Grassroots Introductions: Always 100
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Now that we are a month into the 2021 grassroots season, I wanted to take the time and introduce several of the state’s programs over the next couple of weeks. For a few of the bigger programs in 17U-15U, they…
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Continue ReadingNow that we are a month into the 2021 grassroots season, I wanted to take the time and introduce several of the state’s programs over the next couple of weeks. For a few of the bigger programs in 17U-15U, they will get their own articles, while some of the smaller programs and individual teams will be found later in articles summarizing the remaining teams in each of those age groups, 17U-15U. Below is a look at the Always 100 program. They have been around for quite a few years now and are centered out of Fort Wayne. They draw girls mostly from the Northeast corner of the state, however they have started to expand a lot more towards Indianapolis, South Bend/Elkhart, plus Northwest Ohio and Southern Michigan.
17U:
There are currently four teams in 17U for Always 100 , including Always 100 Elite, Always 100 Black, Always 100 White, and Always 100 -Todd. Always 100 Elite is the flagship team in 17U for Always 100 , but this year the team is comprised of just one 2022, while the remaining players are in the 2023 class. Olivia Smith Olivia Smith 5'4" | PG Fort Wayne South Side | 2022 State IN (2022) of Fort Wayne South Side is the lone Senior-to-be, and she is a 2021 Indiana Junior All-Star. She has already given a commitment to Eastern Michigan University. Ashlynn Brooke Ashlynn Brooke 5'7" | PG Pioneer | 2023 State IN (2023) of Pioneer and Renna Schwieterman Renna Schwieterman 6'0" | SF Jay County | 2023 State IN (2023) of Jay County are the two highest recruited prospects remaining on the team, as each has picked up multiple Division-I offers already. But the remainder of the roster is talented as well. Fort Wayne Carroll twins Saniya Jackson Saniya Jackson 6'0" | SF Fort Wayne Northrop | 2023 State IN (2023) and Nevaeh Jackson Nevaeh Jackson 6'0" | SF Fort Wayne Northrop | 2023 State IN (2023) look taller, stronger, and much more confident around the perimeter this year. High school teammate Taylor Fordyce Taylor Fordyce 5'10" | SG Carroll (Fort Wayne) | 2023 State IN (2023) has been outstanding as well this Spring. Homestead classmates Alison Stephens Alison Stephens 5'11" | SF Homestead | 2023 State IN (2023) and Molly Stock Molly Stock 5'7" | PG Homestead | 2023 State IN (2023) have logged two years of quality Varsity experience already and have some colleges buzzing. Madison Vice Madison Vice 5'5" | CG Central Noble | 2023 State IN (2023) of Central Noble also looks much more assertive this year. I have yet to see Mona Shores (MI) post Brooklyn McLemore (2023) yet this Spring, but Michigan is just now wrapping up their high school season. Despite being young, watch for this team to give several 17U teams fits this season.
Each year Larry Wright manages to put together solid, competitive teams who battle nearly everyone they face. This year he is responsible for both Always 100 Black and Always 100 White, as well as Always 100 United 16U (below). Always 100 Black is a really nice collection of ladies drawing a great deal of small college interest right now. Julia Mantyla Julia Mantyla 5'11" | SF Northridge | 2022 State IN (2022) of Northridge, Rebekah Marshall Rebekah Marshall 5'10" | SF Columbia City | 2022 State IN (2022) of Columbia City, and Maggie Keinsley Maggie Keinsley 5'10" | PF Homestead | 2022 State IN (2022) of Homestead really stand out as versatile wings/forwards who do a little of everything for this team. They also all play with tremendous motors. Post Abby Sanner Abby Sanner 6'2" | C Warsaw | 2022 State IN (2022) of Warsaw continues to improve and show glimpses of dominance around the block. Forward Annaka Nelson Annaka Nelson 6'0" | PF Fort Wayne Concordia | 2023 State IN (2023) of Fort Wayne Concordia is the lone youngster on this team, and she is a Division-I talent who can play inside-out. In the backcourt, Gracie Bobo Gracie Bobo 5'10" | SG Penn | 2022 State IN (2022) of Penn is their sniper, and she returns from last Summer along with versatile combo guard Colleen Miller Colleen Miller 5'7" | CG Northridge | 2022 State IN (2022) of Northridge. Newcomer Bailie Stephens Bailie Stephens 5'6" | PG Warsaw | 2022 State IN (2022) of Warsaw is a ball of energy at the point who should provide them with a nice boost in transition. Niles (MI) wing Amara Palmer (2022) is another Michigan kid who should be joining them soon.
