And They’re Off…

At this point in time just two weeks in, the season is incredibly young right now. Most teams have only played a game or two, some three, and quite a few still haven’t even started yet. With that said, I took an early look at MaxPreps to see which Freshmen were off to quick starts this season. Below are five Freshmen who currently stand atop the way-to-early scoring list this season. These are not necessarily the five most talented Freshmen in the state, but they have shaken off the nerves to post good scoring numbers in their first Varsity action of their careers. Stay tuned, as we’ll monitor the Hoosier State’s better rookies throughout the season. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="177322" first="Kenzie" last="Fulks"], 5-5 PG, Bethesda Christian School</strong></span> This isn’t much of a surprise, as Kenzie’s sister <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23094" first="Maddi" last="Fulks"]</strong> ran the roost at Bethesda Christian the last four seasons. Maddi was just shy of 2000 points in her career (1947), and she was a big part of<span style="font-size: 1rem;"> 69 wins and a Sectional Championship back in February. Kenzie might actually have more skill and talent when compared at the same age. She’s a little taller and more athletic, but she possesses a lot of the same basketball savvy and toughness as her older sister. Through two games so far, Kenzie is averaging 25.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 4.5 steals per game. I’d expect for her to approach and/or surpass many of her sister’s records in the next four seasons.</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="177336" first="Scarlett" last="Kimbrell"], 5-10 G, Franklin Community H.S.</strong></span> Scarlett is the perfect name for a red-hot shooter. Playing alongside veterans like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="61040" first="Kuryn" last="Brunson"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="99396" first="Kyra" last="Baker"]</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="130331" first="Lauren" last="Sandrock"]</strong>, it’s easy to see why Scarlett is getting open early season looks. And if she didn’t, she’d probably just scoot back a couple of feet. Now that she has been scouted, I would anticipate she’ll start seeing much tighter defense, but she is a long, wiry strong, fluid, and complete all-around guard. She can handle a little and create offense, but her best weapon is still her ability to make shots. Through three games this year, Scarlett is averaging 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, plus she’s an impressive 15-33 (45%) from 3-point range. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="177346" first="Olivia" last="Nickerson"], 5-6 G, Twin Lakes H.S.</strong></span> Olivia had one of the best opening game performances I can remember by a Freshman. She poured in 42 points in her first game of her career and followed it up with 25 more in her second outing. So far on the year, Nickerson has scored 67 of her team’s 102 points, or 66%. She is a quietly tough-nosed, hard-working, skillful guard. She can play point guard, but she’s such a good shooter that you would want to run her off of screens consistently. Overall through two games, she is averaging 33.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.5 steals, plus she has knocked down six 3-pointers in each game at a 38% clip, and she has already been to the free throw line 26 times (19-26, 73%). <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Addie Shank, 5-11 C, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers H.S.</strong></span> I had the opportunity to see Addie towards the end of June, and my first impression was that she had a nonstop motor and was an extremely hard-working, tough-nosed, and physical frontline prospect. She outworked each of her matchups in the grassroots tournament I saw, and she did some nice things skillfully in and around the paint. She has solid hands, decent footwork, but it’s her willingness to play hard that wins her matchup most nights. Through three games, the Luers youngster is averaging 13.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and a pair of blocked shots per contest. She is also a stellar 17-29 (59%) from the field on the season. As she matures, I would expect her to expand her game. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="177359" first="Adrianne" last="Tolen"], 5-8 G, West Lafayette H.S.</strong></span> Adrianne is someone I’m not overly familiar with because she wasn’t a big grassroots participant this Summer. She has been on our watchlist since it’s inception in June, because her high school coach has spoken so highly of her. From what I understand, she is a do-everything type of guard who has solid size, length, and athleticism. She can score the ball when she needs to, she can run the offense well also, and she’s a pretty disciplined and active defender. Through their first three games this season, Tolen is averaging 17.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 3.7 steals per game. She is a part of a nice young nucleus for the Red Devils, who should grow well together.