MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.—While a lot of the travel teams go their separate ways in June to give the high school coaches equal time and keep the peace, 246 club programs found their way up to Minnesota this past weekend for the eighth annual Summer Jam. The event, hosted by North Tartan, saw a 66 team increase over last year’s turnout and hosted players representing 10 different states. Competition was split among 16 divisions and played at three separate venues utilizing 24 courts.
The 16 team Lake Minnetonka Division featured the high profile elite teams including three from the Nike EYBL lineup. Unfortunately for the Swoosh, the ultimate bragging rights were claimed by the Minnesota Fury who got by Megan Walker and her Boo Williams teammates in Sunday’s championship game by a narrow 47 – 42 margin. The Fury made their way to the final by way of a convincing win over a struggling All Iowa Attack team Saturday night while Boo Williams went to the wire in their semi with North Tartan before coming out on top by three. The all 2016 Fury roster features four Division – I commitments including Taylor Koenen (North Carolina) and Jamie Ruden (Arizona State). While high profile 2017 wing Megan Walker was in action for Boo Williams they were without the services of point guard and Stanford commit Anna Wilson who was busy back home with the ACT Saturday.
For complete tournament brackets and results for the 2015 Summer Jam, follow the link below.
Here are just a few of the players that offered up some promising play over the weekend.
The Minnesota Fury claimed the top honors and 2016 6-1 forward Jamie Ruden had a big hand in their success. Physically strong and active, Ruden has an impressive understanding of the game. She reads well on the catch both on the block and from the high post capitalizing by way of scoring and passing. She’s effective in traffic and handles contact around the rim but can connect from the perimeter with nice form on her jumper. Away from the ball Ruden is a factor both in screening for teammates or aggressive cuts of her own to the ball. She’s got good footspeed for her size and is a focused defender. Her efforts on the boards would keep any coach happy.
Ruden’s Fury teammate Taylor Koenen has been on the radar for quite some time now. The 6-1 wing has a diverse skill set and the ability to be a factor in multiple ways. While not her best weekend, she still demonstrated a game that is going to serve her well at the next level. With plenty of length and ball skills, the 2016 Koenen presents a challenge for any defender. She can create off the dribble but possesses great vision and the willingness to give it up to a teammate with a better opportunity. Without the ball she’s active and moves with a purpose. The form is there on her jumper but she needs time and isn’t as consistent when rushing to get it off. Dealing with quickness of the ACC perimeter will be the biggest challenge facing the future Tar Heel.
Even when she’s not playing her best basketball Megan Walker still offers up some eye catching play. The dynamic 6-1 wing / forward created plenty of opportunities throughout the weekend but found her shooting percentage covered with frost. Walker is the kind of player that can miss five in a row and you’ll still call her number the next time down the floor. Her first step and acceleration is a challenge for any defender and allows her to create a lane to the rim or plenty of separation for her jumper. This year’s Boo Williams roster is lacking a big presence on the interior forcing her to be a factor on the boards as well. Defensively she takes chances at times but has the ability to recover and make an impact.
Point guard and Iowa State commit Rae Johnson had some moments for North Tartan. Her ability to shoot the ball forces defenders to play her honestly which in turn helps her set up options for her teammates. She creates off the dribble and plays with sharp instincts for what is evolving in front of her. The 2017 Johnson is efficient on the break but equally adept in the halfcourt. She’s at her best with the ball in her hands but could be more active when she’s on the weakside of the floor. There’s plenty of effort there defensively and she plays with good anticipation in her helpside rotations. On ball she’ll need to give the ultra-quicks more of cushion to stay in front.
The Warriors Elite struggled over the course of the event claiming just one win in four games. While coming up short they did get some strong play from established 2016 point guard Andrayah Adams. At 5-8 she’s powerfully built and has an explosive first step. Off the dribble she calls on her change of speed / direction with confidence and usually finds options before the bigs rotate her way. Adams has a quick release on her jumper and there’s zero hesitation about pulling the trigger. She also puts to use a step back that leads to a fall away and uncontested shots. In the end she’s going to have to make her teammates more of an option to create more opportunities for herself in the bigger picture.