Always 100 White is another nice squad made up of small college prospects. Lauren Leach Lauren Leach 5'10" | SF Angola | 2022 State IN (2022) of Angola has drawn a great deal of buzz amongst coaching circles for the last year now. The Penn duo of Gabrielle Hoover Gabrielle Hoover 6'2" | PF Penn | 2022 IN (2022) and Sydney Little Sydney Little 5'8" | SF Penn | 2022 State IN (2022) will help boost the interior play, though Little can play at all three levels. I also think Woodlan guard Dakotah Krohn Dakotah Krohn 5'7" | SG Woodlan | 2022 State IN (2022) has improved nicely since this time a year ago. And then there is the Always 100 -Todd team who has some similarities to the White group. Jessie Yelaska Jessie Yelaska 5'10" | PF John Glenn | 2022 State IN (2022) of John Glenn and Jazmyn Smith Jazmyn Smith 5'11" | PF West Noble | 2022 State IN (2022) of West Noble are a pair of inside-out forwards who can post or play facing the basket at times. Guards Emily Todd Emily Todd 5'7" | PG Norwell | 2022 State IN (2022) of Norwell and Kenzie Fuelling (2022) of Bellmont are two versatile, skillful ladies from neighboring Wells and Adams Counties. And Fort Wayne Carroll guard Brooke Pocock (2022) is a nice perimeter shooter who doesn’t need much space to be dangerous.
16U:
Despite many of their best 2023s playing “up”, there are still five Always 100 teams in the 16U division. They are Always 100 United, Always 100 Prime, Always 100 Lockdown, Always 100 Fire, and Always 100 Suns. Always 100 United is probably the most talented of this group, and that starts with Fairfield forward Brea Garber Brea Garber 6'0" | PF Fairfield | 2023 State IN (2023), who has already drawn a couple of Division-I offers because of her ability to shoot the ball at her size. But this group is deeper than that. Eva Fisher Eva Fisher 5'8" | SG Northridge | 2023 State IN (2023) of Northridge is a dynamic, athletic playmaker who can get to the rim or find teammates. Bailey Kelham Bailey Kelham 5'10" | SF Garrett | 2023 State IN (2023) of Garrett is new to this team, but she adds another talented athlete who can also shoot/score the ball from all three levels. Sydney Fream (2023) of Homestead is a hard-working forward who will battle for loose balls. High school teammate Hilary Adams (2023), plus guard Addison Ward Addison Ward 5'6" | PG Twin Lakes | 2023 State IN (2023) of Twin Lakes bring solid play to the backcourt. Adams is a quick little point guard, while Ward is a cerebral kid who can play on or off the ball and make shots outside.
Always 100 Prime is a hard-working group built around their perimeter play. Kaydence Mellott Kaydence Mellott 5'8" | SG Tippecanoe Valley | 2023 State IN (2023) of Tippecanoe Valley and Meghan Kiebel Meghan Kiebel 5'7" | SG Central Noble | 2023 IN (2023) of Central Noble are tough-nosed scorers who do it differently. Mellott is a nice shooter who can drive, while Kiebel is more of an aggressive driver who can knock down open shots. Abigail Rouse (2023) of Delta is a dynamic little guard who is quick and creative with the ball. Ella Haupert (2023) of Southwood has really grown her game in the last year, and she can score it from all over. Wing Kennedy Hayden Kennedy Hayden 5'9" | SF John Glenn | 2023 IN (2023) of John Glenn is intriguing because she’s still growing, and her best days are still ahead of her. For Always 100 Lockdown, there are a smaller team with several guards, but they do have a couple of girls who provide some size. One of those, forward Aubrie Swain (2023) of Fort Wayne Carroll, has shown versatility and nice upside so far this Spring. Lillie Cone (2023) is a really nice, steady point guard from DeKalb. I am still waiting on rosters for Always 100 Fire and Always 100 Suns.
