The Bluegrass Cardinal Classic gave high school teams and players the opportunity to play in front of college coaches in a much different way than what you typically see. Normally, college coaches chance to view players comes with their AAU teams at live events. The Bluegrass Cardinal Classic allows players to take advantage of a live period in June with their high school team rather than their AAU team. Below you can read about the 2025 players that stood out to us throughout The Bluegrass Cardinal Classic Team Event and Individual Showcase (listed alphabetically by last name).
Please note: There are a few write-ups below that were already featured on X (@riseupsports1) during the event. Also please take into account that each of us only caught one game per team for the most part, so these notes were based on performance in that specific game. Please let us know if any of the information below is incorrect and we will get it fixed as soon as possible.
Tall, long 3-point shooter with great size and strength. Uses her frame well on the inside to rebound and carve out space. Can stretch the floor with perimeter shooting. Finishes well at the basket. Can handle the ball on the perimeter. Plays with a high motor on both ends. High IQ player who creates mismatches for defenses at 6’2 with her skillset.
-KEVIN CLANCY
Imposing post player with great height for a D1 post. At 6’4, uses her excellent length and mobility to contest shots all over the floor. Very high IQ with great footwork on both ends. Capable of finishing with either hand at the basket. Fundamentally sound player on both ends with a variety of post moves offensively. Unafraid of physicality with her strong frame. Runs the floor extremely well on both ends. Plays with a high motor.
-KEVIN CLANCY
Strader was showing off her 3 level scoring ability, but she was really showing her tough all-around game as a whole. Made some excellent drives and consistently beat defenders off the bounce. Deep range shooter. Crashes boards exceptionally well for a guard.
Summers had a strong showing at GRC. Very solid on both ends of the court. Came up with some nice steals defensively. Active hands. Showed the ability to score in a variety of ways including some really crafty finishes around the basket.
Nice height and length at 6’2. Runs the floor well in transition on both ends. Capable of handling the ball out on the perimeter. Solid finisher around the rim. Good shot blocker who uses her length & feel for the game to disrupt field goal attempts. Does a good job boxing out on both ends. Plays with a high motor. High IQ player.
-KEVIN CLANCY
Long defender who made it difficult for the offensive player around the rim. Shot blocking ability is successful at a high rate. Soft hands around the basket and runs the floor well.
-TONIA WITT (at the Individual Showcase)
Made winning plays on both ends of the floor for the defending Kentucky State Semi-Finalist Cooper Jaguars in all four games at the Cardinal Classic. Long, athletic wing with excellent athleticism, an extremely high motor, and high IQ. Anticipated well on both ends of the floor, intercepting passing lanes and making great passes. Capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor, with her strength being finishing at the rim through traffic. Versatile player who can guard 1 through 4 and play the 2 or 3 offensively.
-KEVIN CLANCY
Van Meter showed a lot of quickness with and without the ball. She made some tough, aggressive drives to the basket. Also was aggressive defensively, coming up with steals and deflections and not making anything easy on whoever she was guarding.
Wardlow’s quick handles make it tough for defenders to stay in front. She was doing a great job facilitating the offense and making good stuff happen. Wardlow was knocking down 3’s and beating players off the bounce to get to the line or create open looks for herself or teammates.
Has good range, sees the floor well, long and athletic, can defend at all three levels. Active around the rim.
-TONIA WITT (at the Individual Showcase)
White obviously has good size, but she also utilizes that size well. Did a good job sealing the defense in the post. Made strong passes off rebounds and in the half-court offense. Good court awareness. Showed a lot of versatility as well as she was also a threat on the perimeter. Nice tough and finished through contact. Strong on the boards.
