Indiana Elite Thunder Captures The Shamrock Classic Open Division Championship Just Might Be The Best 17U Team In Indiana This Year
Indianapolis, IN: It was good to be at the Shamrock Classic in March to see what has traditionally been the travel season kick-off tournament for Hoosiers. This year, there were more teams than I’ve remembered in the past, but the talent was evident. Both high school and middle school teams are getting the jump on the rest of the midwest as many states are just now finishing up the school season. Here is a sample of a few teams and players I was able to see over the weekend.
Indiana Elite Thunder
The 2019 Shamrock Classic Open Division Champions Indiana Elite Thunder made some noise this weekend. Key additions Cameron Grant and Jazz Williams have made an already talented team much deeper. Cameron Grant adds versatility and toughness in the frontcourt. She was able to lead the break off of the defensive rebound and be a formidable presence in the paint as well. Jasmine Williams is the engine. Her actively level on both ends of the court went unmatched in most games. She has uncanny speed and agility. Her most significant contribution to the team is her defensive versatility. Williams causes havoc in the backcourt when there is full-court pressure and can guard the other teams best perimeter player. Sydney Watkins plays very hard as well. No doubt a key to Indiana Elite’s Thunder defensive success. She’s tough on the ball and gets on the floor. Quite possibly the cornerstone to a pretty good defense. Kendall Bostic was very, very good as well. Bostic’s instincts in the paint on both ends of the court are elite. They way she rebounds and outlets the ball is a real weapon. She stretches the floor on offense with her ability to shoot but does nuclear bomb type damage when she catches on the block. Bigs don’t Ms. Basketball often, but Bostic could break the mold. Bostic’s post buddy is Katelyn Young, a very physical and fundamentally sound lefty.
Young was very efficient over the weekend. She seemingly caught and finished everything in her orbit, amassing easy points and rebounds that many teams won’t be able to get. I was most impressed with Rachel Loobie. Her athleticism, jumping ability, and rebounding prowess are well chronicled, but she shot with an improved accuracy on her shot from distance that I didn’t see last year. I remember thinking ‘If Rachel Loobie adds range to her game, she has the talent to be special.’ Loobie seems poised to turn some heads at the high major level.
Young was very efficient over the weekend. She seemingly caught and finished everything in her orbit, amassing easy points and rebounds that many teams won’t be able to get. I was most impressed with Rachel Loobie. Her athleticism, jumping ability, and rebounding prowess are well chronicled, but she shot with an improved accuracy on her shot from distance that I didn’t see last year. I remember thinking ‘If Rachel Loobie adds range to her game, she has the talent to be special.’ Loobie seems poised to turn some heads at the high major level.
Nike Lady Gym Rats Silver EYBL
It’s early in the travel season, but unfortunately, the injury bug has bitten the Nike Lady Gym Rats top team. They have few key injuries with Shelby Calhoun, and Sydney Parrish out due to injury. Needless to say, NLGR will be much better when they return. As with all wounds, it's a great time for other players to get more experience and opportunities step up. Jayla Smith is one of those players honing in on her chance. Smith is a long, athletic, and smooth guard that allows the game to come to her. She seems to be an opportunist on the offensive end this weekend, but I have a sneaky suspicion that she has more to give and will create more opportunities for herself and others as the season wears on. Ari Wiggins was in mid-season form. Though she is still one of the youngest players on the team, Wiggins is seasoned at this level of play, and it showed this weekend. Wiggins looks exceptionally comfortable on the court. She stepped into her three effortlessly and handled pressure with composure. When NLGR needed baskets, she showed the ability to get one herself or set someone else up. Wiggins is a silky smooth PG that has had the word potential attached to her name for a long time, but her time is now, and she is ready to solidify her name in the pantheon of top PGs in the county in the 2021 class.
2021 Hanna Knoll 5’8” PG Indiana Flight 16U UAA
I could have used this slot to write about any player in the Indiana Flight 16U backcourt, but this time I’ll choose Hanna Knoll. Along with Katie Burton and Lilliann Frasure, the Indiana Flight backcourt is as diverse as it is good. Hanna Knoll has a commanding presence on the court. She moves with a certain swag that communicates competitive confidence in her game. Her on-court anticipation and skill set speaks to the countless hours I’m sure Knoll spends in the gym. From time to time, she will infuse the game with flair and dazzling play, but she also has a knack for getting the simple things done in simple ways. This weekend she was able to finish around the basket in a plethora of ways while finding the balance of using her skills and talents to put others in a position to score.
2021 Meg Newman 6’2” SF Indiana Elite WBB
It seems like I’ve been hearing about Meg Newman for about 20 years now! So rightfully so, Newman has been consistently putting her imprint on the Indiana girls basketball landscape for a while now. She’s tall, long, and strong and runs the floor very well. Also, she can get going on the offensive end in the blink of an eye in Saturday evenings game vs. Indiana Flight 16U, Newman single-handedly orchestrated an 8-0 run with an assist and three straight baskets in the second half before Flight was forced to call a timeout to try to stop the bleeding. However, that run proved to be enough for and Indiana Elite win and enough to see that Meg Newman is a proven force to be reckoned with.
