RALEIGH, N.C.–The 2013 Deep South Classic had 272 teams from across the nation. Held in the Raleigh Convention Center, 18 courts played host to teams representing almost half of our 50 states. Several highly regarded prospects along with and a few new faces put their best foot forward in front of a large contingent of college coaches. Here are the players that stood out above the rest.
2014
Taylor Gordon (Powder Springs, GA) A.O.T 17U: I know I’m dating myself, but if comic book hero Flash Gordon (younger generation..google him!) had a daughter it would be Taylor Gordon. The 5-11 dynamic guard definitely has a super heroine b-ball game. Gordon literally makes big play after big play and can take over a game on demand. Gordon is a superb wing / guard. She hustles and appears to be all over the court. Gordon showed that she can hit the spot up 3, create off the dribble for herself, and possesses the ability to finish in paint with a sweet tear drop floater. She even appeared to have x-ray vision dropping no look dimes. The talented senior to be knew exactly when to push the tempo or slow it down. Defensively Gordon is a solid defender and can defend multiple positions. Easily a Top 100 prospect, her stock is definitely on the rise.
Quanetria Bolton (Anniston, Al.) AL Southern Starz 16U: Solid post players that can run floor and have an array of moves are rare and are in huge demand. Quanetria Bolton, a 6-2 post, fits the bill for all of the above and will be a good get come signing day. Bolton played extremely well showing herself to be a low post presence at both ends of the floor. She has a really strong interior game which is a nice blend of athleticism and power. Bolton also showed that she has a nice face up attack with an effective midrange jumper that extends out to the 3pt line. The rebounding is there and with the ability to put the ball on the floor she does a great job initiating the fast break. Bolton is new to the travel circuit and this weekend’s showing definitely created a buzz among several BCS schools.
A’ja Wilson (Hopkins, Sc.) Palmetto SC 76ers: Although there were several top notch players in attendance, the one player that had coaches and fans wooing was 6-6 guard A’ja Wilson. She showed that she can score from anywhere on the floor. Wilson, a lefty, played like a young lady on a mission, grabbing rebounds going coast to coast and finishing with either had at the rim. If the need arises she can work down on the block but still face up and attack or take bigger defenders out to the perimeter and make them pay. Double teams are seldom an issue with her ability to see over and pass out of the trap. Wilson has the knack for taking advantage of whatever the defense gave her. She showed the capacity to effectively defend in the low post blocking shots as well as defend quite well on the perimeter. Simply put Wilson was the star among stars. Wilson’s has an all-around game and drew several comparisons to WNBA All-Star Candice Parker. Wilson should garner attention as the # 1 player in nation regardless of class.
Shakayla Thomas (Sylacauga, Al.) Al Southern Starz 16U: Shakayla Thomas, a 6-1 forward, has a college ready game with a WNBA body and she plays the game with an unbridled aggression. Thomas was constantly on the attack and did so in a variety of ways. She rebounded well and then proceeded to be a one man fast break putting the defense on it’s heels by going coast to coast on several occasions. When she wasn’t pushing the ball up the court Thomas was running the floor like a world class sprinter. In the half court the rising senior was attacking off the dribble, knocking down turnaround jumpers or posting up. She showed that she has a nice midrange jump shot to go along with an effective pull up jumper as well. Thomas used her powerful frame to absorb contact and finish in the paint. Defensively, the ability is there to defend on the perimeter, locking down smaller guards creating havoc all over the floor. As good as Thomas was on the offensive end I was extremely impressed with her defensive prowess in defending the opponents leading scorer but not sacrificing her own offensive game. Thomas’s game is an excellent blend of power and finesse that should earn her consideration among Top 10 in the class.
Christa Reed (Bay St. Louis, Ms.) SME Black 17U: Christa Reed, an athletic 5-11 forward, played a solid all-around game. Reed likes to attack off the dribble with either hand looking to create contact and finish in traffic. She also showed the willingness to manufacturer her shot by attacking off the bounce yet still consistently draining the spot up jumper. Reed used her long arms to rebound well at both ends of the floor and her long athletic frame and quickness helped her play solid defensively. Reed played aggressive at both ends of the court and has a knack for being around the ball. I really like Reed’s game. Unselfish to a fault, she has the ability to take over a game but must do so on a consistent basis. Solid BCS prospect.
