Shamrock Classic: Stepping Up

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='324083' first='Natalie' last='Robinson'] (2025) of Marquette Catholic High School and City Elite NE2K.   Last weekend was the annual Shamrock Classic in Westfield, Indiana. Many of the top players and teams were in action, creating a lot of entertaining games. I was able to watch a lot of action all day Saturday, but I focused primarily on 2025s and 2026s. Below is a look at a handful of ladies who I felt really played well and stepped up for their teams at the event. We will have more follow-up articles throughout this weekend.   .   [player_tooltip player_id='453219' first='Randee' last='Garringer'], 2025, 6-0 F/C, [program_tooltip program_id='715841' first='Indiana' last='Sirens']-Pruitt - I felt like Randee showed a great deal of difference from this time a year ago, and that difference was a real confidence in her own ability to affect a game. She has an athletic frame and great strength, but she was extremely aggressive offensively, and she really looked to score the basketball around the paint and in the mid-post. She is a nice rebounder with a nose for the ball, plus she can defend in or out, but I really like her growth offensively.   [player_tooltip player_id='295789' first='Avery' last='Gordon'], 2025, 6-6 C, [program_tooltip program_id='712566' first='Indiana' last='Elite'] Thunder 3SSB - Avery is...Avery. Committed to Purdue University, it's fair to say she is a matchup nightmare at this level like the Boilers' Zach Edey is for their men's team. What I like about Avery most is, she does work hard and tries to run the floor, so you have to beat her to her spot, or you just aren't going to win the position battle. In addition, she has solid hands and good touch around the paint. As her legs get stronger and she can play lower longer, watch out!!   [player_tooltip player_id='776078' first='Tianna' last='Guy'], 2025, 5-7 G, West Virginia Thunder-Garrett UA Rise - This was my first time seeing Tianna at length, and I have to say, she plays with a tremendous motor. She is extremely strong, active, and makes a ton of hustle plays. She is a nice North/South driver, but she can hit the occasional outside jumper when left alone and in rhythm. If she can make her handle a little more dynamic, she could be a more effective scorer. But she will contribute in one way or another, whether that's on the boards or defensively.   [player_tooltip player_id='324083' first='Natalie' last='Robinson'], 2025, 6-0 F, City Elite NE2K - I've been watching Natalie for almost three years now, so I kind of knew what to expect. But she was much more active Saturday than I've seen her in a while. She was most impressive pursuing rebounds, whether they were nearby or outside of her area. She is a fluid and smooth athlete, but she's also extremely long and bouncy. She has always had tremendous upside, and she seems to be much more consistent this Spring.   [player_tooltip player_id='492322' first='Aniyah' last='McKenzie'], 2026, 6-0 F, Lady Gym Rats Silver EYBL - As early as when I saw Aniyah during her 8th Grade year, I've always said she is one player I would absolutely want on my team. The amount of toughness and energy she plays with is incredible for a player her size. She is nonstop, whether it's on the boards, defensively, or attacking the basket off the bounce. In fact, I felt like she looked much more aggressive Saturday at the offensive end of the floor. She can simply be classified as "ballplayer".   [player_tooltip player_id='486496' first='Berkeley' last='Williams'], 2026, 5-6 G, [program_tooltip program_id='712550' first='IGB' last=''] GUAA 16U - Berkeley is another player who I think every coach would love to have. It doesn't matter what she is or isn't, she is up for any challenge, and she can battle players with more natural ability. She does have some length, good speed and quickness, plus she has a tremendous motor. She is very vocal and emotional (in a great way), plus she possesses nice all-around skill. She can play on the ball, and she's an effective shooter, plus she's a high-level defender.   [player_tooltip player_id='486521' first='Laniah' last='Wills'], 2026, 6-0 F, [program_tooltip program_id='712550' first='IGB' last=''] GUAA 17U - Laniah plays hard, so I wanted to be clear about that when I say she is starting to play with more urgency and value each possession more. Her intensity has also become more consistent, and I felt like Saturday she was flying around the court, whether it was pursuing every rebound, defending multiple types of players, or attacking the basket with aggression. She is a talent who can make plays others just can't, plus her skill has developed nicely.

The featured image is of Natalie Robinson Natalie Robinson 5'11" | PF Marquette Catholic | 2025 State IN (2025) of Marquette Catholic High School and City Elite NE2K.