MERRILLVILLE, Ind.—The NCAA spring evaluation period has come and gone but the club circuit continues to operate at full speed. This past weekend alone USJN offered up four different tournaments as part of the nationwide 44 event 2015 schedule. With all due respect to the incredible moms out there and the annual celebration of Mother’s Day, it was a great weekend to be in the gym.
For the 13th consecutive year the Mid America Challenge brought together some of the Midwest’s top talent. This edition saw 126 teams representing five different states as they competed for titles in eight separate divisions. They weren’t alone as 38 college recruiters took in all the action as well as some of the top evaluators and media in girls basketball.
For complete post event information follow the link below to the USJN home page and check back throughout the summer for a complete rundown of each and every event from the longest running and most respected name in girl’s basketball events.
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=307
Below are some of the impressive performers from Merrillville as well as team images from each of the divisional winners.
The Meanstreets Dreamteam has been looking to put it all together and their success this weekend was a step in the right direction. It’s not a coincidence that power guard Nadia Green had a strong performance and seems to be hitting her stride moving towards her junior season next fall. The ability to attack and create can be summoned almost at will and she challenges any defender that digs in while front of her. The 5-9 guard handles contact well and has the focus to read and deliver on both shots and passes. The toughest opponent she faces is consistency and Green appears to be conquering that challenge. The potential has long been obvious and this summer should be revealing about what she plans to do with it.
The Truth really is…the truth. They were dominant even while playing up a division and may need to give thought playing up another level still to maximize their development. Part of the many reasons on the roster for their success is 5-11 guard / wing Lindsey Rogers. A member of the 2020 class, she’s looking to create both shots and passes on every touch. The ability is there to read the floor and her decision making is sharp for her limited age. Rogers has the combination of size and skills that the college folks are always enamored with. Of course there’s plenty of time and work to be done before that conversation gets too far out of hand.
Jerald Davis and the Chicago Hoops Express have had more than their share of talented players over the years and this time around he’s got several more. Kathleen Doyle is going to catch your eye quickly if you haven’t seen the Express in action before. On the catch she’s always looking to improve both her shot and passing options. Her first step is surprisingly quick and forces on ball defenders to give her a cushion or pay a price. The 5-10 2016 Doyle is feisty and aggressive on both ends and finds a way to insert herself into the action time and again. She’s the kind of player you would rather play with than against.
One of the more impressive point guards in the gym was 2016 Sammie Woodward. The 5-7 Wisconsin Laker has the ability to set and control the pace of the game. Her deceiving speed allows her to push and create from both makes and misses. She reads the floor well and can get the ball where it needs to go as defenders rotate. Her own stroke is smooth, fluid and has plenty of range. There’s plenty of effort defensively both on ball and anticipating from the weakside.
While the Illinois Rockets came up just short in their final on Sunday afternoon they got plenty of strong and consistent production from 2016 point guard Sydney Kopp. Wishfully listed at 5-7, she plays a physically strong game and isn’t going to be outworked. Her skills are text book and the effort she plays with makes her a factor both on the break as well as in the halfcourt. Kopp is also the kind of player that’s going to capitalize on hustle plays and make the difference with the little things.
Haliegh Reinoehl offered up plenty of diverse work for the Sky Digg Elite over the weekend. Good size and lots of length makes her a difficult match up for the defense. At 6-1, she’s active and mobile while possessing the skills to work both as a wing and small forward. The ability is there to put it on the floor to a degree and she’s comfortable knocking down the open jumper. Reinoehl runs the floor in transition and cuts efficiently in the halfcourt. She’ll need to become more physical in her play, particularly on the defensive end, to advance her game and prepare for the next level.
Quickhitters
Frannie Corrigan – 5-11 – Wing / Guard – 2016 – Chicago Hoops Express – Long and lean…Smart…Solid ball skills…Decent form…Lots of effort
Catie Eck – 5-10 – Wing – 2018 – Illinois Predators – Size with perimeter skills…Lean build…Effective off the dribble…Effort…Rushes shot at times
Nicole Ekhomu – 5-9 – Guard – 2016 – Bolingbrook Panthers – High profile guard continues to impress…Good instincts…Passing is sharp…Reads well on penetration…Floater and pull up…Makes plays…Shot selection has moments
Kylie Feuerbach – 5-9 – Guard – 2020 – The Truth – Text book…Shot fake and drive…Ball skills…Basketball IQ…Slashes
Ally Fink – 6-5 – Post – 2016 – Illinois Elite – Lots of size…Solid frame…Moves well…Some tools…Had moments
Morgan Glatczak – 6-3 – Forward – 2016 – WBA Prestige – Size and frame…Good length…Quick outlet…High post drive…Form and range are there…Shot selection?
Sarah Humphrey – 6-1 – Wing / Guard – 2016 – Meanstreets Dreamteam – All the tools…Size and agility…Can create…Acceleration for size…Major impact for multiple defensive schemes
Greta Kampschroeder – 5-10 – Wing – 2021 – The Truth – Sharp ballhandling…Size with potential to grow…Active on the break and in the halfcourt
Jasmine Mitchell – 6-3 – Post – 2017 – Illinois Rockets – Solid build…Attacks down low…Methodical at times…Showed a hook…Defensive speed?
Chante Stonewall – 6-0 – Wing / Forward – 2016 – Illinois Rush – Impressive athlete…Inside – out threat…Interior passing is sharp…Could look for her own more often
Daly Sullivan – 5-9 – Guard – 2017 – Sky Digg Elite – Plays with maturity…Basketball concepts are sharp…On the radar for years…Reads…Creates off changes of speed and direction…Lateral speed defensively?
Allison Van Dyke – 5-11 – Wing – 2016 – Sky Digg Elite – Solid build…Can create…Spots up…Passes it well…Sound ball skills
Brittany Welch – 6-0 – Guard – 2017 – Sky Digg Elite – Athletic guard…Slashes…Aggressive…15 foot range
