Talia Harris
Madeline Freeth of Avon, Indiana, makes a post entry pass at the BCTraining National Academy. *Photo by Anthony Lugardo.
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – The Hoosier State has been a prime location for basketball this summer. We’ve held multiple training academies and club team games but this weekend might have been the best to date. Here’s a first look back at the weekend with a Spotlight session in review:
Amanda Barnes (Mason, Ohio), Midwest Takeover – 2023
Barnes brought good length to the wing here showing that in time she will be a consistent shot maker from the outside. Barnes ability to make the 3-pointer in due time will lead to even more easy looks as defenses close out hard to keep her from shooting it. She has the build to be a quality position defender as well.
Trinity Boone (Edmond, Oklahoma), Unity – 2027
Boone is a dynamic guard who has the ability to score the basketball or distribute at an early age. After training with her in Atlanta just two weeks prior, we were back on the floor working on her game again with some of the top players in the region. Boone is still maturing physically but her attention to detail at an early age is top notch. That gift alone is one to build on and will elevate her to the top of her game as she gets older.
Our staff cannot say enough positive things about Freeth’s development over the past 90 days. She keeps working herself into quality game shape hitting multiple shots off the catch and off the move here. Add that to her willingness to learn the game and Freeth has been a star of the summer in our eyes.
Every evaluation of a player is different than the last in terms of takeaways and areas of growth. Harris showed in this setting that she can be an elite defender in addition to her skill set getting into the line off the bounce, making plays for teammates. As Harris keeps getting physically stronger and more consistent in her offensive output, the sky seems to be the limit for her game.
Veronica Lugo (Indianapolis, Indiana), Lawrence Central – 2024
Lugo is a dynamic, compact option at the guard spot. She plays with a toughness that makes it hard to keep her in from getting into the lane. Lugo also showed a willingness to take and make jump shots out to the 3-point line here. With her speed and quickness, Lugo should also be able to serve as a primary on-ball defensive threat as well. The combination of her offensive game plus that defensive skill will only enhance her game.
Kristlynn Minor (South Bend, Indiana), Marian – 2024
Minor has a solid frame that should allow her to build over the next few years. She showed a toughness in her skill set that lets her take contact and make plays through it. As Minor keeps working on the range on her outside shot, her productivity will increase as a result. She is a wing player capable of doing a myriad of things well including rebounding from her position and defending.
Madelyn Poe (Bargersville, Indiana), Lady Gym Rats – 2024
It’s hard to find campers who come in with Poe’s attitude and energy. She appeared to have as good a time training as our staff did working with her. That’s a rarity and hard to do. Poe can make the open shot focusing on holding her release on every attempt. Over time, she has the skill to be a floor spacer in that way as a player capable of keeping opposing defenses honest.
Elise Preston (Columbus, Indiana), Indiana Flight – 2024
Preston came out of the gate ready to go here shooting the ball with consistency. Her shot mechanics looked good all the way out to the 3-point line. Preston also showed the skill and willingness to attack off the bounce here. If she can keep doing those things while adding to her physical strength, Preston’s production will just keep going up from here.
Sterling looked she’s been putting the time in on her game since the last time we trained earlier in the calendar year. The footwork on her jumper was clean with a consistent followthrough. Like most talented jump shooters at an early age, Sterling can keep growing by learning when to attack off the bounce versus when she has a clean, uncontested shot read. In that way, Sterling is a prospect solidly on our radar.
Mackenzie Thomas (Carmel, Indiana), Lady Gym Rats – 2023
This was our first opportunity to work with Thomas on her skill set. She showed a deft touch around the basket and the emerging ability to be a threat facing the basket as well. Her size and skill package allows Thomas to be a serious factor in the frontcourt. She will rebound and defend as well. In a game that keeps moving towards frontcourt players being able to make plays offensively out to the 3-point line, Thomas has the longterm tools to be able to hit that shot.
We trained with Troy for the first time in Atlanta last winter. Her game has already improved leaps and bounds from that first session. Her confidence shooting the ball jumped off the page here. In that way, Troy is a more than capable scorer showing that she can put the ball on the floor and knock down the open jumper as well. As she keeps filling out, she’ll be even more effective taking contact to finish.
Brandon Clay serves as the Director of Scouting for ProspectsNation.com and owns The BrandonClayScouting.com Evaluation Report, which is read by more than 200 colleges and universities nationwide. He also serves as the Executive Skills Director for the Brandon Clay Scouting Academy Series.
