South Dakota 2030 Watch List: Top 10, part 2

Identifying the top prospects in any given state is at the core of what we do at Prep Girls Hoops. We seek out young players with the most potential, make college coaches aware of these talented prospects, and chronicle their progress as the kids work their way toward college basketball. That's why we have a Watch List.   On Tuesday we published the five initial names on our first South Dakota Class of 2030 Watch List. Our goal is to give you a compilation of 10 players we think will likely be among the state's top 10 prospects when we put out a definitive list of the top 25 in the new year. Today we add five more and on Thursday we'll toss five additional names into the conversation for discussion. Going forward we'll evaluate and write about many more.   The Watch List prospects are being published in alphabetical order, and selections made without regard to geography, school size or AAU club affiliation. Our evaluations focus on long-term college potential rather than current high school production, making this the first step in what will be an ongoing evaluation process over the next few years. To be clear, this is not our Top 10 in a specific order. By the time we actually rank this class, others may have emerged who deserve a spot, as well.   Here is part 2 of our Top 10.    Shangreaux already owns a résumé that would be impressive for a junior or senior. As an 8th grader, she averaged 21 points, 4.4 assists and 5 steals for Lakota Tech to earn Class A All-State second-team honors and helping her school reach the state tournament. But there is much more to “Rosie” than the numbers. It was obvious from the first viewing that she is an elite floor general who controls pace, anticipates passing opportunities and consistently makes good decisions with the basketball. Shangreaux is also an explosive three-level scorer with a reliable perimeter shot, an excellent pull-up jumper and the ability to attack the basket and finish or find an open teammate. She handles the ball exceptionally well, plays fast without becoming rushed and creates steals with anticipation and quick hands. There are so many factors that play into a prospect's long-term success but Shangreaux is off to a great start.     There is a natural ease to Sheppard's game that immediately stands out. The 5'11 guard from Flandreau is long, athletic and bouncy, with the versatility to play virtually anywhere on the floor. She handles the basketball comfortably, sees the court extremely well and delivers passes with confidence, giving her the capability to initiate offense or do good work away from the ball. Rhegan is fundamentally sound but also has plenty of athletic chops, including excellent elevation, quick reflexes and impressive pace in the open court. Defensively, her length, lateral movement and anticipation give her the potential to match up with players of almost any size or style. The younger sister of Morgan and Claire Sheppard, Rhegan already displays the skill, maturity and self-assurance of someone accustomed to playing at a high level. Rhegan just received her first D1 offer courtesy of South Dakota State.     Talley has a strong argument as the best pure point guard in the class. The 5'9 floor leader from Mitchell combines elite speed and acceleration with exceptional ball-handling ability and an advanced understanding of how to run an offense. Nia is shifty and creative, using changes of pace and direction to keep defenders off balance before exploding past them with a deadly first step. She puts constant pressure on the defense, attacks one-on-one matchups with confidence and has the perimeter shooting ability to punish defenders who give her space. Talley also sees the floor exceptionally well and processes the game quickly, making her dangerous as both a scorer and facilitator. Defensively, she understands angles, competes with gusto and uses her quickness with purpose. South Dakota, South Dakota State and Omaha have already extended scholarship offers and there will be more to come.     Trevillyan is the type of player whose value becomes increasingly apparent the longer you watch her. Presley is highly competitive, moves the basketball efficiently, understands spacing and consistently seems to recognize what she needs to do on any given possession. She can help run an offense, sees the floor well and makes the kind of proper post-entry passes that have become something of a lost art. She doesn't need to dominate the basketball to influence a game, but when scoring opportunities appear, she is fully capable of taking advantage with a quality perimeter shot and a well-rounded offensive skill set. Defensively, her size, instincts and competitiveness permit her to take on a variety of assignments. Trevillyan has already come back from a torn ACL so we know she is resilient, the most under-appreciated asset a player can have.. As she physically matures and gets stronger, Presley's impressive all-around game should become even more impactful.     Wammen is a high-octane point guard with the confidence and presence of veteran leader. The 5'7 guard from Harding County is an elite perimeter shooter with deep range, but reducing her game to "she's a shooter" would miss so much of what makes Wammen special. Maci sees the floor exceptionally well, understands how to control tempo and recognizes passing lanes that many young guards simply don't see. She attacks the basket with real purpose, possesses excellent body control and operates from a strong, athletic base. There is also an unmistakable competitive edge to her game. Wammen, whose dad  is her high school coach, is a vocal leader who wants responsibility. She brings that same mentality defensively, where she applies relentless ball pressure and creates steals at an impressive rate. Maci helped Harding County finish 24-2 and reach the Class B championship game as an 8th grader.

Identifying the top prospects in any given state is at the core of what we do at Prep Girls Hoops. We seek out young players with the most potential, make college coaches aware of these talented prospects, and chronicle their progress as the kids work their way toward college basketball. That's why we have a Watch List.