2015
Te’a Cooper (Powder Springs, Ga.) AOT Lady Rebels 17U: The last time we saw 5-8 Te’a Cooper was at the Tennessee Turkey Jamm in Nashville. Cooper’s game is continuing to evolve and her performance this weekend at the Deep South Classic confirmed earlier viewings and then some. Cool calm and collected, she fits the definition of a true point guard to a “T”. Because of her on court demeanour, I like to call her “Ice Te’A”. She has all the moves and passes to make her teammates better. She does a great job creating opportunities and feeding the hot hand with a tremendous command of the ball. Cooper was in her normal attack mode breaking down her defender and getting to the rack at will. She loves to push the rock up the floor but she also understands tempo and when to slow it down. Defensively, Cooper is a physical on ball defender that anticipates well and jumps the passing lanes. There’s obvious improvement in her 3pt stroke but it’s still a work in progress. The North Carolina commit will be a welcome addition to a stellar signing class.
Vanessa Pitts (Garner, Nc.) GRBC Elite 15U: Home sweet home. Vanessa Pitts, an athletic 6-3 Raleigh suburb native, performed like she was playing in her own back yard. For her, the Raleigh Convention Center might be the next best thing. Pitts has long arms with an athletic build, ran the floor extremely well and was active at both ends of the floor. She rebounded well, often grabbing the ball at the highest point. Offensively, she needs to work on her low post game but Pitts still finished well in the paint. Defensively, Pitts patrolled the paint blocking shots and altering others. No doubt a solid DI prospect.
2016
Amber Ramirez (San Antonio, Tx.) SA Finest Blue 17U: At 5-7, Amber Ramirez is a feisty and crafty point guard that does all the intangibles that coaches love. She stroked multiple treys and finished well off the break. Ramirez also attacked the rim and either produced in the paint or dropped dimes to her teammates. She also displayed a nice mid-range touch. Defensively, she aggressively defended the opponents point guard forcing them into multiple turnovers. Ramirez likes the physical aspects of the game and uses them to her advantage. Simply put, she finds a way to make plays to help her team win. Ramirez is an all-around player with a knack for making big plays. The USA 16U trials invitee has a tremendous future.
2017
Dekeriya Patterson (Fort Meyers, Fl.) FGB Elite 15U: If it’s true college coaches are always looking for a scorer, then look no further then 5-8 guard Dekeriya Patterson. Patterson can flat out score the rock. She knocked down multiple 3 pointers and added buckets by attacking the paint finishing in traffic. Patterson also showed that she can stroke the midrange shot. She also rebounds well for her position. Patterson made several key baskets in a highly contested game. Patterson is a very strong on ball defender. She anticipates and jumps passing lanes extremely well while pressuring her opponent into several turnovers. There’s a very smooth game in place that will draw the attention of several schools.
Mikayla Boykin (Clinton, Nc.) Team Carolina 15U: While watching 5-9 Mikayla Boykin I struggled to find a female comparison. I even asked a BCS school coach sitting next to me for a female version of NBA All-Star Chris Paul and we both still drew a blank. The young Boykin’s game resembles CP3 like a glove. Boykin is a smooth point guard that played extremely well all weekend. She had her entire repertoire on display. Boykin used a killer crossover coupled with her explosive first step to attack the paint looking to score or dish to her slashing teammates. Boykin used her speed and quickness to get out and finish off the break while weaving in and out of traffic handling the rock equally well with both hands. She also showed that she can consistently stroke the midrange jumper as well as be a threat from beyond the arc. Boykin demonstrated the ability to translate her speed and athleticism into dividends on the defensive end by forcing turnovers and cashing in on the ensuing possession. She’s definitely a point guard on the rise and with continued development has a chance to be special. Keep your eyes on this one.
2018
Bexley Wallace (Pickerington, Oh.) Team Ohio 15U: Normally, I wouldn’t write about a young prospect this early in their career but 6-2 Bexley Wallace drew my attention by playing up 2 years. Wallace banged and battled the older kids and more than held her own. I was impressed with her toughness. She has a solid frame and long arms and didn’t shy away from contact. In fact, she looked for it. Wallace finished well in the paint and rebounded effectively. She defended efficiently in the post as well. Wallace has a nice touch near the rim, as well as a reliable face up game with an effective midrange jumper. She also showed the ability to attack of the bounce. Wallace needs to further develop her low post game, footwork and agility. Her game is still evolving definitely worth watching.
