Pocket City Pulse

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='486561' first='Nya' last='Dame'] (2026) of Princeton Community High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the Spring grassroots season comes to an end and prospects return to their school teams for an intense month of June, I wanted to take the time to update some of the bigger areas of the state. Evansville is the third biggest city in Indiana, and the Pocket City is home to several quality basketball prospects. Below is a look at who headlines each class, and how those classes affect their region (<em>and surrounding counties</em>).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt">CLASS OF 2024<br></span></strong>With no one from the area currently in the Top-20, the 2024 class in Evansville is far from elite. However, there are several really nice prospects in the class, headlined by the Memorial duo of point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='556017' first='Avery' last='Kelley']</strong> and forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177332' first='Sophie' last='Johnson']</strong>. Kelley is a tough-nosed, skilled, and high IQ lead guard who recently committed to the University of Evansville. Johnson is an active and versatile player who can perform on the wing or in the mid-post. She was unfortunately injured in February and won't return until the 2023-2024 season. Just up the road at Gibson Southern is skillful and hard-working wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177324' first='Chloey' last='Graham']</strong>. She performs extremely well in the Lady Titan system and has proven to be an excellent perimeter shooter. Keep an eye on 5-10 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177320' first='Brylee' last='Delano']</strong> of Mater Dei, 5-7 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='264115' first='Norah' last='Miller']</strong> of Francis Joseph Reitz, and 5-7 point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455943' first='Molly' last='Schulte']</strong> of South Spencer. All three look to lead their programs during the upcoming high school season. Miller and Schulte have both been especially good when I've been able to see them this Spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt">CLASS OF 2025<br></span></strong>The Class of 2025 might be the deepest in the area at this time. Gibson Southern combo guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295774' first='Gabby' last='Spink']</strong> leads the way, as she can knock down shots, create off the bounce, plus she is a willing and capable passer. Long and athletic guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295767' first='Avah' last='Montgomery']</strong> of Southridge is still somewhat of a hidden gem in the area, but she has noticeable talent and skill, and she might still grow another 2-3 inches late in her career like her older siblings. Memorial wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295756' first='Myla' last='Browning']</strong> has looked much stronger and more physical this Spring, while Castle point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324084' first='Jordan' last='Scott']</strong> is an absolute playmaker from the top of the key. All four of the aforementioned players reside in our Top-50 for 2025 at this time. Just outside of that group are 6-5 post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295791' first='Kaelyse' last='Mitchell']</strong> of Francis Joseph Reitz and 6-0 front-liner <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='366796' first='Hannah' last='Bledsoe']</strong> of Barr-Reeve. Mitchell is a big, strong, physical post, while Bledsoe is an extremely long, fluid, and somewhat bouncy prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt">CLASS OF 2026<br></span></strong>I also think the 2026 group in The Pocket is one to keep an eye on, as there are a number of "fringe" kids who could really take off with a little more skill and/or strength added to their game. 6-0 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492324' first='Madalynn' last='Shirley']</strong> has played "up" this Spring and been successful. She is highly skilled around the block and in the mid-post, plus she can knock down an open 3-pointer. Castle wing/forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486494' first='Jayden' last='Scott']</strong> teams with her sister (<em>above</em>) for the Lady Knights, but she has a unique game of her own. She is long, athletic, and more of an inside-out threat right now. Guard/wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='534674' first='Emily' last='Parker']</strong> of Boonville made her mark immediately this past Winter, and she can play multiple roles at both ends of the floor. Also keep in mind the young backcourt duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486561' first='Nya' last='Dame']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486492' first='Ailie' last='Taylor']</strong> at Princeton Community High School. The Lady Tigers are in good hands with those two for three more seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->