IBCA Team Showcase: Additional Thoughts

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='991171' first='Kihanna' last='Mellanson'] (2027) from Heritage Christian High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the last few years, the NCAA has instituted a "Scholastic Live Period" over one June weekend, where college coaches are allowed to view potential recruits. Prospects may participate in events operated by their high school association or their state's coaches association. The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has entrusted this to the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA), and the IBCA has operated both the Top 100 individual showcase, and a team showcase held at Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern high schools. Friday marked the first day of the team showcase, and with 117 teams from around the state participating this year, there was plenty of action taking place all day Friday and Saturday. Below are some additional prospects who stood out throughout the team showcase this past weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["751031"],"_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-6a3cb5591d4e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think Aaliyah could be in store for a big 2026-2027 season for the Lady Orioles. She is so strong, physical around the perimeter, and she plays with a nice motor. Offensively, she's able to get downhill and get defenders on her hip. She earns repeated trips to the charity stripe, but she can also finish at the basket in a variety of ways, plus her touch outside has improved. Defensively, she could be elite if/when she plays with just a little more urgeny, and </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["991171"],"_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-6a3cb5591d52c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kihanna has become quite the topic among small college coaches this Spring. The move-in from Texas is quick, athletic, crafty with the ball in her hands, and skilled. She does a nice job of playing with her head up, constantly scanning the floor. She has nice length at her size, she can get downhill quickly, but she has also shown the ability to make shots consistently from outside. Defensively, she is active on the ball, and she is aware and in position when in "help" side. For her Heritage Christian team, I really like how she takes pressure off of talented 2028 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999405' first='Riley' last='Johnson']</strong>, allowing Johnson to hunt shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1678159"],"_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-6a3cb5591d552"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brianna was very instrumental in Oak Hill's run to the Class 2A State finals in February. She has good size, tremendous length, and a little strength. At the 2A level, she does a nice job of playing "taller" than opponents. She keeps the ball high and scores over most matchups. If she were to play at the next level, she would need to build her core strength some and work on playing against people bigger than herself. But Brianna also has a solid face-up game in the mid-post. Defensively, she is an effective shot-blocker, and she showed that in a game Friday against a couple of athletic players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1263948"],"_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-6a3cb5591d575"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">C.J. is a transplant, coming to Pike back in May from Decatur Central High School. She is very strong, physical, and she loves contact as a guard. At the same time, she brings a lot of experience, having started as a Freshman for the Hawks, plus she has a balanced skillset and a good understanding of the game. She can handle it and initiate the offense, she can use her strength to get downhill and attack the rim, plus she can knock down the occasional jumper if set and in rhythm. Defensively, she can take on most guards, plus she has the strength to battle undersized forwards in a pinch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1291636"],"_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-6a3cb5591d595"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ben Davis relied on several Freshmen last season, and Paige was one of those lucky to get the opportunity. It was a valuable experience, and I would expect her to take that and be even better in her second season. Paige is an explosive creator and defender type. She has very quick feet, she can really defender the ball, and she can frustrate the opponent at times by essentially being a 1-person press. Offensively, she likes to attack, get gaps, and find open teammates. If this coming season she went for 8 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals each night, she will make the Lady Giants much better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->