15U:
15U is the biggest group of high school teams for Always 100 , as there are six teams in the program this year. They include Always 100 Elite, Always 100 -Paul, Always 100 Takeover, Always 100 -Gamble, Always 100 Knights, and Always 100 Phoenix. This Always 100 Elite group will also have eyes on them at all times, as Fort Wayne Snider point guard Jordyn Poole Jordyn Poole 5'6" | PG Fort Wayne Snider | 2024 State IN (2024) has already wracked up multiple Division-I offers, including two from Big Ten schools. High school teammates Joh’nea Donahue Joh’nea Donahue 5'8" | SG Fort Wayne Snider | 2024 State IN (2024) and Destini Craig Destini Craig 5'9" | PF Fort Wayne Northrop | 2024 State IN (2024) have also shown Division-I ability as well. Donahue is a nice, athletic, combo guard who can score it or create offense. Craig is a strong, bullish wing who can finish around the basket. But it’s six new additions who will help that trio take off this season. Zionsville twin forwards Sophia Poehlein and Isabelle Poehlein are extremely long, skilled, fluid, and versatile. Northeastern’s Addisen Mastriano Addisen Mastriano 6'3" | C Northeastern | 2024 State IN is a skilled and powerful post who also plays with versatility. Lauren Gerken (2024) of Liberty-Benton (OH) is another player who can dominate the mid-post or play around the perimeter some. Then there are guards Joirdyn Smith Joirdyn Smith 5'4" | CG Fishers | 2024 State IN (2024) and Morgan Cross Morgan Cross 5'7" | CG Northridge | 2024 State IN (2024) who add talent, skill, and toughness.
Always 100 -Paul is another talented, skillful group who are well-coached. Fort Wayne Carroll wing Alexis Castator Alexis Castator 6'1" | SG Fort Wayne Northrop | 2024 State IN (2024) is a really nice athlete who can do just about anything skillfully. She should see a lot of Division-I interest once she gets to play in front of coaches this Summer. Kyndra Sheets Kyndra Sheets 5'6" | PG Columbia City | 2024 State IN (2024) of Columbia City, Jersey Paul (2025) of Churubusco, and Emma Reust (2024) of Homestead are a trio of really nice guards who bring versatility to the backcourt. Sheets is the tough-nosed playmaker, Paul can shoot it with range or run offense, and Reust uses her length and fluidity well. Woodlan forward Taylor Kneubuhler Taylor Kneubuhler 6'0" | PF Woodlan | 2024 State IN (2024) is a long, fluidly athletic forward who can play inside-out. Always 100 Takeover is led by the backcourt duo of Kylie Caswell (2024) and Riley Pepple Riley Pepple 5'6" | SG Fort Wayne Northrop | 2024 IN (2024). Both are from Angola. Caswell is a quick little playmaking water-bug, while Pepple can shoot/score it or play a little point as well. A trio of bigs also stand out for this team. Lauryn Merritt Lauryn Merritt 6'4" | C Maconaquah | 2024 IN (2024) of Maconaquah is a developing, wiry strong athlete with low-block to mid-post skill. Brooke Karesh (2024) of Zionsville is more of a traditional back-to-the-basket post, while Tia Phinezy (2024) of Fort Wayne Snider is a long and athletic kid who can also play around the block or in the mid-post.
I also think the Always 100 -Gamble group has several intriguing prospects as well. Forward Macy Oberlin Macy Oberlin 6'0" | PF Angola | 2024 State IN (2024) of Angola gives them a long, bouncy athlete with inside-out versatility and nice upside. Combo guard Sophia Morrison Sophia Morrison 5'6" | CG Eastbrook | 2024 State IN (2024) had a strong Freshman season for Eastbrook, and she has a terrific jump-shot and a quick handle as well. Norwell guard Kennedy Fuelling Kennedy Fuelling 5'7" | CG Norwell | 2024 State IN (2024) is a really nice athlete with a wiry strong frame, while Goshen post Kyra Hill Kyra Hill 6'2" | C Goshen | 2024 State IN (2024) is a strong and athletic frontline presence, plus she’s the younger sister of University of Dayton signee Brynn Shoup-Hill Brynn Shoup-Hill 6'3" | C Goshen | 2021 State IN (2021). Columbia City guards Megan Baxter (2024) and Tessa Tonkel (2024) give this team a couple of strong, tough-nosed kids who can also make shots outside or handle the ball some too. I have not yet had the opportunity to see the Always 100 Knights yet, and I am still waiting on the roster for Always 100 Phoenix.