SPRINGFIELD, Va.—While the setting may have changed multiple times over the past several years, the annual She Got Game Classic continues to consistently provide an early holiday gift for players, fans, recruiters and evaluators alike.  The new address this year was The St. James Sports, Wellness and Entertainment Complex, a sparkling new state of the art facility in metropolitan D.C. that may well have no peer in terms of multi-use sports facilities, clubs etc…  This year 142 teams made their way to the nation’s capital representing 11 states, the District of Columbia and our neighbors north of the border in Canada.

“Classic” is not just the name of the event but the format as well.  Most teams enjoyed at least two predetermined games of competition across a three day event that included many high profile players and several teams generating early interest in national polling if you’re so inclined.  With many universities either beginning or ending their own final exams, the college folks were out in force following signees, commitments, babysitting young favorites or doing some valuable window shopping court to court.

That Court to Court thing is an issue for this old coach.  Below the following evaluations are some observations and concerns of packaging scholastic basketball into a mass club/travel setting.  This mild “rant” is in no way a reflection on this impressive facility in any way nor even this specific tournament by itself.  It’s just a small reminder of some of the differences in scholastic basketball and those mass produced spring and summer events.  Please take some time to consider the observations whether you are a coach, player, parent or just a fan.  There was plenty of conversation courtside by college coaches, evaluators and even a few competing coaches that reflected similar concerns.

That being said, there was plenty of talent on hand and here are some that are beginning to hit their stride as the 2019 – 20 season moves into high gear.  As always there was no way to see them all and many we had seen recently so we may not have gotten another look this time around.  Additionally, MANY competing coaches did not take the time to completely fill out their rosters and provide recruiters and media with appropriate information.  Many athletes wasted their time this weekend with overlooked strong performances because of a coach’s lack of effort on their behalf.  Parents need to hold them accountable.

Janiah Barker – 2022 – 6-1 – Forward – Tampa Bay Tech – One of the most versatile on the high school level…Tools allow her to excel inside and out…Size is there to handle the interior game but agility lets her work the perimeter as well…Ballskills make her a threat virtually anywhere on the catch…She can push the break, drive from the perimeter or pull up for the midrange…Always looking to improve her options…Increased focus is making her production more and more consistent

Tabitha Amanze – 2022 – 6-3 – Post – Blair Academy – Still displaying all the length and athleticism…Gets out and runs the floor…Exceptional agility…Exhibits a basic skill set on the block…Needs additional counters…Impressive on the glass but reliant on size rather than position

Kendall Bennett – 2023 – 6-2 – Forward – Germantown Academy – Good size and frame for a young post…Active…In the middle of most plays…Good grasp of her role and what options are there for her…Gets out in transition…A presence on the boards…Just scratching the surface

Kayla Blackshear – 2021 – 6-0 – Forward – Lake Highland Prep – Physically strong…Competes with an attacking mentality…Takes it into traffic with authority…Has the strength to mix it up with the bigs…Goes up quickly and handles bodies on her…Agile feet allow her to defend multiple spots in multiple schemes

Kiandra Brown – 2021 – 6-3 – Post – Winston Salem Christian – Good size with a solid build to go with it…Methodical but effective…High post drive is there…Physically strong and willing to use it…Will battle

Jadyn Donovan – 2023 – 6-0 – Forward – Sidwell Friends – Showed off some of the possibilities she has…Playing with effort and intensity in both halfcourt and transition…Must find a way to stay on the floor and avoid foul situations….Length and agility on defense can be a true weapon but can be used in a smart manner as well…Can’t fault her enthusiasm on defense, just need to keep her in the game

Alphonsia Eleko – 2022 – 6-0 – Forward – E.S. Saint-Laurent – Young athletic forward…Lean build…Good agility…Quick attack on the catch…Can create and improve her own to a degree…Upright at times off the dribble…Elevates and gets off the floor quickly on the boards and defensively…Added strength would be an enormous asset

Maryan Eniafe – 2023 – 6-2 – Post – Maret School – Plenty of size on a big time frame…Strength is already an asset…Knows how to use her body to create options…Lefthander…Goes up aggressively…More refinement is in order but far from raw…Battles on the boards…Watch

Kennedy Fauntleroy – 2022 – 5-7 – Guard – New Hope – Combo at this point…Gaining confidence each time out…Gets into traffic with ease…Can finish herself or deliver the interior pass…Pull up is quick and effective…Speed and quickness demands tight close outs…First step off the dribble is ultra-quick…Recognizes defensive shifts fairly well on the drive…Only going to get better

Sania Feagin – 2021 – 6-4 – Forward/Post – Forest Park – Ultimate in versatility…Size, skills and athleticism are all top tier…Continues to live up to her status…Mixing her opportunities with tremendous efficiency…First step is equal to many elite guards…Rises up on midrange pull up…Touch and range are there even deeper…Confidence abounds without it being a problem…Showing more and more intensity on the other end and on the glass…Playing physical without becoming frustrated with it

