Hoop Life Basketball Showcase: Team 2 Evaluation
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There were 4 teams that competed at the Hoop Life Basketball Showcase and Team 2 had a roster full of guards who had limitless range with their shot and good sized wings who can stretch the floor and looked to…
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Continue ReadingThere were 4 teams that competed at the Hoop Life Basketball Showcase and Team 2 had a roster full of guards who had limitless range with their shot and good sized wings who can stretch the floor and looked to attack the basket for easy layups. Once this team got into a rhythm, they were hard to stop. Time to meet the players!
Kennedy Princehouse Kennedy Princehouse 5’4″ | SG Waukee NW | 2027 IA was one of the sharpshooters on this team! This player can shoot the ball at a high level and knows how to move without the basketball. She understands how to come off of off ball screens to get open and understands to stay tight and create contact to get open. One thing that stood out is this player knows her identity within the game and plays within herself. Waukee Northwest High School is lucky to have this player! She’s someone who is intelligent and understands what she needs to do in order to put her team in a position to win.
Aubrie Haynes Aubrie Haynes 5’6″ | PG Bondurant Farrar | 2025 State IA is a guard who can control the offense playing on and off the ball. She’s a patient player and at the showcase showed a ton of leadership. A natural leader on the floor who communicates with teammates and with coaches as well. Aubrie makes in game adjustments right away and didn’t make the same mistake twice. Being a next play player was something that stood out for me. Once she makes one shot, players have to find her because she’s a volume shooter. Bondurant Farrar has a player who can shoot from deep and another leader on the floor.
Highlights
Ari Phillips Ari Phillips 5’10” | CG Johnston | 2027 State IA is a point guard with high potential at the next level. She will exploit her mismatches and make teams play when they switch on ball screens. There isn’t a shot that this player doesn’t like. One of my favorite skills this player shows is her ability to play in transition. If her teammates run the floor she will make pin point outlet passes. Defensively, she pressures the ball in the full court and forces other guards to give the ball up. Ari received her first Division 1 offer from the University of Eastern Illinois. Keep an eye on this player because she’s just getting started. Johnston High School has another elite point guard who will make an immediate impact this season.
Joelle Johnson Joelle Johnson 5’8″ | SG Pleasantville | 2025 State IA is looking to have a great season as a junior at Pleasantville High School. She is the type of player that flat out works extremally hard. Additionally, every teams needs a caliber player in their program who is willing to do what is needed to win. Joelle is that player! She’s fundamentally sound boxing out and rebounding the biggest and strongest players. She plays physical and understands this is a contact sport. I’m excited to see her hard work pay off this high school season.
Highlights
Emily Larsen Emily Larsen 5’11” | SF Cedar Rapids Prairie | 2026 State IA is an athlete who can play multiple positions. Being a taller/longer player allows her to cause havoc on the defensive side guarding shooters and guards. Offensively, she forces the defense to extend out because of her shooting ability. One thing that stood out was her ability to play in transition. She pushes the ball and covers a lot of ground with long steps to the basket. Her finishing ability is elite and when she plays in control, she’s a hard player to guard. She is only a sophomore who’ll play for Prairie High School this season. Be on the look out as she continues to get better each day knowing she’s getting in extra reps in the gym.
Highlights
Malaina Hackley Malaina Hackley 4’9″ | PG Roosevelt | 2026 State IA is a point guard out of Ankeny Centennial High School. Being a shorter point guard, she uses her size to her advantage. She has the ball on a string when it comes to her handle and her quickness is a problem for the defense. In addition, having great footwork allows her to finish at a high level around the basket. Also, her footwork is great when it comes to her in game shooting. Malaina has a nice step back and can shoot beyond the 3 point line. She’s a player you can’t sleep on because she has a ton of tools in her bag.
Highlights
Taryne Werstein Taryne Werstein 5'8" | SG Waukee | 2026 IA
Taryne Werstein Taryne Werstein 5'8" | SG Waukee | 2026 IA
Taryne Werstein Taryne Werstein 5’8″ | SG Waukee | 2026 IA will play for Waukee High School this upcoming season. She is a player who can guard the guards and the bigs. When she’s in a rhythm, she can play at a high level. From shooting the ball off the catch and off the dribble, to getting to the rim. She can cause a lot of problems for other teams. Taryne makes effective cuts to the basket and finishes strong off of two feet. This could be the year where she finds her niche within the game and has a good high school season leading into spring/summer AAU basketball.
Adalyn Long Adalyn Long 5’9″ | SG Washington | 2026 State IA who will play for Washington High School has high IQ for the game. She’s an all around player who locks in defensively and can score multiple ways offensively. One of my favorite highlights was a hammer pass from one of her teammates for the knockdown 3 pointer. That’s understanding timing within the offensive possession and good spacing. Only a sophomore with potential at the next level, she’s looking to have a breakout season leading to spring/summer AAU basketball.