Illinois Predators 17u Team Review

I had the privilege to talk to Coach Steve Marvel, Head Coach of the Illinois Predators, recently. I asked him to give me some insight on his Illinois Predators and his 17u squad. Below is a snapshot of this very good team and how they fared in Indianapolis from July 5th-12th.   Session 1 USJN Indianapolis 2-3 overall record Session 2 Nike TOC 2-3 overall record. They were the only team to beat Missouri phenom in their pool. The played 2x versus the Ohio Hoopsters Richardson. The first loss was by 30 points but they rebounded well and played them to a 5 point game the second time.   #2 Ashlyn Duncan: Mt Zion High School. 2021 – A high energy player who doesn’t quit, Ashlyn brings a wide variety of skills to the court. She runs the floor well and has very solid anticipation on defense. She has a nice outside jumper, can get you rebounds and attack the rim. Coach Marvel believes she has the ability to play at the Division 3 level. Ashlyn also runs Track & Field. #3 Jilyan Burgener: Central A&M High School. 2024 – A high skilled player who has a high ceiling, Jilyan got better all week from Session 1 to Session 2. A lefty with a good 3 point shot, she keeps her focus throughout the game and is a smooth player. Coach Marvel sees her as a potential Division 2 player that should also play 4 years at the Varsity level. #4 Maelyn Ridener: CEC Homeschool Louisville KY. 2021 - A lefty with the highest basketball IQ on the team, Maelyn is a good, physical combo guard. She can get to to the rim and put the ball in the hole. She had an 18 point game at the USJN. She has Division 3/NAIA playing ability. #7 Kelsey Decker: Springfield High School. 2021 - Kelsey sees the floor well and can defend but, her best skill is her jumper. She can knock the 3 ball down consistently. Kelsey wasn’t at Indy this past week and didn’t play as a junior due to transferring schools. She is primed for a special senior season. #10 Kylee Parker: Lanphier High School. 2021 – A key member on Lanphier’s state finalist team, Kylee is a very solid player She is a slasher who is constantly working on her shot and making more 3s every time she steps on the floor. An outstanding rebounder, Kylee is long. Her length makes her a tenacious defender and causes problems when she is at the top of the press. ICC has shown interest in Kylee. #11 Kenzie Decker: Springfield High School. 2021 – A great shooter, Kenzie was 2nd in 3s made in the Central State 8 last year. Kenzie is also a great leader. She brings top energy every game and practice and expects her teammates to match her intensity each time she steps on the floor. A good defender, ICC has shown interest. #12 Kenzie Shumate: Mt Zion High School. 2021 - A quick release shooter who isn’t afraid to go into the trees and get to the rim, Kenzie plays hard. She isn’t afraid of the moment or anyone. She will take the charge and be a spark for her team. She can also run the point. The more experience she gets, the better she will become. #13 [player_tooltip player_id="160150" first="Rachel" last="Holthaus"]. Pana High School. 2022 – A leader and a glue player, Rachel does the little things each and every game that don’t stand out in the box score. A high IQ player that can run the floor, Rachel is also a good point guard. She runs the floor well and can get her team set up into the offense quickly. She has a good jumper but Coach Marvel says she needs to use it more. Rachel averaged 8ppg last season. She is getting looks from a handful of Division 2 and Division 3 teams. #14 Abby Scharf. Mt Zion High School. 2022 – A player that can rebound and has good length, Abby had a very good week in Indy. Her defense looked good, especially when she was guarding bigs. A lefty who is a solid 3 point shooter, Coach Marvel is working with her to improve her quickness. She has the ability to be a stretch 4 at the collegiate level. #23 [player_tooltip player_id="148176" first="Layne" last="Rupert"]: Hillsboro High School. 2023 – A long athlete who plays the point of the press, Layne’s game has come a long ways since last year. She can hit the mid-range and get to the rim but her 3 ball is her best shot. Layne got a lot of minutes last year as a freshman at the Varsity level and averaged 6 ppg. #34 Denver Anderson: Mt Zion High School. 2024 - Denver led the Springfield Predators in scoring 9/10 games during the week in Indy, averaging double figures. She was a match-up nightmare for teams. When she is guarded by bigs, she can go by them and get to the rim. Standing close to 6’ tall, Coach Marvel believes she has Division 1 talent. She can hit the 3 ball, rebound, defend and finish around the rim with contact. 50-Hannah Cleveland: Olympia High School. 2024 – The 2nd leading scorer for the Predators in Indy, also averaging double figures in points, Hannah is a scorer. She has deep range from 3 and isn’t afraid to shoot from anywhere. She has great handles and that makes her lethal in iso ball. She can get by her defenders and get to the rim. Coach Marvel believes that her skill set, combined with her great size around 5’10, has the ability to play at the Division 1 level.   The Springfield Predators 17u team is playing at The Clash in Indianapolis this weekend and will be at the National Championship in Indy the weekend of July 31st-August 2nd.