Windmill City Weekend: 2025’s On The Rise (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This NCAA Live High School event hosted by Batavia High School (shout out Kevin Jensen!) has been amazing from the start. 70+ teams, over 100 games played so far. The talent is here and its from all over the state. My focus this weekend was on the 2025's &amp; they didn't disappoint. Below are my top 25's on the rise! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Updated Rankings will be released June 21st. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["663970"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":673715,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eTroia possess a ton of skill that is seen the moment she touches the ball. She can operate in the half court, knockdown open shots from the midrange to the arc (a couple steps back as well), while also having the patience and vision to be a key facilitator. Strong potential for Emily.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["629556"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eOne of my favorite players to watch on Day 1 and Day 2.. Lily seems to have no agenda when it comes to playing. She does whatever the team needs and does it well. Nice form and release from behind the arc, secure and solid with the ball in her hand, and a strong passer. Her IQ and and awareness are high too. Makes the right play at the right time, knows when to make the extra pass and stays wide and long when she's playing in the zone.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["642563"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":673716,"_player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eReardone has the “IT”  factor, and her skill set is no where near its peak. A true 2-5 type of player who can produce in all facets of the game. Reganne has the shot making ability from post to perimeter, can score on the block due to her size and can defend multiple positions as well. Beyond versatile and highly active. Huge upside.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["624950"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eA do it all player who has the motor to be effective all game. Three levels of scoring (follows her shot on almost every attempt), moves well without the ball, and stays active on defensive end as well. Helms has strong vision matched with a high IQ.. and the passes she makes are crafty but needed.. and are pinpoint. A player for coaches to keep an a strong eye on.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["452852"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":673718,"_player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eThe length, the speed and the shot making ability is all there for Kennedy. Competitive is the best way to describe her game, she plays both sides of the ball with intensity and doesn't seem to slow down. Sally knows how to facilitate an offense, score within an offense and play within an offense even when it's not in her hand. Strong ball handling skills mixed with high IQ and court vision makes for a strong guard at the next level.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["508321"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":648934,"_player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eCarroll has all the skills of a true combo guard, mixed with some size as well. Multiple times throughout her games, she made key passes to get her players open, or passes that were necessary to finish the play. Riley can score from behind the arc and around the rim. She's tough on the defensive side of the ball and can play against multiple positions due to her strength and motor. Active and aware.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":673719,"_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Kaitlin Cassidy","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Peoria Notre Dame","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"Heart Of Illinois","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eCassidy just does everything at a high clip. Her attitude screams motivated and her play style is taylor-fitted for any type of offensive scheme. She can score from all levels, defend with purpose and aggression, and has the versatility and length to be just as effective on the defensive end as well. From post to perimeter she can be a problem for an offense. Blocks shots with no contact and knows which angles to take to stop paint attacks. Huge upside.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["352110"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eThe midrange game is not utilized enough in todays game.. but Ariella has that area down to a T. The pull up is perfect, the aggression and concentration to get to her spots is evident too. She plays the game to win, and her energy is there from start to finish. Defensively.. the intensity is there. She takes on the challenge to defend whoever needs to be stopped. A true all around combo guard that can stuff the box in all categories. Major potential and upside.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["636068"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eBoard collector. Van horn plays the game with energy the moment the ball is tipped off. Every loose ball is hers to get, every rebound Van horn fights to get in position. Crafty and strong around the rim and has the vision and muscle too make long but accurate passes out of the paint. The potential is growing.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["500610"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eGina had a hell of a sophomore year and she hasn't slowed down a bit. Attacks the paint with a purpose, can scores from the midrange to the arc.. but it's her motor off the ball and on defense that continues to keep me watching. She simply does it all. Athletic, versatile and a true all around basketball player. Davorija is making a case for one of the best guards in her class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648da8c6323df"} /-->