Hoosier Hotbeds: #7 Vanderburgh County

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the years, we've taken the time to look at how different counties from Hoosierland stack up against each other. This year, we're back at it, but we're having more of a countdown spread over a few articles, instead of one article highlighting just a few prospects. I began by taking a quick look at eight counties who were close to making our Top 10, but who were just on the outside looking in. Now, we're well into our Top 10 list, continuing with #7, Vanderburgh County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With our Top 10 counties, they are divided into five "starters" plus seven additional players to act as a "bench". I tried to stay as true to form as an all-star team would, with at least a couple of guards and a couple of wings/forwards as "starters". The fifth "starter" is likely to be a post player, if there are any worthy of making the 12-player list. If there isn't a post in that group of 12 players, I added another guard or forward, depending on what looks like a quality 5-player lineup. From there, the next seven players are based on a combination of PGH ranking, talent, and skill, regardless of position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Disclaimer: I specifically used the classes of 2025-2027 to determine county strength, since the 2028 class has yet to play a high school game.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">BACKCOURT "STARTERS"</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["756251"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c48416c34a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brooke got off to a quick start as a rookie at North, and she should have an even better Sophomore season. She has solid size, an athletic frame, and she moves well in most directions. She can handle it a little, but she's probably better as a shooter/scorer for the Huskies. With this Vanderburgh County group, she stood out as the best true guard in the group, plus she offers a great deal of upside for the future. Look for her to potentially be a double-figure scorer, following a Freshman season of 9.4 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["486473"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c48416c3504"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With a number of good guards graduating in 2024, I rounded out this lineup with the best perimeter player of the group. Not only is Bailey a solid all-around athlete and a multilevel scorer, but she can play a point forward role and act as the primary ball-handler on a team with a great deal of size. She looked noticeably stronger all Spring &amp; Summer, and with that, her confidence also grew. She strikes me as a kid the elite small colleges of the Midwest love, because her versatility allows her to play multiple positions effectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">FRONTCOURT "STARTERS"</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["570376"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c48416c356b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was a tough choice, but I picked Libby's skill and versatility over size in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295791' first='Kaelyse' last='Mitchell']</strong> (below). Either way, if this group were to play together, you would see seven or eight kids capable of starting play big minutes. Libby is a strong, fairly physical, hard-working forward. She has a beautiful stroke and can bury shot after shot from the perimeter if she has any space. She is improving her ball-handling and passing as well. Defensively, she is best battling in the mid-post and defending ball screens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["610126"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c48416c35af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rylee came in as a Freshman and averaged 10.4 points plus 5.2 rebounds per game for an experienced/veteran Memorial team last season. She is arguably the most talented prospect in the Pocket City, and she could see her numbers nearly double without some talented 2024 graduates able to help out. Rylee is physical, she plays with a nice motor, and she can dominate the mid-post, step outside and knock down a shot, or create a little off the dribble. As she continues to learn how to play lower, watch out!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["492324"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c48416c360e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If Rylee (above) is the best prospect in the Pocket City, then Maddy is the best player right now. She has a tremendous amount of skill, and she constantly breaks down her opponents because she has put in so much time making everything instinctive. She has length, a frame that has gotten stronger, and she plays with an outstanding motor. She can battle and be physical inside, plus she has touch and a good basketball IQ around the perimeter. She is one of the most skilled mid-post '4s' in the state, regardless of class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">THE NEXT SEVEN</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834934' first='Azaria' last='Finn']</strong>, 2027, 5-5 CG, Evansville North H.S.<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='874335' first='Mya' last='Skelton']</strong>, 2025, 5-7 SG, Evansville Central H.S.<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122876' first='Bella' last='Thomas']</strong>, 2025, 5-7 SG, Evansville Harrison H.S.<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295756' first='Myla' last='Browning']</strong>, 2025, 5-11 SF, Evansville Memorial H.S.<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256458' first='Bella' last='Hall']</strong>, 2026, 5-9 PF, Evansville Christian H.S.<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828084' first='Maddy' last='Knies']</strong>, 2025, 6-1 C, Evansville North H.S.<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295791' first='Kaelyse' last='Mitchell']</strong>, 2025, 6-5 C, Evansville F.J. Reitz H.S.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->