Always 100 at Queen of the Rock
In this article:
The featured image is of Gabby Helsom Gabby Helsom 5'11" | PF Homestead | 2026 State IN (2026) of Homestead High School and Always 100 3SSB 16U. This past weekend was the annual Queen of the Rock tournament. Originally in…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Gabby Helsom Gabby Helsom 5'11" | PF Homestead | 2026 State IN (2026) of Homestead High School and Always 100 3SSB 16U.
This past weekend was the annual Queen of the Rock tournament. Originally in Toledo, Ohio, the event has now shifted to Fort Wayne, Indiana. With several strong programs in attendance, there were a number of ladies who played well. After highlighting several of the standouts from Saturday & Sunday, I wanted to circle back and take a look at additional key performers from each of the main Indiana programs in attendance. Below is a look at several prospects from the Always 100 program. The 17U E40 Platinum team finished in the Final Four of the 17U Super Platinum bracket, the 16U 3SSB Elite team won the 16U Super Platinum bracket, and the 15U Skills team finished in the Final Four of the 15U Super Platinum bracket.
.
In her first tournament with Always 100 3SSB, Thomas was extremely physical and aggressive on the interior. She is a powerful front-liner who loves to throw her body around, but she does work hard, she has soft hands, solid footwork, and she understands how to finish over/around taller, longer defenders. She could have a very impactful Spring & Summer with this group.
Highlights
This was my first time seeing Rylea in over a year, and she has really grown and developed her game. She is stronger, more fluidly athletic, and she can play either forward spot with effectiveness. She was good getting out in transition, she has touch to the 3-point line, but she is very good in the mid-range game. I also like her ability to rebound her position and her defensive versatility.
Keadriah continued her strong Spring play, and she was instrumental in them advancing to the Final Four. In the first half of their Elite Elight game, she had a tough time scoring, but down the stretch in their comeback, she remained aggressive and made some tough drives and finishes through contact, including the game-winner. She is a nice athlete with length and versatility.
Highlights
Gabby is a nice ‘tweener with a hard-to-guard inside-out game. She has the strength and will play with the physicality to battle inside, whether that’s scoring it at the rim or fighting for rebounds. At the same time, she has good all-around athleticism and great touch from the perimeter. She knocked down some critical shots for them late in each of their games on their run to the Finals.
Highlights
I felt like Anna had a solid all-around weekend. She has nice height and length, she’s a fairly fluid athlete, and she can change ends of the floor with relative quickness. She has really nice skill at her height, she has some touch in the mid-post and around the perimeter, and she can put it on the floor two to three dribbles and get somewhere productively. As she continues getting stronger, watch out!
Highlights
There were likely other members of her team who maybe scored more points, grabbed more rebounds, or whatever else, but it seemed like each time I watched their court, she was in the game actively affecting the outcome. She is long, athletic, and extremely active. Wherever the ball is, you are sure to find her. She can defend multiple positions, score it at all levels, and she’s tough-nosed.
Highlights
Luci was that kid on Saturday who, you are watching one court, and you occasionally look over at another court and consistently see someone burying shot after shot. She has really nice length, speed and quickness, and she can really shoot it. I didn’t really see her in big sample sizes, so I need to see more, but she appeared to have really nice ball skill and potentially be a point guard.
Highlights
McKenzie White
McKenzie White
McKenzie looks to be the next big thing in Fort Wayne, both literally and figuratively. She is a powerful, broad-shouldered, true post with good hands and the ability to use her body to create space to finish. As young as she is, if she can add a couple of inches to her frame, she could be a dominant force by high school, because she was already affecting a high-level 16U game as a 13U prospect.