Morton College High School Jam: Top Performers (Part Two)

Last Saturday I attended the first three games of the 2022 Morton College High School Jam, which included several top teams from the Chicagoland area and nationally ranked Incarnate Word Academy from Missouri. Here is a group of players who stood out from the games I watched: <strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="203015" first="Kate" last="Gross"], 5'11” Guard, Downers Grove North </strong> Stepping up when her team needed her most, Gross hit clutch shot after clutch shot in the second half to help DGN take down Batavia in double-overtime. She scored 11 points, most of which were late in the game, by knocking down big-time shots from beyond the three-point line and converting at the Free Throw line. Kate is a steady player who keeps her confidence when shots aren't falling early and always makes up for it on the defensive end with her effort and high motor. <strong>2024 Kaitlyn Parker, 5'8” Guard, Downers Grove North </strong> While Gross kept DGN in the game in the second half and overtime, Parker helped get her team off to a fast start with 12 first half points. She is a talented shooter from deep who can take advantage of poor defensive close-outs and drive past her defender to make plays in the lane. Kaitlyn is a tough on-ball defender who uses her quickness and length to bother opposing ball-handlers and force turnovers frequently. <strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="203016" first="Ryann" last="Wendt"], 6'0” Guard, Downers Grove North </strong> Wendt is yet another skilled, two-way Guard at DGN who provides good versatility and consistency, totaling 13pts and 5rebs in this win. The Carroll University commit shoots the ball well from anywhere on the floor and uses her length and strength to score around the basket. Ryann can play and defend the 1-4 with her skillset and physicality, and constantly displays a high basketball IQ and leadership abilities on the court. <strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="124853" first="Tatiana" last="Thomas"], 5'11"Forward, Bolingbrook</strong> A tough Small Forward who competed hard against nationally ranked Incarnate Word Academy, Thomas was nearly unstoppable at times in the lane, scoring a team-high 19pts. The Kent State commit attacked hard off the dribble and used her strength to fight through contact and convert at the basket. Thomas was confident against the high-level prospects at IWA and stood her ground on defense to force opposing Forwards into difficult shot attempts. <strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id="265968" first="Angelina" last="Smith"], 5'9” Guard, Bolingbrook</strong> Smith is a Top 5 player in Illinois' Class of 2024 and was extremely impressive against one of the nations top teams. She had 18pts and 4rebs against a tough defense, converting several high-level finishes at the basket and knocking down jumpers from deep and in the mid-range. Angelina is a big-game player who rises to the occasion when the lights are brightest and never shies away from the moment. <strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="158262" first="Kennedi" last="Perkins"], 5'6" Guard, Bolingbrook </strong> Working her way back into the rotation while coming back from injury, Perkins was a nice spark off the bench for Bolingbrook. She scored 10pts in her limited minutes and did a nice job breaking down her defender off the dribble and making plays in the lane. Kennedi is a strong Guard who can match physicality with bigger opponents and uses her competitiveness to battle on the defensive end. <strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="162388" first="Saniah" last="Tyler"], 5'6” Guard, Incarnate Word Academy</strong> Tyler is an electric Point Guard who is a ‘must-watch' at both ends of the floor with her dynamic playmaking abilities. The University of Kentucky commit is a speedy ball-handler with outstanding court vision and passing skills to surprise defenses and set her teammates up for easy buckets. Saniah is an energetic and tough on-ball defender who constantly bothers opposing Point Guards, and often creates takeaways and turns them into easy transition points. <strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="107016" first="Natalie" last="Potts"], 6'2” Forward, Incarnate Word Academy</strong> The top individual performance out of the three games I saw, Potts dominated the paint with her mobility and scoring ability at the rim. She is a lengthy athlete with outstanding ball skills on the block and uses a great combination of strength and touch when scoring. Natalie had a game high 29 points and 10 rebounds and played terrific post defense throughout the game.