Hidden Gems in Chicago's West Suburbs

  With tournaments and games coming up soon, open gym sessions this month have been a way for these young women to showcase their game before returning to their respective teams. Coach and Professional Trainer David Brown out of St Charles, IL, holds an elite 2-hour open gym run every Friday night at the "Premium Athletes Court" in St Charles, IL. This open gym run has been attended by recent signees and prospects such as Greta Kamschroeder, [player_tooltip player_id="123571" first="Elana" last="Wells"], [player_tooltip player_id="123567" first="Kelby" last="Bannerman"], [player_tooltip player_id="123408" first="Taris" last="Thornton"] just to name a few! Listed below are a few names to be on the lookout for! These girls came through and showed out. Remember these names! <img class=" wp-image-297848" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/06/IMG_7791-198x300.jpeg" alt="" width="177" height="269" /> <strong>Reagen Sipla | 2024 SG | St Charles North</strong> At 6’1 Reagans length is just the first thing that sets her apart from her opponents. She has a consistent but efficient pace to her game, that allows her to contribute on both ends of the court. Her long arms and the grit/grind mentality she possesses are her main weapons. On the defensive side of the ball, she can jump passing lanes, block shots, and also guard the 1-4 with no issue. Her offensive skill set is a show within itself. She can stretch the floor, attack the paint and also run the offense if needed. Reagans work ethic is special as well too, whether it's practice, training, or even hustling every single possession during the game. She wants to be better, which means she will be better.   <img class="wp-image-297850 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/06/7AED927F-0B70-49BE-9D27-46E5944BF2E4-216x300.jpg" alt="" width="217" height="301" /> <strong>Jadaya Branch |2024 PG| Schaumburg High</strong> Within the first 3-5 possessions of Jadaya having the ball, I got flashbacks of watching Aari Mcdonald at Arizona. Jadaya is a do it all point guard, but her vision is something that can't be taught. Her instincts of finding the open player seems to just come naturally. Her high IQ mixed with her strong ball handling skills have awarded her many accolades throughout her young career. Her aggressive switch isn't always on due to her wanting to always move the ball, but when it's flicked, WATCH OUT. Jadaya coming downhill is a scary sight. Reach she will teach, sag off and she’ll let it fly. If she's coming down with wing players, keep your head on a swivel, cause she WILL make a play. On defense, she's a pest in the most positive way. She gets up under her man, stays disciplined and alert. She's going to take her Varsity squad at Schaumburg to new heights, the same way she did the freshman team.   [player_tooltip player_id="265987" first="Magdalena" last="Sularski"] | 2024 Combo Guard | Benet Academy <img class="size-medium wp-image-297853 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/06/40DDBB9F-C262-4254-A965-E417F7011EF7-242x300.jpg" alt="" width="242" height="300" />When you train to be better than who's standing across from you, then you end up seeing results. Maggie’s game screams that. While being 5’10 she moves throughout the court with grace, but with a confident and aggressive attitude. Her triple threat is top tier. Either she’ll jab step you out of your shoes or size you up and hit you with a smooth right to left cross over that’ll leave you in the dust. Her finishing at the rim ability is impressive as well too. She's right-hand dominant but can finish with either hand no matter if the contact is there or not. On top of her being able to finish with ease, her unselfishness matched with her vision is a problem for any game plan set against the team. If you're open, she’ll find you. If you’re not, she’ll toy with the defense and get you open. There's no ceiling for her offensive talent.     [player_tooltip player_id="265986" first="Emilia" last="Sularski"] | 2024 Combo Guard | Benet Academy <img class="size-medium wp-image-297852 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/06/0244B9E1-A252-45B4-9933-7EB8456A31E7-240x300.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="300" />"I'm open, even when I'm not open" This is the quote that came to mind when Emilia checked in and rang off some deep threes. Don't be fooled, like her twin sister Maggie (pictured above), she can slice and dice and finish at the rim if needed. Except her game, comes with a Katie Lou Samuelson like torch. There's no telling on how or when she will get her shot off. Whether it's off the dribble, pullup, or catch and shoot. Her release is quick and consistent which allows her to be creative when wanting to get a bucket from 19ft out and further. When shes driving beware of what I like to call the "Sularski Spin". It’ll end up as a bucket off an attempt or an assist. The aggression she shows when she's looking to let it fly is the same when her team is trying to get a stop. If her shot isn't falling, which is rare, her defensive skills will go into another gear.     [player_tooltip player_id="148142" first="Aspen" last="Weeks"] | 2023 "High Caliber" Combo Guard | Aurora Christian <img class="size-medium wp-image-297851" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/06/56AA4B02-8826-4C0A-BF63-6B68BB29E41C-271x300.jpg" alt="" width="271" height="300" /> Though she's far from a "Hidden Gem", Top 25 guard Aspen has talent that will rocket her into that Top 5-10 range very soon. Her offensive skillset is well documented. However, her defense could be the main reason why her game is so advanced. She defends at a high level. Allowing her instincts and feel of the court to gain steals, disrupt plays, and create offensive breaks. When those offensive breaks are created, she’s usually the one finishing. She plays at a tempo that can't be taught. She uses 1-2 moves to get where she needs to go. While finishing at the rim the contact never seems to bother her. She's crafty but she doesn't shy away from those hard hits and bumps. Her footwork from the paint on out is something to watch as well. Jab step here, shimmy shake there, maybe a pump fake? Then bang, there goes a bucket. She has all the tools in her bag to propel her up to that golden Top 10 conversation. She's very humble, so if these words don't do her justice, google her.        