Class of 2021 DI Signees: Let’s Get the Party Started

It seems like just yesterday; walking into your first high school class as a little, tiny, small, meek freshman on a sunny August morning. No question there is excitement; however, there are also some nerves and maybe even some fears. You see the upperclassmen walking the halls, are in a completely new building with new faces, are getting ready to start new classes, etc. You then approach your first high school basketball season in November. You are thrilled to take that step of playing basketball at the high school level, and playing against some great competition. You then find yourself moving through your high school basketball career quicker than you hoped and imagined, and that is it. No rewinds, no second chances, no going back and changing anything. You ask yourself, “Did I give it my all? Do I have any regrets? Did I realize how fast this time flies and this given opportunity might be it? Did I cherish the memories with teammates and coaches? Well, if you think about it for a minute, this all is very true. The state tournament appearances, the championships, the trophies, the laughs, the cries, the hurt; it all is truly the journey of being a high school basketball player. This is what makes it so memorable and unforgettable. So you walk into your high school gym and you bounce that ball once more and you say, “Man, this was the time of my life.”   In this article, I am stepping aside from current high school kids and going to do an in-depth analysis on a couple of players who will be continuing their careers at DI schools this fall who just finished their season this year. Their fun, party, and thrill is just the grand opening; but that is no reason for any of them to forget their success and achievements they accomplished as a high school player, as what they did both on and off the court as a hooper will stay with them, be their shadow, will always hold a special place in their heart, and will be the guardian angel always on their side wherever they go. Never forget what you did, as that makes you into the person and player you are and will become.   The future is bright for all 2021 high school graduates who will be heading off to colleges this upcoming fall. Your glory days as a high school baller will be staring back at you in the mirror, and are memories to cherish every chance you get. Let’s take a look at five selected incoming freshmen in the state of Iowa that will begin their DI careers the 2021-2022 season. They all will most likely arrive on campus sometime early this summer, and will be getting ready to have an immediate impact on each of their teams by performing well in workouts and practices throughout the offseason. Let’s get going down the sled now, as it would take me from this present time now until the snow hits us in December; to hit the bottom of the hill and to discuss how beneficial and successful these players will be in each program at the collegiate level. So let’s get this going Clark!   <img class="alignnone wp-image-16043" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2018/10/Grace-Larkins-300x216.jpg" alt="" width="306" height="220" /> <ol> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">[player_tooltip player_id="13861" first="Grace" last="Larkins"], 5’10, F, 2021. Signed: University of South Dakota</li> </ol> --Grace is one talented, innate, instinctual athlete. Her future is bright, and the sky is the limit of what she has the ability to accomplish on the court in years to come at the University of South Dakota. She will thrive playing in the Summit League, where there is tons of top notch competition. What caught my eye right away was her superb athleticism. She is a lanky kid, and can cause serious disruption on both ends of the floor. She does a lot of damage in the paint, but is a great ball handler and can take the ball to the rim with ease to make her a pivotal wing on the perimeter. She is a great finisher, and can finish with no effort in the half court and in transition. Her post moves are at a high-level, and she is very shifty with them. She also can shoot the 3 ball and has a tremendous shot. She can get in passing lanes and pick off passes very quickly, and her length is lethal. A very good rebounder as well. I see her being a critical piece in the South Dakota lineup as a freshman, and I think she will fit in terrific with their system. I could see her being a stretch four player, which means she can play out on the perimeter with her great guard skills, but also can be a beast down low. Do not forget to follow and watch Grace’s upcoming season as a true first-year Coyote! Do work, Grace! <img class="alignnone wp-image-65550" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2019/07/Katie-Dinnebier-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="270" height="270" /> 2. [player_tooltip player_id="64741" first="Katie" last="Dinnebier"], 5’7, PG, 2021. Signed: Drake University --Katie