The CSS Isherwood team might be seen as the club’s number two team but they got some top shelf play from 2016 forward Skyler Snider. At 6-1, she’s versatile, physical and makes herself a factor on both ends of the floor. Offensively she can create off the dribble but has a sound jumper to call upon with a nice touch. Her mentality is an attacking approach that keeps opponents honest and on their toes. Snider is aggressive defensively as well and is going to get on the floor for any loose ball that comes her way. You would rather play with her than against her.
The 43 Hoops team claimed the Lake of the Woods Division title by way of a double overtime win over North Tartan. While competing in a younger division, they still got some strong play from several members. Wing Christianna Carr is smooth, fluid and athletic. The ability is there to develop her own looks by putting the ball on the floor but her shot is text book with the range to keep defenders closing out. Carr has a step back that gets her plenty of separation but keeps her dribble to attack on any overreaction. Plenty of tools are in place that should allow her to play at any level she chooses. The biggest concern at this point would be her willingness to play a physical game.
The All Iowa Attack struggled from start to finish. The ability to score did not seem to make the trip and they weren’t playing as efficiently as they did back in April during the EYBL first round. Power forward Amanda Ollinger continues to make plays but she found the lid on more often than not. The 6-1 senior to be plays with an assertive mentality and works well at the rim or from the high post. She has finished well in the past and reads defenders both posting up and off the drive. Ollinger is physical on the boards and gets the ball out quick to trigger the break. Despite her struggles the effort was there throughout.
QUICKHITTERS
Carmen Backes – 2018 – 5-11 – Wing / Forward – North Tartan – Played “up”…Nice skills…Active…Can put it on the floor…Handled contact well…Lots of promise
Chloe Dworak – 2018 – 5-5 – Point Guard – CSS Bison – Skilled point guard…Good ballhandling and passing…Sees the floor with good awareness…Effectively uses change of speed…Can spot up…Size could be question mark
Bailey Helgren – 2017 – 6-5 – Post – Metro Stars – Lots of size with a college frame…Strength is there…Runs the floor…Methodical with the ball at this point…Has flashes…Needs more consistency
Jinaya Houston – 2017 – 6-0 – Wing – All Iowa Attack – Evolving wing…Athletic…Has the potential to grow…Shot fake combines with strong first step…Has the length to be a strong defender
Dalijah Jefferson – 2017 – 6-2 – Forward – Boo Williams – Wiry forward…Developing…Lots of reach to go with a good vertical…Can put it on the floor some…Low release on her perimeter shot
Liv Korngable – 2017 – 5-9 – Guard – Minnesota Fury – Full court player…Runs the floor…Active with and without the ball…Spot up shooter…Instinctual
Ayoka Lee – 2018 – 6-5 – Post – Minnesota Nice – Size and build…Keeps the ball high…Muscles it up at times…Labors up and down the floor at points…Young…Needs refinement
Erin Navratil – 2017 – 6-0 – Wing / Forward – North Tartan – Gets out and runs the floor…Cuts hard…Text book skills…Low release on the perimeter shot
Chyna Nixon – 2017 – 5-9 – Guard – Boo Williams –Active and athletic guard…Playing with more and more confidence…Getting to the rim…Choices need to improve…Making plays on both ends
Abi Scheid – 2016 – 6-3 – Post – North Tartan – Physical presence…Posts hard…Holds her ground…Inverts on reversal passes…Showed a hook at one point
Sydney Stapleton – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard / Wing – 43 Hoops – Nice size and skills on the perimeter…Aggressive with the ball…Hesitation dribble…Strong skill set…Lots of promise
Megan Walstad – 2018 – 6-1 – Forward – 43 Hoops – Evolving game…Nice first step…15 footer is there…Makes plays…Soft at times
