FRANKLIN, Tenn.—For the past 10 years the ‘Battle in the Boro has been an evolving work in progress for tournament director Tom Insell and his staff. Consistent growth, a change in venue due to NCAA legislation and now another venue transition to address the current size of the event as well as convenience for participants, fans and college coaches have all helped established this July swing through the Volunteer State as a productive and smart decision.
This time around 472 teams competed for bragging rights in 10 different brackets. Making the job easier for the coaches in search of the next great addition for their roster was the 30 court “one stop shopping” of the Music City Center. Competition continued one day beyond the Saturday end of NCAA Division I period which, according to Insell, saw over 1,100 different recruiters wandering the sidelines of the 43 total courts in use.
When all was said and done top honors in the Gold Championship Bracket of the Junior Showcase were going home with the Boise Hoop Dreams by way of their 65 – 35 win over New Heights. Easily one of the highlights of the entire event was the dynamic play of point guard and tournament MVP Destiny Solcum. Both creative and productive, the 5-7 rising junior is simply fun to watch…unless you happen to be the opposition. She has a quick release and the range that commands a tight closeout. Her ballhandling and instinct for finding teammates off penetration brings to mind a game that might be considered “Schimmel-esque”. Her 18 point first half output helped establish a 41 – 19 gap at the break that New Heights had no answer for the rest of the way ultimately leading to the final 30 point margin. Throughout the tournament fellow 2016 Dominique Williams was also able to make her presence felt on the way to the title. The 6-0 forward can create off the dribble and has an uncanny knack with a jump hook around the rim. New Heights got a strong performance from a forward of their own with the play of 6-2 Kiah Gillespie. A member of the 2015 class, Gillespie was able to score effectively both from the perimeter and in the paint. Point guard Mei-Lyn Bautista created opportunities for teammates with her passing and backcourt mate Juliette Lawless came alive in the second period chipping in her entire 11 point output for the game.
The Gold Bracket of the Sophomore Showcase pitted the Boo Williams Richmond 2016 squad against a talented Toledo Thunder team that has three Big Ten commitments on the roster. BWSL jumped out to a 10 – 1 lead and maintained a double figure lead throughout. Though they ultimately claimed a 56 – 42 win, they had to hold off multiple runs from the Thunder including a foul fest down the stretch that saw the lead whittled to only 10 with just under a minute remaining. Evolving post player Janeen Camp led the way with some effective work on the block on way to 12 points. Diminutive but attacking point guard Nyra Williams added 11 more to go with 5-6 backcourt mate Stephanie Seaman’s 10. Power post / forward and sophomore MVP Tyra Whitehead didn’t have her best game in the final but was a force throughout earlier contests. Standing 6-2 with a thicker but solid build, Whitehead is a challenging match up for any defender. She’s active on both ends and can be assertive with the ball in her hands. The entire BWSL roster is from the 2016 class. The Thunder had the misfortune of having arguably their weakest output in the championship game. Only one player hit double figures in the loss with 6-2 forward Tanaya Beachum posting 11. Michigan commits forward Akienreh Johnsonand point guard Bre Hampton Bey struggled to find the range they had earlier in the competition. Purdue 2017 verbal commit Dani Lawson had moments but was unable make a dent as well
Sunday saw eight other division winners crowned. The Silver Bracket of the Junior Showcase went to the Mac Irvin Fire Godfather team led by high profile 2016 forward Tori McCoy. Their honors came by way of a 69 – 52 championship win over the AD Elite out of Texas with WNBA legend Tina Thompson assisting on the bench. The Showtime Junior Division went to Blue Star St. Louis with UConn commit Napheesa Collier as they took down Essence Black 64 – 48. Sky Diggs grabbed the Premier Junior Division in impressive fashion with a 50 – 38 win over the Tri-State Elite from the Memphis area. The Primetime Junior crown went to Team Ohio as they outmatched the Tennessee Glory in a 64 – 26 in a final round win.
The Elite Eighth Grade Division had a one pointer for all the marbles as the West Virginia Thunder edged the Tennessee Fury 61 – 60. The gap in the Fabulous Freshmen was just two with the CSS Bison getting by North Tartan 52 – 50. The Sophomore Silver Showcase went to the Arkansas Mavericks by way of a 47 – 27 win over Cy Fair. The Showtime Sophomore title was claimed by Tennessee based Lady Zoom 62 – 32 over Xpress Hoops from Michigan.
For complete brackets, follow the link below to the National Exposure Basketball web site.
2014 Battle in the Boro All – Star Teams as Selected by the Tournament Committee
Sophomore Showcase All-Tournament Team
Most Valuable Player – Destiny Slocum – 5-6 – 2016 – Hoop Dreams Black
Chassity Carter – 5-11 – 2016 – Tennessee Team Springer
Kiah Gillespie – 6-2 – 2015 – New Heights
Anriel Howard – 5-11 – 2015 – Douglasville Lady Tigers
LaTashia Jones – 6-0 – 2015 – MOKAN
Mone Jones – 6-3 – 2015 – Carolina All-Stars
Kiara Lewis – 5-8 – 2016 – Mac Irvin Fire Godfather
Tori McCoy – 6-4 – 2016 – Mac Irvin Fire Godfather
Kian McNair – 5-6 – 2015 – CAL Ballaz
Tori Williams – 5-8 – 2017 – Hoop Dreams Black
Kelly Wurth – 5-9 – 2016 – Dayton Lady Hoopstars Elite
Sophomore Showcase All-Tournament Team
Most Valuable Player – Tyra Whitehead – 6-2 – 2016 – BWSL Richmond 2016
Kaila Ballard – 5-9 – 2016 – BWSL 15U
Kyra Collier – 5-9 – 2016 – Arkansas Mavericks
Mikiyah Croskey – 6-3 – 2016 – Fairfax Stars
Anastasia Hayes – 5-7 – 2017 – TN Flight Silver Sophomores
Nia Hollie – 5-11 – 2016 – Minnesota Stars
Akienreh Johnson – 6-0 – 2016 Toledo Thunder
Ashley Jones – 5-7 – 2017 – Philly Triple Threat 16U
Kayla Owens – 6-1 – 2017 Cy-Fair Shock 15U
Ashley Owusu – 5-10 – 2019 – PSPA RAMS
Stephanie Seaman – 5-7 – 2017 – BWSL Richmond 2016