2022 Jessica Carrothers 5’8” PG Indiana Elite Prime
Concerning Jessica Carrothers and Indiana Elite Prime…
1. You have to have excellent guard play to win many games.
2. Jessica Carrothers has great guard play.
3. Indiana Elite Prime is going to win many games.
2. Jessica Carrothers has great guard play.
3. Indiana Elite Prime is going to win many games.
There is a long list of things to like about Carrothers. She’s heady…off the charts smart. She passes exceptionally well and has a knack for scoring though she has an unorthodox shot. The concoction of things she brings to the table makes her very difficult to deal with. I saw at least two games she was being face-guarded. One of those games, the decision wasn’t made to face-guard so much for her scoring but her sheer impact on the game. The bottom line is Jessica Carrothers plays winning basketball.
2020 Keegan Sullivan 5’11” G SkyDigg Flight 17U Sullivan
One could argue that there was no one more important to their team at the Shamrock Classic than Keegan Sullivan was for SkyDigg Flight. Not only did she average 20+ points per game for her team but she was clutch in every close late-game moment for her team. Sullivan converted a game-winning and one vs. Indiana Elite WBB. Then, she followed that up with a triple at the buzzer to send a game into overtime vs. Gym Rats Silver which SkyDigg would end up winning 75-68. Keegan was ferocious attacking the basket and putting pressure on the opponent. She seemingly was able to create shots for herself when she determined it to be necessary all while creating shots for others. Sullivan used a unique blend of skill, speed, and strength to make an indelible early travel season impact this weekend. Perhaps sending a message to all involved to not forget her in the 2020 Ms. Basketball race.
2020 Aliyah Evans 5’10” SF Indiana Flight - Storm
I enjoy what I do. There’s nothing like sitting in the bleachers, and seeing a kid you’ve never seen before doing something to make you smile lean back, and say, “did you see that?” Aliyah had that kind of effect on me. Evans uses a variety of ball fakes to create shots for herself and others. Up-and-under, shimmies, fake reverse lay-up to spin and finish with the right (I’m smiling as I type), and so much more. She also knocked down a triple, but in all, Evans is creative and comfortable in her own skin. A joy to watch!
A Few Young PG’s on the Rise
2023 Ashlynn Shade PG 5’9” IGB Morse - Gold
Ashlynn Shade led a group of 8th graders into the Lion’s Den, also known as the Open Division at the 2019 Shamrock Classic. The Open Division is the home of some of the top high school teams in Indiana. IGB Morse - Gold used this opportunity to have their players cut their teeth, and they came out of the den with respect and a shocking victory over a tough Indiana Flight 16U team. Shade, always oozing with moxie, was tremendous over the course of the weekend. When I got the chance to see her play, I was immediately taken by her body language. It was the body language of a kid who believed she belonged on the court no matter the opposition. Then, she proceeded to attack! Attack! Attack! No conscience…just grit! She’s good with the ball and off the ball on the offensive end. She scored on all three levels, from a pull up 3 in transition to a flash to the mid-post from the opposite wing that resulted in a fadeaway jumper off of a head and shoulder shimmy. It’s been almost a year since the first time I saw her at the Jr. NBA qualifying rounds, but I still feel the same: Ashlynn Shade is one of the top 2023s in the country.
2024 Joirdan Smith PG 5’2” Team Teague
I love the kids that grind and play fearlessly. They chase their man all over the court. They dive for and get loose balls. They put a demand on their conditioning even though that have good motors. They find a way to get rebounds in traffic in spite of their size. However, when those kind of kids are skilled and have all types of gym rat swag, it makes all the difference. Ladies and gentlemen, Joirdan Smith!
2023 Jocelyn Davis PG 5’2” Team Teague
Jocelyn Davis is freaky fast with a whole lot of heart. That alone is going to be cause for concern for future opponents. Now add that Jocelyn is already showing the ability to shoot the pull-up jumper over taller defenders and find a way to finish with the floater in the paint. Then add to that, she’s a plus defender and seems to enjoy mixing it up (being physical, rebounding, etc.) on the defensive end. Well then, we have got the ingredients for a very good PG. Look for Davis to have a stellar summer.
2024 Talia Harris PG 5’6” Team Teague
Smooth! Like your favorite cold drink going down on a blisteringly hot summer afternoon. Talia Harris has composure beyond her years, and she's leveraging that to compete against older and stronger competitors. However, its no problem because of her ability to slash and finish shots in the lane, with touch, off the glass. Harris will stroke the three as well as leaving defenders and coaches to wonder how to defend her best. The fact that she is a willing passer and can create for others will inevitably make that task harder and harder as she matures. Harris is definitely one to watch and already one of Indiana's top middle school PGs.