Piath Gabriel – 2020 – 6-5 – Post – Bradford Christian Academy – UConn signee…All the size, strength and agility…Playing with more confidence…Effort is getting her in the middle of action more and more often…Active posting…Understands angles…Can finish efficiently…Has tools to work further from the rim…High post drive is impressive and covers a lot of ground…Impact defender who can change both shots and passes

Nyla Harris – 2022 – 6-1 – Forward – Lake Highland Prep – Good size and length…Physically strong…Reads on the catch…Attacks with awareness…Goes up aggressively…Runs the floor with the guards at times…Rebounds effectively

Jaylin Hartman – 2023 – 6-0 – Wing – Blair Academy – Added size…Smooth and fluid with the ball…Lengthy first step…Can get to the glass or pull up…Vertical on midrange pull up makes it a challenge to defend…More physical strength will be a real asset…Perimeter shot is off the shoulder to a slight degree

Sahnya Jah – 2023 – 6-1 – Wing/Forward – Bishop McNamara – Yong promising wing…Impressive athletic skills…Nice size with more to come…Can maneuver with the ball…Elevates…Gets out in transition…Lots of tools to be a defensive impact

Ajia James – 2020 – 6-1 – Forward – Bishop O’Connell – Solid size and build…Active with and without the ball…Effective around the rim…Mid-range jumper is complimented by legitimate deeper range…Gets on the boards…Made some plays

Diamond Johnson – 2020 – 5-4 – Point Guard – Neumann Goretti – Rutgers signee – Dynamic one on one scorer…Continues to mix up her play and keep defenders guessing…All moves off the dribble are low, quick and difficult to contest…The release is one of the quickest in scholastic basketball…Step back is creating even more space for her to shoot the long ball…The “suddenness” of her moves challenges even the quickest defenders…Good strength for size…Can create havoc on the ball defensively at times

Drew Jordan – 2023 – 5-9 – Guard – Maret School – Long and lean in the backcourt…Fluid and smooth with the ball in her hands…Uses both hands well in her penetration attack…Form is OK…Release could be a bit quicker…Has tools and made some plays

Angelica Jean-Juste – 2021 – 5-9 – Guard – Winston Salem Christian – Physically strong at the guard spot…Explosive speed and quickness…Rough edges to her skills but makes plays…Assertive and physical defender

Stefanie Kulesza – 2021 – 6-0 – Guard/Wing – Conrad School of Science – Constant activity…Understands her role…Knows what she’s looking for…Can mix up attack…Perimeter form is there from long range and pulling up…Can handle contact on the drive…Posts up on occasion…Upright at times off the drive

Bella LaChance – 2020 – 5-6 – Point Guard – St. Thomas Aquinas – Vanderbilt signee…Skilled point guard…Part of an entertaining three point shootout on Day Two…Ballskills allow her to control the pace of the game…Pushing the ball at opportunity…Decisions are sound…Mixes her own options well with the need to set up teammates…Solid interior passing off the drive…Footspeed on defense will need tuned up

Kylee Lewandowski – 2020 – 6-1 – Wing – North Catholic – Richmond signee – Good height on the wing…Leaner build with potential to add strength…Can take it into the paint and develop options…Crossover is exceptional for size…Form is sound…Wingspan serves her well defensively

Liz Martino – 2020 – 5-10 – Guard – Riverdale Baptist – Rutgers signee…Playing with a new exuberance…Becoming more of a threat than simple spotting up…Productive off the drive more consistently…Floater has a high release but a soft effective touch…Making herself an option more often in transition as well…Competitive one on one defender

Ava McGee – 2022 – 5-8 – Guard – Maret School – Physically strong and explosive…Can get to the rim or pull up…Sharp interior passing…Effective on the glass for size and position…Handles physical play well…Left hand has to evolve

Taliyah Medina – 2020 – 6-1 – Forward – Bethlehem Catholic – Solid size and build…Good lower body strength…Impressive skills and instincts…Willing to play physical…Can finish…Impressive work on the offensive boards

Olivia Miles – 2021 – 5-10 – Point Guard – Blair Academy – Tough outing…Struggled to find open court opportunities to attack and exploit…Still exhibited exceptional ballskills…Normal choices took backseat to risk taking passes…Appears to have added some strength…Handles contact efficiently…Normally a legitimate perimeter threat, failed to develop or capitalize on looks…Occupies defensive attention even on a tough day

Grace O’Neill – 2022 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Archbishop Carroll – Young point guard…Decent skills with the ball…Sharp vision and passing…Nice form and stroke

Paulina Paris – 2022 – 5-8 – Point Guard – Albertus Magnus – Confident point guard…Sharp ballhandling and passing skills…Deceiving first step of crossover move…Navigates traffic well…Improves options for herself and teammates…Solid basketball IQ

Bella Perkins – 2021 – 5-9 – Guard – Paul VI – High motor is an understatement…Plenty of effort on both ends…Works to be an option on offense…Takes advantage of opportunities…Touch and range let her exploit mistakes…Gets out in transition often getting the uncontested look…Assertive and active defender…A key to team mindset

Anya Poole – 2020 – 6-2 – Forward – Southeast Raleigh – North Carolina signee…Athletic and active…Making plays consistently on both ends of the floor…Can work down low or from the high post…Ability is there to take it to the hole or pull up…Shows off a good awareness offensively and defensively…A impact presence on the glass…Quick outlets trigger their break

