‘24 Spring Eval Newcomers: Oliver Twist

Many new faces have entered the ’24 class. Through prospects reclassifying or me out at events and seeing players for the first time, the class of ’24 list has ballooned to 260. Below are some of the newcomers to my spring evaluation.   #3 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-447355" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/5B37ED67-5AB9-44F0-B621-1AD81A455993-crop-1440x946-1655517255-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="184020" first="Grace" last="Oliver"]| Lady Rivals| 6’2’’|PF Oliver has been incredible all spring and has elevated her game to another dimension. It is safe to say she has become the most impactful defender in ’24 between her emphatic shot-blocking and intimidating perimeter closeouts. Oliver has also developed into a versatile offensive player who can dominate on the block and create shots from the wing. Her jump shooting has improved, and she has been one of the most valuable players on the Lady Rivals 17u 3SSB team.   #14 [player_tooltip player_id="298197" first="Chloe" last="Sotell"]| Empire State| 5’10’’|CG Sotell stands out from many prospects in ’24 because she is one of the few non-top 10 players who picked up multiple college offers this spring. The lefty sharpshooting guard will light up anyone from the outside and has the size to take advantage of mismatches at both guard spots. She has the ultimate green light on offense and efficiently fills up the scoring column. When talking to coaches about Sotell, they love her mental toughness, work ethic, and approach to the game.   #43 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-447353" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/64C4F309-C8F2-4ED1-9391-14AE1AF7A1A1-crop-1440x946-1655517167-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="422814" first="Kelli" last="Cieplicki"] | Lone Wolf|5’9’’|SG When it comes to diverse offensive packages, there is no one more unique at the off-guard spot than Cieplicki. She is patient and stealthy when attacking and plays through contact. Cieplicki is crafty getting into the paint and scores consistently off two feet. I never feel like Cieplicki is off balance or out of control when in pursuit of the basket. She is as tactical as anyone with the ball in their hands.   #50 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-447351" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/0FFE5FB3-93FA-463D-82EB-53EE9B6E9373-crop-1537x1010-1655517120-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="436155" first="Pauline" last="Vlahakis"]|CBC|6’4’’|PF When you see Vlahakis on the court, you assume she is your classic back-to-the-basket post. However, what makes her so impactful is that you can run the offense through her in the high post. I love how unselfish she is and how she moves the ball in the halfcourt. Vlahakis also can stretch the floor and consistently hit mid-range shots.   #59 [player_tooltip player_id="446541" first="Brennan" last="Doran"]|Maine Attraction|6’1’’|SF/PF Doran is a combo forward who is a mismatch on the wing because she has the speed and athleticism to blow past big forwards and the size, length, and shooting touch to overpower smaller guards. I saw Doran in Atlantic City, and she showed her effectiveness in transition by being shot-ready and burying trail three-pointers throughout the game.   #82 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-447350" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/A4B9322D-AAE9-4268-BE1C-DECF04747F42-crop-1440x946-1655517077-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="425033" first="Lauren" last="Thompson"]|CBC|5’6’’|CG I saw Thompson a couple of times this spring, but at the New England Showcase was when I felt like she played her most impressive basketball. It was all about how Thompson was impacting the game defensively. Thompson’s hands were active, and she crowded the ball handler to discomfort, resulting in some turnovers. Thompson trusted her foot speed and kept her assignment in front of her when they would try to get downhill.   #91 [player_tooltip player_id="446560" first="Caitlyn" last="Rea"] | NY Lightning Hart|5’10’’|SF I haven’t seen much of Rea in person, but it is hard not to like her profile and skill set on film. A strong body wing who can handle the ball, rebound, and defend is the prospect who will always get my attention. Rea has a high motor, is an active help-side defender, and is a dynamic slasher with good footwork. Rea is a prospect I am eager to learn more about this summer.   #102 [caption id="attachment_447347" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/5755804A-3EFD-494D-8E1F-FCC86A415F20-crop-1537x1010-1655516969.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-447347" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/5755804A-3EFD-494D-8E1F-FCC86A415F20-crop-1537x1010-1655516969-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Anna Kitch[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="446542" first="Sydney" last="McLaughlin"]|NE Crusaders|5’10’’|SG McLaughlin fills her role beautifully for the Crusaders by being a reliable defender and three-point shooter. Whenever I saw McLaughlin enter the game, she would aggressively pick up the opposing team’s most dangerous offensive player. She runs the floor well, beats the defense down the court, and gets to her spots, ready to shoot. Her spacing opens the court up for her teammates, and she is automatic from the corner.   #114 [player_tooltip player_id="328517" first="Caroline" last="McConaghy"]| MA Huskies|5’10|SG After announcing that she will be attending Northfield Mt. Hermon in the fall, McConaghy entered the ’24 rankings. I watched her on a few occasions this spring, and I think she has the chance to move higher on this list after the summer because of her shooting and intangibles. Three-point shooting comes easy for McConaghy; she can elevate over the defense and shoot confidently when contested. I also like how engaged McConaghy is throughout the game. Whether she is communicating loud on defense or from the bench, McConaghy is always dialed in.