HERSHEY, Pa.— For years the USJN Hershey National Showcase has attracted a large line up of teams looking for the chance to get some final tune up games under their belt before the July recruiting period while enjoying the attractions of Hershey, Pennsylvania. Last weekend was no different as 228 teams took part in 14th annual event competing in six separate age groups over four days of competition in front of over 30 recruiters. Programs representing 11 states as well as eight additional teams from Canada were on hand providing all the action on 22 courts including 12 in the Pennsylvania Farm Show Arena.
For complete results, Pool All-Star teams, a full list of participants and college coaches on hand follow the link below for that information and more on the USJN web site.
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=317
Also, the following link will allow you to check out the 2015 USJN Hershey “Sizzle Reel” from last weekend courtesy of HCP productions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxAXvaNFLIk&feature=youtu.be
Stay tuned this winter for additional productions slated for Fox Sports highlighting USJN action across the country.
As always with events of this size, it’s impossible to see everybody and with the NCAA recruiting period just around the corner the older divisions featured some teams that aren’t always center stage. However, there were still many prospects on hand worth noting and the younger divisions were loaded with promising possibilities which Joe Costa profiles later in this article.
The Central Pa Elite claimed overall bragging rights with only one team coming within single digits of them throughout the event. It’s no coincidence considering they enjoy the services of UConn early verbal Kyla Irwin. The 6-1 forward from State College, Pa. has a versatile skill set we’ve been watching evolve over the years and as she enters her senior season appears at the peak of her game. Physically she appears to have filled out and is handling contact more efficiently when she works in traffic around the rim. She’s a solid presence on the boards and demonstrated the ability to take it herself in transition if her outlet options are limited. Irwin has a reliable touch from the perimeter and creates off the drive effectively. The defensive end might limit her options of moving to the three depending on match up possibilities.
The Philadelphia Belles 14’s challenged themselves by playing up in Hershey demonstrating once again they’re a team to keep an eye on. Several players are already well established prospects (See Nia Clouden, Celeste Taylor, Danielle Cosgrove and more) and Diamond Bragg is among them. The 5-7 2018 point guard has a dynamic attacking mentality finding her way to the rim time and again. She has a knack for knifing through helpside defenders and uses solid body control to get clean looks at the rim. Bragg’s ballhandling and passing are sharp and allow her to develop opportunities for her teammates as well as her own. A Camp Hill, Pa. native, she’s a strong on ball defender and plays with the same aggressive approach she does with the ball in her hands. Big summer in front of her and her teammates.
Team Pa made their way to the finals before running into Irwin and friends along with a 43 point deficit. Along the way however, the solid executing team played some good basketball and were led by 2016 Courtney Dimoff. The 5-10 wing has a well-schooled skill set as well as some sharp instincts for the game. She’s a confident shooter with both the form and range to extend defenders while necessitating close outs on the catch. Dimoff, from Red Lion, Pa., also can improve the options of her teammates with some good court vision and efficient passing. Her build is solid and she’s willing to take a hit inside or mix it up on the boards. There’s plenty of effort on defense and that end of the floor may well ultimately determine what level she can take her game to down the road based on her ability to contain more athletic opponents.
The Philadelphia Belles claimed the 14U division with their talented 13 year old team led by energetic Lauren Park Lane of Wilmington, Delaware. Her ability to push the ball and make plays at speed is impressive for a 2019 class member. Whether in the halfcourt or transition, the slightly built 5-4 point guard is on the attack and looking to penetrate seams and break down defenders. On the break she sees the floor and handles numbers situations like a more experienced veteran. Lots of tools are in place and with four more years to mature and evolve, the sky is the limit.
The Riverbank Gazelles won their pool but came up one point short in their first 15U bracket game Monday. Playing with a roster of diverse ages, plenty of standout play came from youthful 2019 guard Precious Cowen. Athletic and attacking, the 5-6 NYC ballhandler is comfortable creating her own looks. Her individual skills allow her to set up defenders and navigate traffic consistently. Even without the ball she gets out in transition and keeps defenders on their heels from makes, misses and turnovers. Her jumper is off her shoulder to a degree at this point and will need to evolve to keep the opposition honest on their close outs. Lots of potential in place.
QUICKHITTERS
Keiana Brooks – 2016 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Team Assist – Small but quick…Creates…Pushes the pace…Distributes the ball on the break
Danielle Cosgrove – 2018 – 6-4 – Post – Philadelphia Belles – Size and frame…Jump hook is there…Drop step covers ground…Some interior passing…15 footer
Emily Engstler – 2018 – 6-0 – Forward – New York Belles – Textbook…Solid build…Nice frame…Aggressive
Jenay Falkner – 2017 – 5-11 – Forward – Central Pa. Elite – Strong and aggressive…Runs the floor…Gets on the boards…Some ballhandling
Angelique Hawkins – 2018 – 5-7 – Point Guard – York Thunder – Decent build…Younger point guard…Smart reads…Solid skills
Julie Hoover – 2017 – 5-9 – Guard – Philadelphia Belles – Ballhandling…Hesitation is there…Sees the floor…Passing skills…Needs strength
Carole Miller – 2019 – 5-11 – Wing – Matrix – Athletic…Slashes some…Moments…Depth of skills?
