Run 4 The Roses: 17U (Part-1)

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='331815' first='Denyha' last='Jacobs'] (2024) of Warren Central High School and [program_tooltip program_id='712628' first='Lady' last='Team Teague'] 17U.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the stretch of July 6 through July 11, many of Indiana's top prospects and grassroots teams found themselves in Louisville, Kentucky, at some point, participating in either the Run 4 Roses Classic (<em>July 6-8</em>) or the Run 4 Roses Championship (<em>July 9-11</em>), or possibly both tournaments. With more than 150 Indiana grassroots teams in attendance, it was improbable to see everyone for a duration long enough to offer a fair evaluation, so I focused more so on the teams I was less familiar with. Below is a look at seven young ladies who participated in one of the 17U divisions and stood out because they either (a) made a good first impression, or (b) they played better than expected.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331815' first='Denyha' last='Jacobs'], 2024, 5-7 W, Warren Central H.S., [program_tooltip program_id='712628' first='Lady' last='Team Teague'] 17U</strong><br>- Denyha is a strong, physical, crafty wing prospect who began her career at Lawrence Central, before transferring to Warren Central this past season. She is sort of an offensive-minded point forward, she is a nice North/South athlete who can get downhill quickly, and she understands how to finish around length. She has continued working on her touch outside, and that improvement makes her more of a threat, but she is primarily a playmaker who can create for herself or others off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177348' first='Maddie' last='Nipper'], 2024, 5-5 PG, Charlestown H.S., [program_tooltip program_id='714250' first='Indiana' last='Pride']-Duke 17U</strong><br>- There are certain kids it seems like you see everywhere you go, so it will be strange not seeing Maddie on the circuit next Spring. She is a quietly tough-nosed, feisty, and competitive kid. She can fill it up outside with limited space, and she's crafty off the bounce, creating offense for herself or others. She is strong at her size, has nice quickness, and always plays with a motor. She has also improved her ability to defend the ball this Spring &amp; Summer, and she appeals to a lot of the better small colleges.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='572796' first='Ciara' last='Sims'], 2024, 5-8 W, Fort Wayne Snider H.S., [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100']-Wright Red 17U</strong><br>- I mentioned the other day that you were going to be hearing about Ciara again, and she has been one of my favorite prospects to cover over the last couple of months. She is long and athletic, she always plays with a motor, and she figures out different ways to contribute each game. She rebounds her position well, she can attack the basket to score, and while she might not be a "shooter", she can make critical shots late in games. I also really like her defensive versatility, and her ability to defend the ball effectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='326484' first='Alexis' last='Warren'], 2024, 6-1 C, Pike H.S., [program_tooltip program_id='712550' first='[program_tooltip program_id='712550' first='[program_tooltip program_id='712550' first='IGB' last='']' last='']' last=''] GUAA 17U</strong><br>- Alexis is a nice-sized, powerful, and physical lefty post. At this level, she can be unique to defend, because she operates on the opposite block of most posts, and she uses her left hand to finish almost exclusively. She is a nice athlete at her size, and she seeks contact and can create space with her strength down low. Alexis has some touch in the mid-post as well, and she can put it on the floor one to two dribbles and get to the basket. Defensively, she is a physical rebounder and a presence deterring shot attempts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='572814' first='Ava' last='Wilson'], 2024, 5-8 F, Shelbyville H.S., [program_tooltip program_id='712570' first='Indiana's' last='Best'] Red 17U</strong><br>- Ava had a breakout season for Shelbyville this past Winter, and she has continued her strong play throughout the grassroots season. She has a solid, physical frame, she plays much bigger than she is, and she can score, rebound, and defend around the paint. At the same time, she has a developing handle, touch from 3-point range, and the ability to put up points at all three levels. Even more, she competes with an outstanding, nonstop motor, so she outworks most of her matchups regularly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486478' first='Caroline' last='Quigley'], 2026, 6-2 F/C, Noblesville H.S., West Virginia Thunder-Riego 17U</strong><br>- From the time I first saw her nearly a year ago until now, "C.C." has gotten taller, stronger, and more fluid athletically. She is playing with so much more confidence and decisiveness now, and that earned her some quality minutes late in the high school season. She has touch facing the basket to about 17-feet, plus she can put it on the floor one to two dribbles productively. Additionally, she works extremely hard, and she tries to play the "right" way. As she finishes growing and gaining strength, watch out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486523' first='Ella' last='Williams'], 2026, 5-10 G/W, Washington H.S., [program_tooltip program_id='715818' first='[program_tooltip program_id='715818' first='[program_tooltip program_id='715818' first='DistinXion' last='']' last='']' last=''] Champions Red 17U</strong><br>- When I sat down to watch this [program_tooltip program_id='715818' first='[program_tooltip program_id='715818' first='[program_tooltip program_id='715818' first='DistinXion' last='']' last='']' last=''] team play, there was a significant prospect noticeably missing from their roster. It turned out to be Ella, who was elevated from one of their 15U teams. She stands out with her height, length, and versatility around the perimeter. She is a smooth and fluid athlete, skilled enough to play three perimeter positions, and she seemed to fit right in. She has nice touch around the perimeter, but she also handles it well against pressure and can consistently find open teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->