KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The NBA Finals are underway, the USA Trials are behind us and the 2016 club season is just about at its midway point. While a lot of programs slow down a bit in June to accommodate high school team camps or to pace themselves before the mad sprint of July, others are still finding their way to the gym to compete in some of the established and well respected events that make up the travel calendar.
For the 11th year USJN once again provided the stage in Kansas City for the annual Battle at the Border. Almost 100 teams were on hand representing 10 different states. In all, 17 floors of competition provided plenty of action for those sitting courtside and in the stands. Despite not being a Division – I Evaluation period over 60 recruiters, evaluators and media were on hand throughout the weekend.
When all was said and done, six division winners went home with bragging rights. The Kansas Hoopsters, Kansas Elite and Kansas Pride claimed honors in the older divisions. Two more teams from the Sunflower State took two of the three younger categories while the All Nebraska Attack cracked the stranglehold in winning their division.
For a list of all the participating teams, pool All Stars, college programs in attendance and more, follow the link below to the USJN post event page:
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=366
There were a few rising seniors who had some moments in KC but there was lots of youth worth taking note of as well. Here are some of the performances that showed plenty of promise over the weekend.
Kansas Eclipse Blue Star endured some roller coaster play over the weekend. They still got some strong moments from Washington verbal commit Kierra Collier, a 2017 grad. The 5-8 guard is explosive with the ball in her hands and knows how to get to the rim. The pull up is there as well and the left hander relies on some strong elevation to create some good looks at the rim off her penetration. On occasion she will utilize the dribble more than necessary rather than picking her spot to attack. Collier is quick and aggressive on the ball defensively.
Team Xpress got some strong play from 2017 point guard Gabby Connally. The 5-6 standout even worked at the two guard spot a bit over the weekend. On the attack with lots of speed, Connally can create her own looks or improve those of the teammates around her. She got to the rim effectively but also found results with a pull up both from mid-range and deeper. On penetration she also demonstrated a soft touch on a floater that served her well on several occasions. She’s assertive on ball but could be more active two or more passes away.
The Colorado Rockies got some eye catching moments from 6-3 Kira Emsbo. Long, lean and agile, she’s constantly on the move. Her cuts challenge less mobile defenders and few bigs will run the floor the way that she does. Emsbo made some picks and handled it herself a couple of times on the break in impressive fashion. A member of the 2018 class, she’s got some of the tools to work around the rim as well as from the high post or even in a four out. Added strength will serve her well down the line, particularly on the defensive end of the floor.
Alyssa Jimenez of the BC Denver Elite 15’s may only be a 2019 but her game is much more advanced. At 5-11 she’s already got good size on the perimeter and combines it well with a strong skill set. The ballhandling is there but so is the passing to create options for teammates as well as herself. She reads the floor well both in transition and in the halfcourt. The form is there on her shot and she’s quick to follow and hit the boards. Lots of tools…and lots of promise.
The Colorado Premier’s EYBL tenure got off to a rocky start in April but they’ve shown progress in the interim. Part of the reason is the play of 2019 guard / wing Kemery Martin. She’s got a quick release plus a soft touch out to and beyond the three point line. At the same time she can attack the rim effectively and deliver some sharp passes as helpside defenders come her way. Off the ball she’ll need to become more active to keep opponents occupied. Defensively she’s got some length at 5-11 that could allow her to a challenge to smaller guards.
Sydney Mech is also beginning to show much more for the Colorado Premier. At 6-1 the 2018 wing is active with and without the ball. She makes herself an option in transition and has a deceiving vertical that serves her well in traffic. Mech’s build is on the lean side at this point and strength will be a necessary component as time goes by. Like her teammate Martin, her size is an asset on the defensive end as is her agility.
If you’re a basketball purist it’s hard not to be impressed by the Kansas Hoopsters and their 2017 guard Madison Piper. Their execution is textbook and Piper is an iatrical part of that attack. She’s physically strong at 5-10 and efficient from the perimeter or off the drive. On the catch she has a quick release but reads defenders well and can attack with the best of them. Even off the pass she’s relocating and making herself an option while keeping defenders occupied. Defensively she’s physical but may be challenged by some of the ultra-quick smaller match ups at the next level.
BC Denver Elite got some strong play from 6-2 forward Laura Pranger. A 2017 grad, she provided a mix of skills both down low and from the perimeter. On the catch she is capable of creating her own looks with some well-schooled post moves but can also do the same from 15 feet away off the dribble. For good measure she even called on a reliable hook that provided some results. Pranger also delivered some solid interior passing both in traffic down low as well as from the trail spot or elbows. She may be one of those rare individuals recognizing the fact that she’s a true “#4” and embracing the role.