is a lightning quick, energy packed point guard who is a fun one to watch on the court. Her quickness is unbelievable and will only be getting better as she goes throughout her career at Drake U. She is very talented, and is a facilitator that can surely put the ball in the net. I first noticed her 3-point shot, and what caught my attention was how quick her release was. That will be a lethal and crucial dimension of her game which will be a definite asset as she plays in the MVC. Her athleticism is second to none, and she is a snake and thief on the defensive end getting into passing lanes and picking up the steals. Those are loads of easy buckets coming her way, and there is no question this will carry over to her play at the collegiate level; as her quick hands and feet are outstanding. Her passing ability is great, and I like her unselfishness. She will be a thrilling addition to the Drake lineup as a freshman. She fits in well with their system too. Dinnebier was named Miss Basketball this season, as her team finished off an incredible year winning the 5A state championship, where she was named captain of the 5A All-Tournament team. This shows her leadership skills, and how much of a proven winner and champion she is. Do not forget to follow and watch Katie’s upcoming season as a true first-year Bulldog! Do work, Katie! <img class="alignnone wp-image-65551" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2019/07/Audrey-Koch-e1562616134521-290x300.jpg" alt="" width="246" height="254" /> 3. [player_tooltip player_id="13885" first="Audrey" last="Koch"], 5’11, F, 2021. Signed: Providence University --Audrey is another lanky, high-level, pure athlete with tons of natural skill. There are many comparisons that can be seen between her and Grace. Audrey can finish at the rim and thrives in transition. With her wing span, she can create tons of havoc on both ends of the floor. She’s a great shooter, and can stroke the 3 ball well. There is no doubt in my mind she will have a lot of success competing in the Big East. Her capability to play out on the wing, but also play inside makes her a huge asset. She also runs the floor well and can rack up the easy buckets in a hurry. Her ability to rack up the boards is essential as well. She will make an impact in the lineup as a freshman at Providence U., and fits in with their style and system. She will flourish at the DI level. Do not forget to follow and watch Audrey’s upcoming season as a true first-year Friar! Do work, Audrey! <img class="alignnone wp-image-65552" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2019/07/Riley-Wright.jpg" alt="" width="329" height="220" /> 4. [player_tooltip player_id="13867" first="Riley" last="Wright"], 5’10, PG, 2021. Signed: University of Northern Iowa --It is so amazing and soothing to cover fellow Marion HS kids; as I am a Marion alumni myself. I will be covering [player_tooltip player_id="131129" first="Ella" last="Van Weelden"] next. I also covered [player_tooltip player_id="129014" first="Sadie" last="Struchen"], a 2022 grad of Marion HS, in one of my first articles. Riley is a high-caliber guard. She primarily plays the point guard position, but with her size, she can play out on the wing as a two or three guard as well. She will be a high-level player in the MVC. Her knack and ability to get to the rim and finish in the seams and through several defenders is incredible. Her aggression and tenacity is very evident. She can score at will, and when you need a bucket when the game is on the line, set a play up for Riley. She can shoot the 3 ball, and has a great shot. She has a high basketball IQ, and is a good passer. She can set teammates up for great shots. With her athleticism and size, she can create damage on both ends of the floor. She can also rack up the steals and reboudnds. She will thrive in Coach Warren’s program, and the coaching staff will love her style of play. She will do big things at UNI, and will be an integral dimension of the lineup as a freshman. Do not forget to follow and watch Riley’s upcoming season as a true first-year Panther! Do work, Riley!   5. [player_tooltip player_id="131129" first="Ella" last="Van Weelden"], 5’10, G/F. Signed: Valparaiso University --Ella is a talented guard who has a very versatile game going. She can shoot the 3 ball with consistency, and can rack them up consecutively. She can also put the ball on the bounce and also get to the rim. She will be an excellent player in the MVC, and Valpo is getting a top-notch player. She can do just as much damage on the defensive end as she does on the offensive end. She can create chaos by getting her long arms on passes, and can also rack up the boards. She is knowledgeable of the game, and has a high basketball IQ. She will come right into University of Valparaiso’s program and be an essential dimension of their lineup as a freshman. Do not forget to follow and watch Ella’s upcoming season as a true first-year Crusader! Do work, Ella!