Indianapolis, IN: Indiana’s Finest ascended on Ben Davis High School for the IBCA Top 100 Showcase this past Monday for a one-day event. The showcase consisted of stations ranging from team transition drill work to individual drill work led by some of the best coaches from all over Indiana. Following station, work was three sessions of games that gave all girls an opportunity to compete and measure up. The games had good pace and were competitive. Some of the up-and-comers got a chance to go after some of the top names which made for some intriguing moments. In all, it was just good to be in a gym, in the Hoosier State, with great talent.
6’0” Rachel Loobie 2020 F Franklin Central HS
Loobie is a terror on the glass. She uses her frame and athleticism to dominate on the boards. She was the best jumper 6’0” and over at the event. Loobie seemed to find another gear when pursuing rebounds as she was able to elevate over taller players. Off defensive rebounds, she showed the ability to lead the break. She is unselfish on the offensive end, even at times seemingly too unselfish in making the extra pass when she could have used her ability to jump to finish shots. She also used her ability to elevate to block shots and be a force in the paint. Loobie also features a good turn around midrange jumper. Look for Rachel Loobie to break out for the Franklin Central Flashes this year.
Loobie is a terror on the glass. She uses her frame and athleticism to dominate on the boards. She was the best jumper 6’0” and over at the event. Loobie seemed to find another gear when pursuing rebounds as she was able to elevate over taller players. Off defensive rebounds, she showed the ability to lead the break. She is unselfish on the offensive end, even at times seemingly too unselfish in making the extra pass when she could have used her ability to jump to finish shots. She also used her ability to elevate to block shots and be a force in the paint. Loobie also features a good turn around midrange jumper. Look for Rachel Loobie to break out for the Franklin Central Flashes this year.
5’8” Ally Becki 2021 G Brownsburg HS
Ally Becki is good. She’s got a very mature game and basketball IQ beyond her years. She has a great first step that allows her to consistently beat her defender to put a lot of pressure on the help. But by the time the help gets to Ally, she always seemed one step ahead as she was able to finish layups from multiple angles or find open teammates. Becki has a relentless nature to her game as well. Always probing, always looking for an opportunity to score either herself or making sure she passes it to a teammate that only has to make one more move to score. Let’s make no mistake about it, Ally is a playmaker, and she’ll be making plays for some D1 school soon enough.
5’7” Ella Thompson 2019 G Center Grove HS
A lot of times, players who can shoot at a high level can shoot at a high level because that's all they spend time doing. If a kid has a great handle, then, of course, it’s because they spend countless hours just handling the ball. But with Ella Thompson, I can order a handle and shooter combo meal with fries and a drink lol. Thompson’s game shouts “gym rat.” The way she handles along with the consistency and range on her shot is extraordinary. At the IBCA Top 100 Showcase, the full repertoire was on display as she used her handle to get anywhere she wanted on the court. Even finishing a few tough baskets at the rim among the trees. Ella also knocked down open threes off of draw and kicks. Over the last few months, I’ve seen Ella, she been incredibly efficient from 3 and today was no different.
5’8” Emma Utterback 2019 G Center Grove HS
Emma Utterback was very impressive. She has a high motor, and she used that motor to run circles around defenders. She has a really good handle. She finished in transition and off the dribble in the half court with both hands. And I’m a firm believer; if you are going to be a scoring guard under 6 feet tall, you have to have a pull-up jumper. Utterback has a textbook pull-up jumper and its deadly. Emma is poised for another great year for Center Grove
5’11” Taylor Boruff 2019 G Taylor HS
Boruff was fun to watch because she’s got a lot in her bag! She’s got some serious swagger and confidence in her game too. You have to love kids who play with confidence. She’s got a sweet lefty stroke from behind the arc and a good handle. Her “A” game is keeping the defense off balance off the bounce where she can create for herself and for others. She has good court vision too. Boruff completed a few no-look passes over the course of the two games I watched that produced some giggles I couldn’t keep in. Boruff was worth the price of admission and worth a look from some D1 schools.
5’7” Sydney Freeman 2019 G Central Noble HS
Sydney, Sydney, SYDNEY!!! I couldn’t get enough of this kid's businesslike demeanor and big-time game. She seems like the kind of kid who would be unphased by the even the most hopeless of situations. Her composure is off the charts, and she used that composure during a 90-second span to knock down three triples that seemingly didn’t even touch the net. She was awesome in transition and made great decisions. She operated well in traffic finishing layups from multiple angles or kicking the ball out to available shooters. Sydney has all kinds of game and is going to be tough to stop this upcoming season for Central Noble.
5’10" Kiara Lewis 2020 PF Lafayette Jefferson HS
Ok, so, Kiara Lewis is the strongest girl I’ve ever seen!!! Her physical play and willingness to fight for every rebound and loose ball is flat out jaw-dropping. When she’s about to set a screen, my stomach would turn in knots almost leading me to scream out “SCREEN” to save whatever poor girl would have to endure running into a wall. Lewis is a loose ball vacuum. I’m sure she has no less than five-floor burns…on each limb. Seriously, she played so hard it was uncomfortable. She played some of the events top post players extremely tough. She’s a raw talent, but with the right role, she’s the kind of girl that will do the dirty work for a champ