One of the more explosive athletes in the gym was Chandlar Prater of the Kansas Elite. Just a 2019, Prater stands 5-10 and has quickness, speed and strength that she puts to good use on both ends of the floor. She has the versatility to play multiple positions at this point but most likely will end up a #2 or #3 as her career progresses. On the attack her first step gets her past most defenders and her vertical makes her a challenging threat in traffic. Her form looked sound at the line but we didn’t see her take too many from the perimeter within halfcourt play. Defensively her lateral speed makes her an impact player on the ball. On the weakside she anticipates well and hits the boards with assertiveness.
Taylor Robertson played some of the more instinctual basketball you’ll see in a club setting. The 5-9 guard is at her best with the ball in her hands and can create both shots and passes at will. Her individual skills serve her well in transition as well as a halfcourt setting. If she’s not the outlet on the break she runs the floor making herself an option or creating numbers situations. Playing for the NLHA Adidas team, the 2018 Robertson showed the potential to spot up from deep or to develop her own looks off the drive. She took some chances on the defensive end but anticipates well on the weakside of the floor.
Stephanie Soares continues to evolve for Team Xpress. The 6-5 junior to be even shows advancement within the confines of an individual event. Long and lean, she’s mobile, active and making herself more of a factor on both ends. Soares appears to be wanting the ball more and is being aggressive off the cut or posting up. Defensively she rotates well and can alter the shots of her own match up or penetrating opponents. She has a good frame and will be even more of a factor as she matures and adds strength.
Easily one of the more promising efforts of the event came from one of the youngest players on hand. Peyton Verhulst, a 2021 combo, is already showing a versatile and promising game. Standing 5-10, she’s also doing it while playing “up” and competing with those who have four years of experience and maturity on her. The ball skills are in place and she shows good discretion as to when to attack and to be patient playing for the Kansas Eclipse. She connected both spotting up as well as pulling up on penetration. Verhulst can also take it all the way to the rim and will be more and more efficient as time and Mother Nature add some strength and bulk to her frame. Mom played in the ACC so you can count on some good advice at home.
QUICKHITTERS (Alphabetically)
Baylee Bilyeu – 2018 – 6-2 – Post – Sho-Me Heat – Size…Solid…Deceiving, quick attack…Post reads…Works hard but tired at times
Delaynie Byrne – 2018 – 6-2 – Forward – BC Denver Elite – Size and Frame…Runs the floor well…Has range…Good step back for size…Reads defenders
Kyla Callins – 2017 – 5-10 – Guard – NLHA Adidas – Sound athlete…Made plays…Lots of effort…Deceiving first step…Odd but effective shot…Handled contact
Peyton Carter – 2017 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Colorado Rockies – Attacking ballhandler…Sees the floor…Good choices in traffic…Splits defenders…Needs to turn up on ball defense
Adrianne Chambers – 2018 – 5-10 – Wing / Guard…Arkansas Ice – Athletic…Speed with the ball…Jumper is there…On ball defender
Camilla Emsbo – 2018 – 6-3 – Forward / Post – Colorado Rockies – Size and length…Lean build…Active…Decent form…Runs the floor…Plays with effort
Tiana Gipson – 2018 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Della Lamb Gauntlet – Tiny but speedy point guard…Ultra-quick first step…Pushes it from make, miss and turnover…Shot needs refinement
Jaelyn Glenn – 2021 – 5-11 – Guard – KC Future – Some length for age…Decent ballhandling …Crossover…First Step…Creates some options…Young with possibilities
Abby Hipp – 2017 – 6-1 – Forward / Post – Kansas Hoopsters – Solid build…Active with and without the ball…Vision and passing up high and down low…Physically strong…Baby hook
Tania Jones – 2020 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Lady Proskills – Athletic…Plenty of acceleration with the ball…Penetrated…Good choices in traffic…Floater
Trinity Knapp – 2019 – 6-2 – Forward / Post – Kansas Eclipse – Size and build…Has been coached…Methodical but has moments…Tools are there
Emma List – 2017 – 5-10 – Guard – Colorado Rockies – Physically strong guard…Impressive first step…Active without the ball…Effective in traffic…Physical defender
Jordan Sanders – 2017 – 5-10 – Wing / Forward – Della Lamb Storm – Active…Strong…More a forward…Some ballhandling…Aggressive at times
Andrea Sweat – 2020 – 6-1 – Wing – Kansas Chaos – Length with a wiry build…Active…Cuts hard…Some ballhandling and passing…Spot up shooter…Lots of promise
Ashton Verhulst – 2020 – 6-1 – Forward – Kansas Eclipse – Active forward…Post moves are in place…Hook with both hands…Strong passing skills…Good instincts
Evan Zars – 2018 – 6-1 – Forward – Kansas Elite – Runs the floor…Makes herself an option…Can create some…High post drive
