5 Potentially Impactful Freshmen To Know

Brandon Bradley October 31, 2023 @ 12:30 PM

The Prep Girls Hoops network at the National level has come up with a few different topics for articles to reach a National audience, so I wanted to expand upon that in this article and do something on a state-wide level. Below are five Freshmen prospects who I think will stand out immediately in 2023-2024. To be perfectly clear, this is NOT a list of the Top-5 Freshmen in the state, but instead is a list of five ladies who I think will put up big numbers and/or change their team's dynamic from the jump.   .   Lillie Graves, 2027, 6-0 W, McCutcheon H.S. - There is a lot to be said for Lillie being the top prospect in Indiana's 2027 class at this point in time. She is extremely long, wiry-strong, fluid, and smooth. She has always been more of a wing/forward than a post, and she continues to work on her perimeter skill. She can definitely sit down and defend the perimeter, and she is a nice North/South attacker off the bounce. This Summer, her perimeter shot looked more consistent, making her that much bigger of a threat.   Riley Huotari, 2027, 5-5 PG, Franklin Central H.S. - Franklin Central has a strong Freshman class, and it's debatable that Riley is even the best prospect of the group. However, she could make the biggest impact immediately, because they have been needing a traditional point guard for some time, whether it was due to graduation or injuries in past years. She is extremely quick and feisty, she can shoot it, and she does a nice job of getting it to open teammates. She's also a capable and willing on-ball defender.   McKenzie Koch, 2027, 5-8 PG, Eastern Hancock H.S. - Eastern Hancock has been highly competitive over the past several years, but they said "goodbye" to a 4-year starter at point guard. In walks "Kenzie", and while she'll need to adjust to the speed and physicality of a Varsity game, she already plays with a veteran savvy, plus she's quick, fast, and highly skilled. She can knock down shots, get by defenders, but she's a true point guard and is a willing passer who will also defend with effort. The Royals shouldn't miss a beat.   Emily Robison, 2027, 5-5 PG, New Albany H.S. - New Albany has had its ups & downs over the years in girls' basketball, but I think with Emily at the helm, they could put together a really nice 4-year stretch as other players grow and develop. Emily is another one of those heady, savvy, almost veteran type of ballplayers who just understands how to play. She has some speed & quickness, she's very good with the ball, plus she can defend. Her stability at the point should help the Bulldogs play more efficiently.   Grace Scharlach, 2027, 5-5 G, Fremont H.S. - Grace is an explosive little guard who could/should step in immediately at Fremont and make a major impact. She has speed & quickness, the ability to get gaps and change directions off the bounce, plus she has everything offensively...from the ability to finish inside, to a mid-range game, to a steady perimeter jumper. She plays with an outstanding motor and toughness, and she can create turnovers. I'm just not sure if I like her better on or off the ball.

The Prep Girls Hoops network at the National level has come up with a few different topics for articles to reach a National audience, so I wanted to expand upon that in this article and do something on a state-wide level. Below are five Freshmen prospects who I think will stand out immediately in 2023-2024. To be perfectly clear, this is NOT a list of the Top-5 Freshmen in the state, but instead is a list of five ladies who I think will put up big numbers and/or change their team's dynamic from the jump.