Shamrock Classic: Standout Prospects
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The featured image is of Maddie Nipper Maddie Nipper 5'5" | PG Charlestown | 2024 State IN (2024) of Charlestown High School and Indiana Showcase Red 16U. The grassroots season is back in full swing, and this past weekend marked…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Maddie Nipper Maddie Nipper 5'5" | PG Charlestown | 2024 State IN (2024) of Charlestown High School and Indiana Showcase Red 16U.
The grassroots season is back in full swing, and this past weekend marked the annual Shamrock Classic in Westfield, Indiana. A number of Indiana’s top programs were in attendance, and there were several strong performances throughout the day. Based on what I was able to see in my time at the event, below is a look at five young ladies who I felt stood out because of their play during their games I was able to catch.
Saige Stahl
Saige
Stahl
6'1" | PF
Columbus East | 2023
State
IN
, 2023, 6-1 PF, Columbus East H.S., Nike Lady Gym Rats EYBL 17U
– Saige put together an outstanding Junior season for the Olympians, and after seeing her Saturday, it’s easy to understand why. She looks noticeably stronger, much more active, and she’s playing with a different passion and intent for the game. She has nice length, a wiry-strong frame, plus she runs the floor well and has some bounce to her. She is a solid mid-post scorer, a good pursuing rebounder, and she’s really starting to attack the paint, whether it’s for rebounds or scores. She went from being on very few radars in the Fall, to now having a number of colleges wanting to get a look at her improved game this Spring.
Adelyn Walker
Adelyn
Walker
5'8" | SF
Bella Vista Prep | 2023
State
AZ
, 2023, 5-8 SF, Franklin Community H.S., Indy Magic BlueStar 17U
– Adelyn had a strong day for her Indy Magic team Saturday, playing well in a close loss against one shoe company team, while helping them defeat another. Adelyn has always possessed talent and upside, but this was easily the most aggressive I have seen her. She was making plays for herself and teammates at the offensive end of the floor, and defensively, she was picking up in the backcourt and pressuring several of the state’s better 2023 and 2024 guards into turnovers. Her new 2022 team seemed to be a great fit for her, so I would anticipate her putting together a strong grassroots season.
Olivia Waters
Olivia
Waters
5'11" | SF
Blackford | 2023
State
IN
, 2023, 5-11 SF, Blackford H.S., OPS Black-Jordan 17U
– I have been watching Liv play since she entered high school, and she had height advantages over opponents most of the time growing up. Now, though, she looks stronger, even more fluid and all-around explosive. She shot it consistently from the perimeter Saturday when I was able to see her, and she absorbed contact much better as well. For Blackford, she handles the ball and acts as a point forward for them. You can see that ball skill come in handy during grassroots games, but she’s likely going to need to defend wings and forwards at this level. I felt like overall she looked as comfortable as she ever has in this environment.
Maddie Nipper
Maddie
Nipper
5'5" | PG
Charlestown | 2024
State
IN
, 2024, 5-5 PG, Charlestown H.S., Indiana Showcase Red 16U
– Maddie seems to be one of the most soft-spoken players on the floor each time out, but her game speaks volumes. She is heady and has a high basketball IQ. She plays with a nice motor, a quiet toughness, she has a little strength, and she’s quick & shifty. In the game I saw, she put together a really nice stretch where she often got by her defender, eluded ’help’ defenders, and got inside for scores or drew contact. Maddie also finds open teammates when available, and she continues to shoot it better and better from the perimeter. I think long-term she will make a college coach very happy with her style of play.
Icesis Thomas
Icesis
Thomas
5'10" | SF
Kenwood | 2025
State
IL
, 2025, 5-9 SF, Bishop Noll Institute, Nike Lady Gym Rats-Walker 15U
– Icesis has been in our database since we first published a 2025 list last June, but this was my first time seeing her in person. She has a strong, athletic frame, and she plays with a lot of energy. She is always on attack, she gets downhill quickly, especially to her right, and she will power through ’arm tackles’ to get the ball up on the rim. I don’t know that she can necessarily defend point guards, but she can extend herself defensively and take on bigger guards and wings 70-feet from the basket and make them sweat. She’s also a strong pursuing rebounder. Icesis has a great deal of upside and just needs to add a little polish.