Winter Update: 2027 Newcomers

A couple of weeks ago, we began our annual class by class Winter update for rankings on Prep Girls Hoops Indiana. As it relates specifically to the Class of 2027, we expanded the list from 125 prospects to 150 prospects. That 25-player increase is typical growth for an expansion quarter, and we have several new prospects to highlight. We also had to replace a player who is no longer playing basketball in Indiana. Below is a look at those 26 new additions, along with comments and analysis on a handful of them. The Class of 2027 updates have already been posted.   .   Point Guards (4):   WL - [player_tooltip player_id='1137299' first='Bella' last='Birky'], 5-4 PG, Kouts H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='1137316' first='Ava' last='Fenters'], 5-7 PG, Westville H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='1137326' first='Landri' last='Hardman'], 5-6 PG, Oak Hill H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='751114' first='Olivia' last='Pratcher'], 5-5 PG, Daleville H.S.   Kouts is an up-and-coming threat in Class 1A because of a strong 2027 class. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1137299' first='Bella' last='Birky'] is a key catalyst for that group who has won 9 of their last 13 games. She is quick, feisty, and crafty with the ball to the tune of 11.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 3.2 steals per game. I mentioned [player_tooltip player_id='1137326' first='Landri' last='Hardman'] a few weeks back, and she has been one of my favorite newcomers to see this Winter. She plays with speed & quickness, length, poise, and a veteran savvy. I really like her stability on the ball and how it comforts teammates throughout intense moments.   .   Combo Guards (4):   #69 - [player_tooltip player_id='751061' first='Grace' last='Deaton'], 5-6 CG, Monrovia H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='890813' first='Abbie' last='Harris'], 5-5 CG, DeKalb H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='1137341' first='Bella' last='Sotelo'], 5-6 CG, Eastern Hancock H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='1137345' first='Carly' last='Stevens'], 5-6 CG, Christian Academy of Indiana   [player_tooltip player_id='751061' first='Grace' last='Deaton'] has been a standout this year for the Monrovia Bulldogs, and she does a nice job of combining length, speed, and quickness with her versatile skillset. She can handle the ball and run offense, when needed, but she is an active and athletic multilevel scorer who can shoot it outside or finish at the basket. [player_tooltip player_id='1137345' first='Carly' last='Stevens'] is another talented guard, and I am hopeful to see her this Spring & Summer against better competition. She has a quick, shifty ability to her, she can score it from different spots on the floor, and she is creative with the ball in her hands. As she becomes more efficient in a true point guard role, watch out!   .   Shooting Guards (7):   #71 - [player_tooltip player_id='1137282' first='Macie' last='Saalfrank'], 5-8 SG, Norwell H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='891958' first='Ainsley' last='Brown'], 5-6 SG, Scecina Memorial H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='1137311' first='Aniya' last='Doughty'], 5-9 SG, Franklin Central H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='1137334' first='Claire' last='Samples'], 5-7 SG, South Ripley H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='875136' first='Cailyn' last='Tunis'], 5-6 SG, North Judson-San Pierre H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='751127' first='Zakaela' last='Walker'], 5-7 SG/SF, South Bend Washington H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='1137356' first='Cadence' last='White'], 5-7 SG, Seeger H.S.   By now, I think most people are aware that Franklin Central has a strong 2027 class. However, while the focus might be on others, [player_tooltip player_id='1137311' first='Aniya' last='Doughty'] has put together a solid second year for the Flashes. She is a nice athlete, she plays with a versatility to her game, and she is willing to do a lot of the "little things" that impact winning. If you weren't paying attention, after dropping the first two games of the season, North Judson is now 16-4 on the year, and a lot of that has to do with the play of [player_tooltip player_id='875136' first='Cailyn' last='Tunis']. She is a very good perimeter shooter who plays more like a Senior than a Sophomore. She is averaging 15.3 points per game and already has 590 career points in her second season.   .   Small Forwards (4):   WL - [player_tooltip player_id='1137294' first='Mia' last='Becher'], 5-10 SF, Heritage Hills H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='1137304' first='Ella' last='Branham'], 5-10 SF, NorthWood H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='751297' first='Grace' last='Lee'], 5-9 SF, Shenandoah H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='751058' first='Etta' last='Young'], 5-9 SF, Jennings County H.S.   I was able to see [player_tooltip player_id='1137294' first='Mia' last='Becher'] play earlier this year, and she has an intriguing game to her. She has really nice length, a wiry all-around frame, and she's a fairly fluid and smooth athlete. She likes to knock down open jumpers off of reversal, but she will get inside to rebound & defend, and she will play more physical than she looks. As for [player_tooltip player_id='751058' first='Etta' last='Young'], she spent last year acclimating herself to the Varsity level, but as a Sophomore, she has been needed to contribute a great deal more. She is a solid all-around athlete, she is quietly tough-nosed, and she can play bigger than she is. She will rebound inside and defend multiple positions.   .   Power Forwards (5):   #62 - [player_tooltip player_id='992529' first='Brynlee' last='Hamblin'], 6-0 PF, Martinsville H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='1137310' first='Te'Asia' last='Briscoe'], 6-0 PF, Purdue Poly H.S. (Englewood) WL - [player_tooltip player_id='1137319' first='Layla' last='Gomez'], 5-11 PF, Southmont H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='1137332' first='Ava' last='Punak'], 5-11 PF/SF, Crown Point H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='751300' first='Ariah' last='Scott'], 5-10 PF, Anderson H.S.   [player_tooltip player_id='992529' first='Brynlee' last='Hamblin'] is a long, wiry-strong, fairly fluid and bouncy athlete. She is still figuring it all out, but she has noticeable talent and the potential to be a really nice small college prospect. She has touch in the mid-post, she can box out or pursue rebounds, and I think she could become a solid wing defender away from the basket with a little more work. [player_tooltip player_id='1137319' first='Layla' last='Gomez'] is very intriguing because she possesses such a nice skillset. She has a solid to strong frame and looks like a true power forward. But she can handle the ball in transition, she has excellent vision and the ability to see open teammates, plus she has some touch to the 3-point line.   .   Centers (2):   WL - [player_tooltip player_id='1137351' first='Marlo' last='Thorne'], 6-2 C, Vincennes Lincoln H.S. WL - [player_tooltip player_id='1137353' first='Elizabeth' last='VanKley'], 6-1 C, Kouts H.S.   While I have not seen much of [player_tooltip player_id='1137351' first='Marlo' last='Thorne'] in action, what little I have seen is incredibly intriguing. First, she is extremely long and might not be done growing. She will need to continue getting stronger, but she moves around the floor fairly well, and she is trying to play with physicality. I think she is trying to do the "right" things, and I feel like as she continues to build her skillset, she could set herself up for success at the next level as well.

A couple of weeks ago, we began our annual class by class Winter update for rankings on Prep Girls Hoops Indiana. As it relates specifically to the Class of 2027, we expanded the list from 125 prospects to 150 prospects. That 25-player increase is typical growth for an expansion quarter, and we have several new prospects to highlight. We also had to replace a player who is no longer playing basketball in Indiana. Below is a look at those 26 new additions, along with comments and analysis on a handful of them. The Class of 2027 updates have already been posted.