Duke's Summer Shootout Recap
Every year, Elizabethtown hosts one of the premier summer events in Duke's Summer Shootout. With teams from Kentucky and Indiana, the event opened up with some highly competitive teams and games.
Assumption
With proven winner Stacy Pendleton now leading the Rockets, Assumption is poised to turn around its program. At first glance, 2020 Maddie Nalley is a unique prospect with her size and guard-like skill set. Nalley has great court vision and can push the ball in transition off of a defensive rebound. At the high post, she does a great job of taking bigger, slower defenders off the dribble. By adding strength to her frame, she will be a tough player to defend. 2019 Abby McQueary showed some extended range, knocking down 3-point shots. In past years she has played in the high post, but becoming a true scoring option from the perimeter will take her game to the next level.
Bullitt East
The Lady Chargers were shorthanded due to injuries but battled in back to back to back games against E-Town, Assumption, and Eastern. 2020 Lexi Taylor is clearly Bullitt East’s primary scorer, but it was the contributions from her teammates that stood out the most. Without 2019 Emmy Ralph, 2020 Sarah Ezell proved to be a great back up point guard. She pushed the pace, made plays in transition, and consistently knocked down 3-point shots. 2020 Caroline Scott has made noticeable improvements to her game, adding a defensive intensity that often leads to fast break opportunities. Her court vision and ability to find cutters has also been impressive. As the day continued, 2020's Catie Bacon and Madison Thornton became a presence in the paint. Bacon operated well in the middle of the zone, finding open players and knocking down midrange shots. Thornton runs the floor well but could become a bigger low post threat by timing her post ups better.
Eastern
Much of the Eagles' success will rely on the play of 2019's Mikayla Kinnard and Kiara Pearl. Kinnard established her presence early, getting to the rim on almost every fast break opportunity. The development of a pull up jumper or consistent floater will make her an automatic bucket in the paint. Extending her game to the perimeter will also better establish her abilities as a 2 or 3 guard at the next level. Pearl has nice size and a great build, which will translate well in college. With a consistent outside shot and working on finishing strong at the rim, she could become a more efficient scorer.
Elizabethtown
The Panthers will once again be led by 2020 Whitney Hay. Despite not having 2019 Leikyn Walker, E-Town has added Bethlehem transfer 2020 Ellie Taylor. With her length, activity on the defensive end, and excellent court vision, Taylor is a nice complement to Hay's scoring ability. Known as a driver, Taylor took on some of the ball handling duties and effectively attacked the gaps. With the development of her jump shot, Taylor could be another prolific scorer in Kentucky's 2020 class. Hay's ability to score at all three levels was on full display. Throughout the day, she also showcased her passing by getting teammates involved in the half court and in transition. Expect for Hay and Taylor to be a nightmare of a backcourt tandem.
Mercy
The defending state runner-up took on two Sweet 16 teams in Owensboro Catholic and E-Town and came out victorious. 2020 TT Jenks looks much more comfortable and under control handling the ball. When running the point, she made some phenomenal passes, finding her teammates off of her drives. With added strength to her frame, Jenks could score with greater efficiency at the rim. 2020 Hope Sivori is the engine that drives the Jaguars' success. She is the consummate point guard, finding open players and taking the big shots when the team needs it. Most of her turnovers come from trying to make the standout play, but with greater patience in the half court, her decision making will improve.
South Oldham
2020 Skylar Sahatjian may be a small guard, but she isn’t afraid of taking big shots. She has a tendency to attack gaps with her eyes down, but additional ball handling work can correct that easily. Along with increased consistency on her 3-point shot, Sahatjian could become a scary scoring threat. 2019 Payton Herold paces the Dragons with her steadiness. She uses her strength to get to the rim and has nice form to her jump shot.
2019 Standouts
Amirr Evans - Guard - Elizabethtown
Alyssa Howie - Guard - Spencer County
Kayla Young - Forward - Breckinridge County
2020 Standouts
Elizabeth Bertam - Guard - Barren County
Payton Cronen - Guard - Assumption
Leah Miller - Guard - Salem, IN
Reese Sexton - Guard - Assumption
Paige Taylor - Guard - Mercy
