The Classic: Day-1 Guard Notes

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='814715' first='Jhordyn' last='Brown'] (2028) of Kokomo H.S. and [program_tooltip program_id='712570' first='Indiana's' last='Best']-Sullivan 15U.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't know how this happened this quickly, but we're already to mid-May and the second "live" period of the Spring. That means more big events, more college coaches, and more intense play. I headed to "The Classic", an annual Ohio Basketball tournament in Louisville, Kentucky. Despite the severe weather in the area all evening, there were no stoppages inside, as a number of Indiana programs were in action on the 40 courts being utilized. Below is a look at a half dozen guard prospects who stood out in the action I was able to see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486476' first='Shaylyn' last='Hawk'], 2026, 5-7 G, Washington H.S., [program_tooltip program_id='714250' first='Indiana' last='Pride'] Attack 17U</strong><br>- Shay is one of the best guards in the state few people know about. She has not been a big grassroots participant in the past, but this Spring has been huge for her and her recruitment. She is a strong, athletic guard who plays with a nice motor, plus she is very skilled. She can handle it a little in transition, initiate the offense, and create space off the bounce. She's a really nice perimeter shooter, but she can also absorb contact &amp; finish around the rim. She is a consistent multilevel scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='638374' first='Sophie' last='Skidmore'], 2026, 5-9 G/W, Seymour H.S., [program_tooltip program_id='1002297' first='IGB' last='']-Unruh 17U</strong><br>- Ever since I first saw her during her Freshman year, Sophie has been a tough-nosed, hard-working, and physical wing who isn't afraid to battle anyone. After watching her Friday evening for the first time this Spring, she looks like she has gotten a little stronger and more explosive. She was active at both ends of the floor, and she showed that she can be an effective college defender, while also displaying her offensive balance and ability to make shots at each level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alivia Dawson, 2027, 5-8 G, Penn H.S., [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] Skills 16U</strong><br>- Alivia has improved quite a bit since last Summer, and she will definitely be an intriguing prospect to watch moving forward. She has some length, a wiry-strong frame, plus she seems to enjoy playing and possesses a good motor. She is creating a lot more with the ball in her hands, and she looks leaner, more fluid, and more explosive. She also has the ability to become a very good defender, if she so choses. I am curious to see how much better she can get in the next two years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118516' first='Tatum' last='DeVries'], 2027, 5-9 G, Morgantown H.S. (WV), DistinXion Champions Black 17U</strong><br>- Officially, Tatum is at Morgantown High School in West Virginia until the school year ends. At that point, she is rumored to be transferring to Bloomington South, as her father is the new Hoosier men's basketball coach. Tatum is extremely long and wiry, fluidly athletic, and she works hard. She is a very good perimeter shooter who needs little space to get it away, but she also tries to play physical &amp; aggressive, and she has a well-rounded skillset. She should make an instant impact for the Panthers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bryleigh Todd, 2027, 5-2 PG, Plainfield H.S., [program_tooltip program_id='1002297' first='IGB' last='']-Christopher 17U</strong><br>- Bryleigh had a really good game in what I was able to see Friday evening. She is strong at her height, she has nice quickness and is even a little shifty, plus she's a heady ballplayer who sees the floor well. She's a willing passer, she plays with a nice motor, and she will defend. She also shot the ball pretty well, keeping her opponent honest. If she can do that consistently, her ability to get gaps and put pressure on defenses can make her a real threat as a scorer or distributor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='814715' first='Jhordyn' last='Brown'], 2028, 5-7 G, Kokomo H.S., [program_tooltip program_id='712570' first='Indiana's' last='Best']-Sullivan 15U</strong><br>- I first saw Jhordyn last Fall at our Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase, and she was impressive then as well. Friday night, she shot the ball well, making contested jumpers, knocking down the 3-pointer consistently, while also scoring around the basket off the bounce. She looks like she has gotten a little stronger, she has really nice length, and she's a solid all-around athlete. As she becomes a more urgent defender, I think it will certainly help her recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->