Zariah Mohamed – 2016 – 6-2 – Post – Riverbank Gazelles – Bigger frame…Strong…Can finish down low…Needs additional options
Jaynelle Robinson – 2017 – 6-1 – Post – Nexxt Level D-I – Solid…Aggressive…Rushes…A ways to go but potential is there
Alyssa Schiver – 2018 – 5-2 – Point Guard – Urban Lights – Tiny but scrappy…Quick…Plenty of speed with the ball…Floater
Kiyanna Thomas – 2016 – 6-3 – Post – DM Panthers – Size and length…Wingspan…Rough edges but has moments…Needs to be more physical
Olivia Tucker – 2019 – 5-7 – Guard – Philadelphia Belles – Active and aggressive…Can put it on the floor…Blue collar effort at both ends…Form on shot…Makes plays
Morgan Anderson – 2018 – 6-0 – Forward – Maryland Lady Tigers – Runs the floor…Vertical…Attacks the rim…Short range jumper
Janaysia Brown – 2020 – 6-0 – Forward – New Heights – Athletic…First step…Evolving guard skills
Jordyn Callahan – 2018 – 5-7 – Guard – Vogues – Slasher…Good technique in her offensive game…Range on her jump shot
Karli Cauley – 2019 – 5-2 – Guard – Diamond State Lady Titans – Good ball skills…Sees the floor…Passing
Brianna Crutchfield – 2018 – 5-11 – Guard / Forward – Fredrick’s Finest – Athletic…First step…Touch around the rim…Needs to finish
Sophia Davis – 2022 – 5-7 – Forward – New Jersey Sparks – Big, strong and agile…Solid inside…Will hit the floor
Samantha Dewey – 2021 – 5-8 – Forward – United Conquerors – Solid…Baseline player…Makes plays by the rim
Phinnette Edwards – 2020 – 5-3 – Brooklyn Stars – Quick…Gets to rim…Looks to score on the catch…A factor on the break
Brynn Farrell – 2020 – 5-9 – Forward – Team Miller Lightning – Athletic…Versatile scorer…Wants the ball…Plays hard
Elizabeth Flanagan – 2021 – 5-6 – Forward – NYC Lady Bulldogs – Skilled…Knows how to score…Plays hard at both ends…Reads passing lanes
Erin Fouracre – 2018 – 5-8 – Guard – Blue Star UNY Capitals – Plays all out…Slasher…Very physical…Wants the ball…Gets to the basket…Can score
Sarah Karpell – 2019 – 5-6 – Guard – Jersey Shore Elite – Shooter…Range…Smart…Navigates the floor
Maggie Kirby – 2018 – 5-8 – Guard – Blue Star UNY Capitals – Good ball handler…Footwork…Has range
Rachel Krug – 2019 – 5-6 – Guard – Maryland Sting – Scorers mentality…Good range…Long ball
Alexis Kuhlman – 2021 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Germantown Lady Panthers – Good ball skills…Strong decisions…Rebounds and runs
Kristin Lucas – 2021 – 5-8 – Forward – Germantown Lady Panthers – Athletic…Strong…Passes well from the post…Creates around the rim
Natalija Marshall – 2020 – 6-3 – Forward – Brooklyn Stars – Good footwork for age…Keeps hands high…Runs the floor…Physical when needed
Jessica Mastriano – 2022 – 5-4 – Guard – NJ United – Can score inside…Solid skills…Moves well…Will put it up
Katerra Meyers – 2019 – 5-8 – Guard – Maryland Sting – Anticipates…Goes hard to the rim…Handles contact inside
Ariel Rafferty – 2018 – 5-11 – Forward – Metro USA – Long and lean…Athletic…Quick…Anticipates
Keona Schenck – 2020 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Team Miller Lightning – Makes things happen on Defense…Converts turnovers…Capable scorer
Naomi Shorts – 2019 – 5-7 – Guard – Philadelphia Belles – First step…Ballhandling…Smart…Good decisions…Attacks…Strong defender…Quick hands
Elle Stauffer – 2020 – 5-9 – Guard – Philadelphia Belles – Smooth…Smart…Slasher…Has mid-range
Bella Steidle – 2020 – 5-8 – Guard – Philadelphia Belles – Mentally tough…Wants the ball…Good handles…Can score
Carly Stromel – 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – Philadelphia Belles – Becoming more aggressive…Can Leap…Strong on the boards…Good outlet…Confidence and touch are coming
Sophia Vital – 2021 – 5-0 – Point Guard – United Conquerors – Attacks…Scores with contact…Quick hands on defense
Alexis Weger – 2018 – 6-1 – Forward – Vogues – Bigger and stronger than last summer…Great touch at the hoop…Good passer…Knows when and how to cut to the basket
Bonus
The Cedar Park Wolves are a 12 year old team from Austin, Texas that competes regardless of their opponent. Besides challenging opponents, the team is on a secondary mission this summer (and future summers to come) in their travel team career. Their goal is to play at least one team from all 50 states and any country that participates in events they play. They’ve started an ever growing list of states to add to their resume. Six are already checked off early in their first summer. They approached event operators with a request to play an extra game with a team from Canada or Delaware, two teams not yet on their list. USJN was able to arrange an extra contest with the DE Diamond State Lady Titans. The Lady Titans won the game and were paced by Kendra Warren (5’8 – F – 2019). She’s strong around the hoop, handles the ball and can score. Additionally the Lady Titans have a smooth point guard in Karli Cauley (See above). The Wolves are led by Nicole Leff (5’10 – F – 2020), a left hander with good ball control and an understanding of where the hoop is. Hannah Wheeler (5’4 – PG – 2020) runs the show for the Wolves. She has good ball skills and is strong from baseline to top of the key. Some decision making work is needed but she does carry a large load of the ball handling duties.
USJN will look to accommodate their Canadian request when they travel back this way to play in the USJN National Championships in Washington, D.C. late in July.
Joe Costa has been with Blue Star for 15 years serving as a National Evaluator and Director of the Rising Blue Star program. Coaching the Pittsburgh Rockers for over 10 years; he helped produce two national championships and over 75 scholarship student athletes. Additionally Costa has coached both girls and boys on the high school & collegiate levels plus served as a floor coach for several Nike All American Camps and Skills Academies.
