The Indy Clash: 2024 Division Standouts

This past weekend, there were a ton of talented teams and players competing at the Indy Clash. Unfortunately, I didn't get to watch all of those teams and players, but I did catch quite a few of the games in the 2024 division and there were some players that instantly grabbed my attention. Let's take a look at those players and what stood out to me about their games. <h5><strong>Aysha Sutton | Kentucky Premier 16U West</strong></h5> Sutton's ball handling and passing skills really caught my eye almost instantly. She made some really impressive passes, even through traffic. She's got good speed and athleticism, and she uses the length in her arms really well. Sutton really did a great job of getting into the paint and making things happen. She's a threat as a shooter, but she's constantly looking to draw help defense so that she can kick it to the open player. She also impressed me with her shot blocking abilities. <h5><strong>Ashlyn Dyson | SMAC Believe</strong></h5> Dyson did a fantastic job of switching up moves and types of passes so that the defense couldn't predict what she was doing next. She made some really good moves around the rim, but she forces a defense to stretch as she is also an outstanding outside shooter. Dyson's got good strength and active hands on defense. She also consistently crashed the boards hard. <h5><strong>Quinn Johnston | Stars Basketball Club Kaye</strong></h5> Johnston might have been the most pure shooter of the weekend. She was on fire from deep. There were multiple games where she knocked down at least 3 3-pointers in a short window, so I'd love to see how many she hit total in those games. She also was very active on defense, constantly looking to read the passing lanes and come up with steals. <h5><strong>Ava Heller | Ohio Future Whitt</strong></h5> Heller's willingness to stay active every second she's on the floor is what really stood out to me. The effort was impressive, but she was just solid in everything she did. She was a really good defender and she's a triple threat on the other end. She's very controlled on her drives and she made some phenomenal passes. Her floor vision was high level and she was smart on her drives. Heller can draw fouls and knock down free throws. She also was a good outside shooter. <h5><strong>Paizley Cool | IGB 16U/15U</strong></h5> Cool did a good job of getting the ball in the paint, squaring up to the rim, and driving past her defender. She drew fouls and was catching the ball in traffic with 2-3 defenders on her. Cool really impressed me on the defensive end as well. She showed that she can guard any position on the floor and she's a phenomenal shot blocker. <h5><strong>Abby Varney | Kentucky Premier 16U West</strong></h5> Varney's versatility really shined when I watched her play. Her post moves impressed me so much that I assumed she was a natural post player at first, but then I watched her dribble it the length of the floor through traffic and knew she was so much more than that. She does not shy away from contact at all and she makes some really great box outs. Varney doesn't just box out strong either, but rather, she releases at the right moments and she goes after every rebound. She's got good form on her shot and made some fantastic shot fakes as well. <h5><strong>Mia Braffet | Kentucky ICE Select</strong></h5> Braffet got my attention almost instantly, so when I saw she was in the class of 2027, I was shocked. She looked like an experienced veteran out there and her age just made her game even more impressive. She's strong with the ball and she crashes the boards hard. She did an excellent job of getting to the rim as well. She fights when she's out there and she's definitely a player to watch, especially since she's got the rest of this year and a whole other school year before she even enters high school.