Angel Reese – 2020 – 6-3 – Forward – St. Frances – Maryland signee…Never lets you forget why she’s among the best…Consistency is eluding her right now…Back to back “big time” plays are harder to come by with a target on your back…Length of stride off the drive still sets her up in traffic with options…As the pull up becomes a better option she’ll mix her attack more effectively

KiKi Rice – 2022 – 6-0 – Point Guard – Sidwell Friends – Mixing scoring and distributing more and more effectively…Knows when she needs to call her own number but also getting a good grip on when to set up teammates to keep defenders honest…Pushing the ball and exploiting slow and unaware transition defenses…Reading on the weakside defensively much better

Emma Risch – 2023 – 6-1 – Guard/Wing – Florida Prep – Lethal long range threat…Added length makes her a more challenging match up…Seeing and recognizing options on a bigger scale…Knows how to make herself available…Passing awareness much sharper and efficient…Fluid and very confident with the ball in her hands…Agility and length are there to be a strong defender…Strength?

Madison Scott – 2020 – 6-2 – Wing – Bishop McNamara – Underrated even as a ranked player…Depth is there to her game…Playing with more and more intensity and confidence…Adding a more physical element to her play…Perimeter shot is evolving and key in rounding out her skill set…Making key plays on both ends and making herself a presence on the glass…Still plays like she has something to prove

Kaylah Thomas – 2021 – 6-3 – Post – Riverdale Baptist – Solid with size…Textbook and somewhat mechanical but effective…Goes up confidently with contact…Working hard to be an option in the low post…Clearing space and looking for the ball…Can move opponents defensively…Holds her ground on the box out

Kaylene Smikel – 2022 – 6-0 – Wing – Long Island Lutheran – Emerging wing threat…Finding her confidence and range…Three point consistency opens up other aspects of her attack…Solid frame and build allow her to work with success inside as well…Anticipates defensively…Scraps and gets on the floor

Tatyana Wyche – 2021 – 6-2 – Forward/Post – American Heritage – Physically cut and strong…Agility is exceptional for size…Quick attack on the catch…Attacks the rim…Produced on the offensive boards…Sound for is in place…Impact player both ends of the floor…Twin sister Taliyah equally talented and productive… Represents a top tier dual threat for the defending 6A Florida State Champions

STAY IN THE GYM NOT THE WAREHOUSE

The following thoughts are those of the writer and the writer alone.  They do not represent those of Blue Star, USJN or any of their entities and employees.

While the St. James may possibly represent the gold standard in multi-sport training and competitive facilities and the She Got Game line up was, once again, another quality collection of teams, something got lost this weekend along the way the DMV.  Again, this editorial tangent is not meant as a reflection on the facility or the tournament, it’s more a concern that we’re moving towards a warped merger of club and scholastic basketball in order to facilitate bigger events.  Utilizing a multi-court facility almost immediately alters the physical setting of a high school game and negates important parts of the process.  Let’s take a quick look.

Start with seating.  Minimal bleachers and the loss of separation of a “side” creates a crowded and potentially flammable situation.  In addition, the previous games fans are rushed by the next games supporters hoping to grab some prime real estate.  That limited seating is often relegated to baselines and lesser views because of the side by side configuration of the floors.  The seating configuration also creates continual fan traffic for floors closer to the exits trying the patience of those hoping to see the play right in front of them.

Let’s consider logistics for the players.  No locker rooms and halftime on the bench may be the norm for July but not for a high profile December matchup.  Players and coaches have routines and a need for quiet and privacy.  Additionally, shortening the halftime to maintain a crowded schedule is minimizing another part of the game important both strategically and for physical rest.  Without locker rooms we’ve also got bags piled at the end of the bench providing obstacles and hazards on not only that floor but the neighboring court as well.

Scoreboards are a huge issue.  A small clock on the scorer’s table is hardly appropriate for a regulation high school game.  Coaches have to step out on to the floor looking at time and score in situations that may call for split second decisions.  Point guards need to see time and score in front of them, not behind them at half court.  Officials are challenged as well to hear weaker horns or buzzers and are put in situations to make calls with limited knowledge of time as play progresses.

As long as we’re talking officials, multi-courts mean multi-whistles which have been known to confuse players in adjoining games.  You also have scenarios where two benches in two separate games are back to back. Hardly an optimum situation in an already crowded and noisy gym.  Also, as we see in the summer, getting quality people to run the clocks and keep score is a challenge for multicourt situations.  In a normal high school setting there’s usually an experienced score keeper or clock keeper available.

Multi court facilities can be converted with an expenditure of thought, time and money to emulate a high school gym if an event operator is so inclined.  Club basketball is a whole different setting with different values, priorities and traditions than that of scholastic basketball.  Both have elements that simply don’t translate to the other.  Something special is lost when you apply the Sam’s Club mentality to regular season basketball.  It loses quality, safety, efficiency and changes the habits and routines of programs who, the rest of the year, follow a more traditional path.  I fear we may be opening a door that will be way too “green” to close.