We helped run a showcase camp for girls from the area, featuring 12 players from around the Chicagoland region. There was a ton of talent across the board, with players who really competed and played well together throughout the event. Of the players in attendance, here are the evaluations from that initial group.

Lillian Kaspar (5’8 SF, Riverside Brookfield 2030)

Kaspar was effective working off the ball throughout the day, looking comfortable as a cutter while hitting some spot-up shots from the perimeter. For a freshman wing, she has decent height already and is able to get shots off against other guards and wings regularly. During the live segments, Kaspar confidently knocked down threes from the corners and wings as a spacer and made a couple of straight-line drives to attack closeouts. As she continues to develop her off-the-dribble game, she brings good positional size and some potential to work well off the ball.

Audrey Schwab (5’5 PG, Batavia 2029)

The skillset and feel stood out for Schwab. She displayed sound footwork and a good understanding of angles during drills, using her body well and understanding how to use different finishes inside. Schwab has some quickness off the bounce as well, which aided her during the scrimmages when collapsing the defense before making good reads in the lane. There is a lot to like about her mechanics and shooting ability off the catch as well, as she showed good range during the shooting portion of the drills with a consistent arc. I also liked how committed she was to staying in front of the ball defensively and communicating actions.

Anna Sankey (5’9 SG, Hoffman Estates 2028)

Sankey was lights-out shooting the ball during the drill portion of the event and showed a clean, easy release from distance that should translate well. She is a taller guard who makes plays in the flow of the offense, making the extra pass during scrimmages and having her hands and feet ready to let it fly on ball reversals. As a driver, she absorbed bumps well and had no issue getting shots up around the rim against size. Sankey should be an impact player for Hoffman this year.

Essence Hale (5’10 SF/PF, De La Salle 2028)

Hale brought tremendous energy on both ends and was far and away the best rebounder at the event. She was relentless on the glass, regularly shedding box-outs and being the first one off the ground. Her anticipation complements her ability to elevate off the floor and snatch misses, which she showed very well during scrimmages while generating second chances. Hale sprinted the floor for layups and did a nice job of rim running, sealing, and showing a target for guards. When she got touches from the pinch post, Hale made several on-point deliveries to cutters and showed good slashing ability on some keeps. She looks well equipped to be a double-double machine for De La Salle this year.

Adeline Hamernick (5’5 PG/SG, Oak Forest HS 2031)

You wouldn’t know that Hamernick was only an eighth grader by how dynamic and assertive she was from start to finish. She possesses a quick, compact release with deep range and a fearlessness that should serve her well as she moves into high school. Her IQ was on display offensively, making constant backdoor cuts and playing off two feet inside. Hamernick didn’t let a lack of size stop her from putting her head down and getting into the teeth of the lane, where she scored on a variety of scoops and push shots. She also showed a fiery competitiveness on the defensive end, fighting for loose balls and getting tips. Hamernick has a very bright future.

Gabriella McGinn (6’0 PF/C, Glenbard North 2028)

McGinn was physical inside and showed some ability to work on the block and from face-up positions on the perimeter as well. She was effective as a screen outlet, where she had good screen angles and forced switches throughout live play. Whenever she got touches with her back to the basket, McGinn scored over her left shoulder and made some quality deliveries when the help defense overcommitted. In their actions, when she had slot touches, she showed some ability to turn the corner and play through contact on drives. McGinn was also among the better rebounders and showed some good interior footwork in the lane.

Alaina Finck (5’4 PG/SG, Wheaton Academy 2028)

The Wheaton Academy guard was aggressive all day, looking to get paint touches and using her speed to get to the rim regularly. There is a toughness that she showed when attacking in one-on-one situations that gave her an edge and allowed her to play through bumps fairly well. When she absorbed help, she made some really nice passes to shooters and cutters that ended up wide open after the defense had to step over. The dribble-drive game is there, and she has the passing ability to complement it, which will be beneficial when playing against size going forward.

Ella Neidlinger (5’11 PF/C, Glenbard West 2031)

Another eighth grader in attendance, Neidlinger already has plus size in the frontcourt and moves well for a middle schooler with her height. I was impressed with how well she sealed on the inside and her willingness to battle for position and finish through some hits. She has good touch in and around the lane, showing the potential to stretch out past the three-point line as she gets more consistent mechanically with time. The 5-foot-11 forward was running the floor well on both ends, showed some ability to put it on the deck, and did a nice job of contesting shots and moving her feet defensively. There appears to be plenty of upside for the future Hilltopper.

Julianna McGinn (5’11 PF/C, Glenbard North 2029)

McGinn provided a presence inside, battling with her sister on the block for much of the scrimmage and showing plenty of promise in her own right. She has the feel to use drop steps and shot fakes inside to get defenders off balance and can be a productive finisher when she plays at her own pace. Oftentimes playing on the perimeter as well in 5-out actions, McGinn drove it to her strong hand on several occasions successfully. She should form a solid interior duo for GBN.

KaMora Clinkscales (6’1 SF/PF, York 2027)

There were a lot of promising flashes from Clinkscales, who has a unique blend of length and perimeter skills. From a mechanics standpoint, her jump shot is fluid and repeatable, with consistent rotation and plenty of distance to tap into. Throughout the day, she was hitting all net on mid-range and three-point looks. Clinkscales is a fluid mover on the wing and in space, with some ball skills to create advantages and the height/length combination to score over the top of help defenders. There was similar intrigue on the defensive end, where her mobility and comfort covering ground make her an impactful multi-positional defender. She should have several options at the college level.

KK James (5’8 PG, Hoffman Estates 2029)

James was one of the more dynamic guards at the event, showing an all-around game and natural ability that was impressive for a sophomore. Her athleticism jumped out when penetrating from the perimeter, using a good first step and showing body control around the rim to finish. Her three-point shot was nearly automatic during drills, and she showed the type of proficiency from distance that should be a factor for the foreseeable future. Once the live play started, her unselfishness and willingness to make the extra pass and compete on the defensive end stood out. She worked hard to stay in front of the ball, recover, and finish possessions with rebounds. James has several ways to impact games and showed just about all of them during the event.

Maddie Molitor (5’3 PG, Batavia 2030)

Molitor is a point guard who possesses a long list of winning traits. Her point-of-attack defense was notable, regularly cutting off other guards and making life difficult when ball-handlers were trying to get into their actions. She compiled several steals from her ball pressure and jumping into passing lanes. Molitor shows some of the traditional signs of a guard who you want handling the ball late in games. She had the ball skills and intellect to get her team into offense, got paint touches, sprayed the ball out to teammates, and played under control in the process. Molitor also showed that she can really shoot the ball from the perimeter, both off the catch and on the move, with great consistency when she has open looks. Batavia has another difference-maker in the backcourt for years to come.