South Bend Buzz

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='369824' first='Lauren' last='Walsh'] (2024) of Penn 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. Saint Joseph and Elkhart Counties combined, plus the surrounding areas, have produced some of the state's better teams over the past few years. They possess talent, and a great deal of that talent hidden from year to year, so here is a look at who headlines each class in the area.</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>The Class of 2024 in the South Bend/Elkhart area has a really nice balance of talent for next season, and it seems like dynamic duos headline the region. 6-2 Goshen post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177328' first='Kyra' last='Hill']</strong> is a 2023 Junior All-Star and stands atop the group with her strong interior play, though she is currently working through an injury. Elkhart has a talented and athletic backcourt, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='369826' first='Samiyah' last='Stout']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='369836' first='Jaya' last='Johnson']</strong>. Stout is a dynamic playmaker and scorer with the ball in her hands, and she is one of the state's better guards. Johnson is a really nice run &amp; jump athlete who can make plays inside and out. Northridge brings a nice pair of players to the table in guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177318' first='Morgan' last='Cross']</strong> and forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201872' first='Gaby' last='Gates']</strong>. Cross can play either backcourt spot and is a nice perimeter shooter, while Gates is a versatile inside-out threat and a strong athlete. The duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='326492' first='Mariah' last='Stoltzfus']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='338899' first='Zoe' last='Willems']</strong> put themselves on the map this February, leading Bethany Christian to the Class 1A State Finals. Stoltzfus is a tough-nosed, dynamic playmaker who brings her heart and soul to the court every game. Willems is a multilevel shot-maker who can play much bigger than her 5-7 frame might suggest. Guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239359' first='Justyce' last='Williams']</strong> helped the Jimmies to nine wins last season, their most since the 2010-2011 season. Williams is another athletic guard, and she has already verbally committed to Indiana's Bethel University. Also keep an eye on Penn point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='369824' first='Lauren' last='Walsh']</strong>. She is a transplant from North Carolina, but she has made Northern Indiana home the last two years, and she is a really nice, traditional point guard colleges will definitely enjoy.</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>Despite the graduation of three Indiana All-Stars between the 2022 and 2023 classes, South Bend Washington remains strong behind an incredibly talented 2025 class. Headlining that group is 6-4 inside-out forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295770' first='Kira' last='Reynolds']</strong>. She has tremendous skill, great athletic talent, and she can affect the game in many different ways. Forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295766' first='Monique' last='Mitchell']</strong> and guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295780' first='Ryiah' last='Wilson']</strong> have seen their college interest skyrocket following two strong "live" periods this Spring. Mitchell is a talented run &amp; jump athlete who can play at all three levels effectively. Wilson is a fast and athletic point guard who can defend the ball 84-feet, plus she's quite the creator offensively. But that's not all for the Lady Panthers. 6-2 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='335982' first='Zion' last='Belcher-Arill']</strong> moved in from Michigan early this past season and contributes the combination of size, strength, and skill, while 5-11 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324081' first='Ayanna' last='Nicholson']</strong> is another strong and physical front-liner who adds rebounding and a defensive presence. Also standing out this Spring is Penn guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295795' first='Jessa' last='Troy']</strong>. She has a long-running reputation as a perimeter shooter, but she is also a strong and physical perimeter player who has developed into a solid on-the-ball option offensively and can play anywhere in the backcourt. Another intriguing prospect is 6-1 front-liner <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570370' first='Claire' last='Payne']</strong> of NorthWood. She is a multisport athlete, but she is a potential double-double machine on the basketball court.</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>There are a few nice prospects in the Class of 2026, maybe not nearly as loaded at the top as 2024 or 2025, but still several ladies worth a hard look for colleges. Northridge wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624876' first='Camryn' last='Conley']</strong> might be the most intriguing of the bunch. She is extremely long, fluid, and fairly smooth athletically, plus she is a dangerous perimeter shooter when she's able to get her feet set and find rhythm. Fairfield wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567137' first='Eva' last='Herbert']</strong> has some similarities to Conley, and Herbert saw quite a bit of opportunity as a Freshman for a very good Fairfield team that made it to Indianapolis in February. Another prospect I've thoroughly enjoyed watching this spring is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624884' first='Shaniyah' last='Stout']</strong>, the younger sister of Samiyah (<em>2024 above</em>). Shaniyah is a strong, physical forward, who can play at all three levels. She can rebound and defend the interior, she can score it from the mid-post, and she's somewhat comfortable around the perimeter as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->