This year was the first year for the Hoops for Harvest event at Dixie Heights High School in Northern Kentucky. Needless to say, the Hoops for Harvest was a successful event that featured a great atmosphere, great games, and great hospitality. Dixie Heights High School teamed up with Bret McCormick to bring in some of the top teams in Kentucky as well as teams from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee.
This recap will feature a breakdown of the event and some of the standout players.
Scott High School (Covington, KY)
Scott High School found themselves on the wrong end of a game-winning shot, but the team still impressed in a competitive game against Northwestern. Junior guard, Anna Clephane, led the way for Scott in the game putting up an impressive 27 points. Clephane scored from all three levels on the floor including an aggressive attack to the basket. Alexis Stapleton hit the biggest shot of the game for Scott as she knocked down a huge three pointer late in the game. Stapleton was an impressive guard that played really well, and displayed a high IQ with the decisions she made in certain points of the game. Summer Secrist also played well with her high energy and three-point shooting ability.
Plainfield High School (Plainfield, IN)
Plainfield had an impressive group of players. They were led by Northern Illinois signee Riley Blackwell. Blackwell showed her versatility as she handled the ball in the press, played on the perimeter, and played in the post. North Illinois is getting a very nice player in Blackwell. Plainfield also saw nice play from Evansville signee Kayla Casteel as well as Junior guard Samantha Olinger. Casteel and Olinger both proved to be D-1 guards.
Mercer County High School (Harrodsburg, KY)
Mercer County stood strong against a very good Hamilton Heights team. There were points in the game where it looked like the game could get out of hand to only see Mercer County scrap its way right back into the game. Mercer County has a nice group of players led by Louisville commit, Seygan Robins. Robins was very impressive in the game dropping off some amazing passes en route to leading her team in scoring. Robins was complimented at the guard spot by SEMO commit Lexy Lake as well as uncommitted senior Lyric Houston. Emmy Souder played well despite going down late in the game with an injury.
Pickerington Central High School (Columbus, OH)
Pickerington Central had a slew of big time prospects. Sophomore Madison Greene had a big game at the point guard spot. Her ability to shoot the three, get to the basket, or just getting the offense set-up made her an impressive player. She also had help from sophomore Maliya Perry. Perry was a big guard with nice handles, a pure stroke, and big time athleticism. If both of those players continue to progress as players, I would assume that both have the potential to wind with some nice college offers. Pickerington Central also had a nice trio of D-1 post players in Kyla Whitehead, Bexley Wallace, and J'Lana Stone. Pickerington Central is a team worth watching for every collegiate level.