By Fran Burbidge

WILMINGTON, DE–The 27th annual Diamond State Classic was held Dec 27 – 30 at St Elizabeth in Wilmington, Delaware. The event, benefitting local charities, consisted of 20 teams representing seven states divided into four separate divisions.

To see complete brackets and results follow the link below.

http://www.diamondstateclassic.org/2017-recap/

Ultimately, Pickerington Central (Ohio) won the top bracket over highly regarded Mater Dei (Calif.) despite bring doubled up at halftime 30-15. Pickerington also showed the same grit and resiliency in their first round match-up with St Rose (N.J.) by overcoming a 10 point deficit with under three minutes remaining in the game to advance with a 48-45 win.

The following are quickhitter views of just a few of the players who stood out in the 2017 Diamond State classic.

Rose Caverly – 2018 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Red Bank Catholic – Heady and active pointy guard…Good handle…Can finish through contact…Vermont commit

Brooke Demetre – 2021 – 6-3 – Forward – Mater Dei – Highly regarded rising Star with an unlimited future…Has to be in the conversation of best in 2021 class…For her youth plays both ends of court with great anticipation…Runs floor well…No limit to her range…Finishes with either hand…Makes plays in transition or off penetration

Lauren Dorsey – 2021 – 5-9 – Guard – Ursuline – Makes herself a presence on both ends…Anticipates and defends…Range is there as evidenced by hitting a three at the buzzer to seal a win…Nice athleticism…Active without the ball

Maddison Greene – 2019 – 5-8 – Point Guard – Pickerington Central – Well known prospect…Led her team to top bracket championship…Claimed tournament MVP honors…Athletically tough and strong…Attacks rim and finishes…Nice lift and release on her mid range jumper…Aggressive defender…Promising future

Allie Kubeck – 2020 – 6-0 – Forward – Sanford – Solid athleticism …Finishes with both hands around the rim…Adding three pointer to an already effective mid range game …Runs the floor well…Assertive rebounder and defender

Mikayla Markham – 2018 – 5-7 – Point Guard – St Rose – Ball handling and passing are solid…Effective and has a toughness to go along with it…Doesn’t shy away from good competition…Explosive at times… Columbia commit

Lauren Park Lane – 2019 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Sanford – Lean and explosive…Handle allows her to get in lane…Floater and three point shot are there…Quick feet and hands along with a toughness makes her a better than average defender

Khylee Pepe – 2021 – 6-0 – Forward – Mater Dei – Strong build…Athletic…Skilled…Nice handle…Able to score at the rim or shoot it off the bounce…Plays with strength making herself a presence on both ends of the floor

Katie Rice – 2018 – 5-10 – Red Bank Catholic – Lefty with a nice mid range game…Good basketball IQ who finishes well…Competes…As her strength and consistency from beyond the arc improve she will be a tough defend at next level…Lehigh commit

Nicole Stephens – 2020 – 5-7 – Guard – Pickerington Central – Solid contributor on a talented team…Three point shot is there…Active without the ball…Good basketball instincts…Runs the floor well…Nice handle…Looks to defend

Olivia Tucker – 2019 – 5-8 – Guard – Sanford – Effective three point shooter…Range allows her team to expand defense…Is developing a mid range game off the bounce…Solid build who plays with strength…Good instincts