Class of 2023: Unanimous Upside

I am now focusing in on our 2023 kids who will be juniors this upcoming August; and boy do we have loads of them who bring some serious high-level ability to the court. Let’s also take out the microscope and binoculars to really get in there and see how each of these five players stand out, how skilled they are, their high-level knowledge for the game, and what they do game in and game out to make them significant future prospects in collegiate programs. Showtime!   [player_tooltip player_id="160548" first="Ke’Ayla" last="Madison"], 5’5, PG, WDM Roosevelt, 2023 When I look at a kid like Ke’Ayla, I see someone who has the capability and potential to ignite and have a scoreboard get caught on fire. What I mean by this is; with her quickness, overall athleticism, scoring ability, and passing dominance; she can be an integral ingredient in putting points on the board in terms of her scoring herself or her getting that amazing assist (dime) to a fellow teammate. With her quick first step and lightning jet speed; good things are bound to happen in the half court or transition. Her handle is good, and she can easily break down defenders to get to the rim and finish off the glass with either hand. Her 3-point shot is off the charts, and she can really stroke it with a tremendous release and form. She can also take the ball off the bounce and pull up for a mid-range jumper with no effort. What I like best about her game is her aggressiveness to get into the paint and create something. Whether that is a floater or runner in the lane, a nice pass to a teammate; she is always finding that way to make those digits on the scoreboard move up. Her quick hands can cause its own set of problems for opposing teams, as she can steal the ball in an instant and cause turnovers just like that. I would say this kid is a true point guard, and will become an even more terrific one as her career goes forward. Looking forward to catching more action of this kid as the months go on. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EskQKI4g4ps">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EskQKI4g4ps</a>   [player_tooltip player_id="63055" first="Jenna" last="Pitz"], 5’7, PG, Ankeny, 2023 This is another kid with just a really solid feel for the game with a high basketball IQ. Jenna displays the full package and is a highly skilled floor general. Do not go under screens on this 3-point assassin, as you will certainly pay. She is joining a couple of other kids in my top five players with the “purest strokes” in all three classes that I am currently covering. She can just flat out shoot it with a very pretty stroke. I am equally amazed with her floor game and how she sees the angles. Very rarely do you see a kid that has the ability to make passes right on the money in transition, and she does a good job of this. This proves her savvy and court sense. Her capability to rack up the assists (dimes) makes her an elite point guard. I like her athleticism and I think she utilizes it well too. Good things in store for this young facilitator. Looking forward to catching more action of this kid as the months go on. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13934980/Jenna-Pitz">https://www.hudl.com/profile/13934980/Jenna-Pitz</a> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-288190" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/Madison-Hillman.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> [player_tooltip player_id="160550" first="Madison" last="Hillman"], 6’0, PF, Saint Ansgar, 2023 I thoroughly enjoy watching post players that have a complete impact on the game. Right when I saw Madison play, I knew she was a talented inside player. This big can cause severe damage right when balls get delivered to her down low. She is best with her back to the basket, and has several post moves up her sleeve to fool defenses. She is a clever and intelligent player, and uses her size and strength to her advantage. I think she is very smooth, and has the athleticism to finish some tricky shots; as well as dish out some nifty passes to guards around the perimeter when she gets trapped inside. Her knowledge for the game is evident, and I like the way she plays both sides of the floor with the same effort. Her offensive capabilities carry over to the defensive end with outstanding rebounds and blocks. Warning call for all guards driving to the basket when Madison is in the lane, as she will (9 times out of 10) be blocking your shot with two long arms in the air stuffing it to an extreme extent. The sky is the limit, and I look forward to catching more action of this kid as the months go on. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13918985/Madison-Hillman">https://www.hudl.com/profile/13918985/Madison-Hillman</a> [caption id="attachment_293772" align="alignnone" width="326"]<img class=" wp-image-293772" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/06/Riley-Batta-4-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="326" height="184" /> Credit: Sean Donohue | Echo Images[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="127608" first="Riley" last="Batta"], 5’10, PF, South Central Calhoun, 2023 This one is probably on my top 10 list of most versatile players in all three classes. Riley is a standout hooper who you look at and just say, “She can play.” I believe her versatility both inside and out make her an incredible prospect. I see her as a stretch 4 player, as her guard skills on the perimeter are equally as good as her inside game. Most of her damage is done on the wing driving to the basket finishing talented drives, shooting the 3 ball, or even dishing out a great assist (dime) to a fellow teammate. This is another player with a high basketball IQ and good feel for the game. With her high skillset inside, she demolishes opposing bigs slicing through their bodies finishing difficult shots in the paint. I like her passing ability and she sees the floor very well, making her an even better overall player. Her size can be used to her advantage, as what she can do with that wing span and length is scary. Her capability to get steals, get hands on deflections, rebound the ball, block shots, and be just a pivotal presence on the defensive end one ups her too. The possibilities are endless with this kid, and I look forward to catching more action of her as the months go on. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13385694/Riley-Batta">https://www.hudl.com/profile/13385694/Riley-Batta</a> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-212300" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/124-Anna-Prouty-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="160552" first="Anna" last="Prouty"], 6’0, PF, Iowa City West, 2023 This kid is a lethal nightmare out on the court, and can establish chaos every possession on either end of the floor. I will start off with her uncanny ability to run the floor. This right here is an easy way to rack up points and blast the scoreboard. I watch her play and she is always running down the court in the open floor to get that easy two or the And 1. Anna's post moves inside are at a high-level and she mixes them up regularly to fool opponents. She is a tremendous finisher in the paint and does this very consistently. Her rebounding prowess is off the charts and she is a monster on the glass. Can also tally up the blocks too. Once again, a kid who just brings it every game with tenacity, aggressiveness, a winning mentality, and who will do the little things to get the W. I see great potential and a high-level overall player as years go on. Breakout performances in the works and I look forward to catching more action of her as the months go on. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13922255/Anna-Prouty">https://www.hudl.com/profile/13922255/Anna-Prouty</a>