove High School and Gym Rats-Booker. Saturday was the annual Easter Weekend Flight Shootout. Typically held at Triton Central High School, this event has expanded to also utilize Shelbyville High School, and Bear Country was the site for most of the high school teams participating in the event. To follow are several underclassmen who stood out during the games I was able to see at this event.   [player_tooltip player_id="59747" first="Riley" last="Flinn"], 2023, West Lafayette Harrison H.S., Indiana Flight-Long I know I have discussed Riley a couple of times already this Spring, but her amount of physical growth and skillful development is impressive. Having grown up as more of a smaller point guard, she is now a long, tall wing with some ball skill, fluid athleticism, and the versatility to score it at all three levels well. [player_tooltip player_id="178236" first="Madelyn" last="Hackman"], 2023, Brownstown Central H.S., Indiana Flight Future-Redar Maddie is not someone I get to see in-person often, but each time I do, she continues to improve. She looks stronger and more explosive than she did last Fall, and she is changing directions smoother. She has a solid handle and can play on the ball some, but she is strong to the rim and can make shots outside. [player_tooltip player_id="59756" first="Ella" last="Hobson"], 2023, Center Grove H.S., Gym Rats-Booker Ella isn’t big, but she must be a joy to coach. She is quick/fast and feisty, she can shoot it with deep range outside, and she is starting to do a lot more off the bounce. She’s always had a solid handle and creativity, but the fact she’s becoming more of a facilitator and multilevel scorer instead of just a shooter is great. [player_tooltip player_id="203656" first="Catherine" last="Madden"], 2023, Cathedral H.S., Gym Rats-Booker Cat outworks her competition each game, and she did so again when I saw her Saturday. She is a solid athlete, with wiry strength and a little bounce. She pursues rebounds and defends most forwards, plus she’s a really nice offensive threat in the mid-post and short-corners. She can also knock down the occasional ’3’. [player_tooltip player_id="96087" first="Riley" last="Makalusky"], 2023, Hamilton Southeastern H.S., Gym Rats EYBL-Hollins Riley has always been an extremely long and fluidly athletic kid, but a year ago I felt like she was more of a spot-up shooter offensively. This Spring, she looks a little taller, stronger, and much more assertive attacking the basket. She’s absorbing contact better and has become a dangerous multilevel scorer. Ali Wiesmann, 2023, Perry Meridian H.S., Indiana Pride Xpress I’ve had Ali’s name for a couple of years now, but this was my first time watching her. She has tremendous length, very good speed and quickness, plus she plays with a nice motor. She has solid all-around perimeter skill, she can handle it some in transition and make plays, plus she can shoot it a little outside as well. [player_tooltip player_id="177338" first="Faith" last="Leedy"], 2024, Zionsville Community H.S., PAC Flight North Rise Faith is a nice, strong, tough-nosed lead guard who saw some opportunity early on as a Freshman at Zionsville. She can handle the ball and run offense, she’s a strong passer who can deliver it down the floor, plus she’s a capable shooter who can consistently make shots. I just like her approach to the game. [player_tooltip player_id="177339" first="Elle" last="Marble"], 2024, Jeffersonville H.S., Indiana Flight Future UAA-Meade There is a lot to like about Elle's game. She is extremely long, fluid & smooth, and she much stronger than her frame might suggest. She has some toughness and physicality, plus she's good with the ball. She can knock down an open 3-pointer, but her ability to slice to the basket and collapse defenses stands out. [player_tooltip player_id="177341" first="Koryn" last="Marshall"], 2024, New Palestine H.S., Gym Rats-Walker Koryn is a strong, physical, and aggressive wing, especially offensively. She is looking to drive it/score it on each catch, and she does a nice job of putting her head down and taking on contact at the basket, regardless of their size. She is a solid rebounder as well, and she can defend multiple positions. [player_tooltip player_id="201878" first="Riley" last="Milausnic"], 2024, Lake Central H.S., Indiana Flight Northwest Riley has always been a confident little guard, quick with the ball, and she likes to make the highlight play from time to time. This Spring, she looks so much stronger, tougher going through the lane, but she's also shooting it outside more consistently with range. She is using her newfound strength defensively as well. [player_tooltip player_id="177344" first="Ellery" last="Minch"], 2024, Mount Vernon H.S. (Fortville), Gym Rats EYBL-Hollins Ellery is a real talent, and there's a reason she's our #2 prospect in the 2024 class right now. She has length, wiry strength, she's fluid & smooth, and she is so versatile offensively. She can shoot the '3' a little, she can handle it and run offense, but she's great attacking the basket and using her height to finish. [player_tooltip player_id="177357" first="Kendall" last="Sterling"], 2024, Seymour H.S., Indiana Flight Future UAA-Meade Kendall will have one of the better high school careers of any of the 2024 prospects. She is strong and physical, plus skilled and highly productive. She can handle the ball and occasionally start the offense, she can knock down rhythm jumpers, and she can finish through contact. She also plays with a great motor. [player_tooltip player_id="239358" first="Madison" last="Wagner"], 2024, Carroll H.S. (Flora), PAC Flight North Rise I really like Madison's size, strength, and versatility on the wing. She is a solid all-around athlete, and she can play a variety of roles. If needed, she can get inside and defend, rebound, or score it in the mid-post. She can push the ball in transition, even start the offense, and she can score it at all three levels. Vanessa Wimberly, 2025, Lake Central H.S., Gym Rats-Walker We won't post our first 2025 watch list until late June, but you can believe Vanessa will be on there. She isn't very big, about 5-3, but she's long for her size, incredibly quick/fast, and she's just a playmaker. She is always willing to find others and create, but she can hit shots outside or get to the basket and finish. Kamrah Banks, 2026, Franklin Central H.S., Gym Rats-Walker When you watch Kamrah with her 15U team, you think she's a Top-5 2024, until you realize she's still a 7th Grader. She has a mature game, to go along with good size and wiry strength at 5-7. She's athletic and shifty, and she is incredibly quick with the ball. She has already heard from several high-major Division-I schools.