DCG Mustang Team Shootout: 5 Forwards/Centers Who Stood Out

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was a ton of great play over the past two day at the DCG Mustang Team Shootout by all types of players. Below I am going to highlight some forward/centers that shined in their contests, while helping their teams to victory. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Chesney Steenhoek - 2024 - C - Bondurant-Farrer High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chesney Steenhoek is a player that produced over the past two days, who I will be keeping an eye on when looking toward the season this winter. Steenhoek is a center with good balance and a solid frame. She works in the post with her back the basket the best, with a patented Up-And-Under move in her "bag", just in case. When it comes to rebounding she does a good job of knowing where the ball is going to land when it comes off of the rim, giving her a clear advantage against her opponents. This team has some pieces. If they work together and stay patient, it's going to be a good season to be a Bluejay. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='311351' first='Amani' last='Jenkins'] - 2025 - C - Johnston High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The debut of the 2023-2024 Johnston Dragons was exactly what you and everyone else would expect. They brought 15 players who could all play at the next level when given the right opportunity. They are highlighted in the middle with the #2 player out of the 2025 class in [player_tooltip player_id='311351' first='Amani' last='Jenkins'] for the next two season. Jenkins is a powerhouse in the paint. A player that will dominate you with size and then beat you with skill if you ever cut her off. She displayed scoring at all three levels these past two days while running the floor like a maniac. Some college out there is going to get a hell of a player in Jenkins. When she is motivated, with other skilled players around her, she is next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='246148' first='Kendall' last='McDaniel'] - 2024 - C - Des Moines-Valley High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a surprising twist, another big name out of the 2024 class in Iowa makes a transfer going into their senior year. That player is [player_tooltip player_id='246148' first='Kendall' last='McDaniel']. McDaniel is currently ranked as the #5 player throughout the 2024 class in Iowa, while being the #1 center in the class. This team prior to this move was a question mark for myself in the end but with the addition of McDaniels size and skill, the Tigers are going to be a real contender for a state championship this season. Over the past two days Kendall showed that she was a nice fit for this squad in the middle. She held her own and didn't seem to be out of place, which is what you worry about when it comes to a one year transfer. The duo of McDaniel and [player_tooltip player_id='246134' first='Elise' last='Jaeger'] is going to be one to remember this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Isabelle Nelson - 2024 - F/C - Nevada High School </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Isabelle Nelson showed a lot of promise in her teams contests over the past two days. A player that stands at around 6'2 with coordination and balance. Nelson just needs to get more comfortable with her size and the back to her basket. She works hard and isn't afraid of contact but really only goes over one shoulder, with one hand. Once she starts to balance everything out, she is going to be a weapon. Not to mention that she is the definition of a rim protector on defense. A player that other teams need to worry about once they beat their initial defenders. Nevada has 2 or 3 players that stand at 6FT or taller. All of them can score, handle, and rebound. I'm excited to see what this team can put together looking toward the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='793115' first='Erica' last='Rust'] - 2024 - PF/C - Harlen Community High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='793115' first='Erica' last='Rust'] was a top player that I wrote about yesterday but when we talk about centers that put together a really nice shootout, Rust is in that conversation. She played through contact, scored in bunches, and rebounded over most. When you consider her output during her teams contests, you are talking about one of the top players of the shootout in general. There isn't much more to say other than that. She understands her size and makes things happen. It'll be a really nice season for her Cyclones team if they can work the ball around the perimeter and find good openings for Rust in the meantime. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->