MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama is host to several holiday tournaments, most of which are a combination of boys and girls teams. The BallN Powher Prep Invitational, sponsored by SchollyMe, in its second year has established itself as one of the premiere all girls events in the nation featuring 30 teams of which several top ranked teams from Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi participate. Faulkner University provided the perfect venue and atmosphere for the players, coaches and fans, The following players caught my eye with noteworthy performances.
If you’re looking for an athletic all-around player that plays the game the way it is supposed to be played, then 6-2 sophomore Kaitlyn Rogers, Wenonah High School out of Birmingham, Ala is your prospect. She showed a great deal of toughness playing with a heavily wrapped finger that requires surgery but Rogers refused to have it and is willing to play through the pain. She has a solid body with long arms that take up space in the lane and was the opposing coach worst nightmare at the back of Wenonah’s full court press with numerous steals. Rogers plays a very aggressive game at both ends of the court. She has a nice low-post game and finishes well in the paint or gets to the line where she is a good free-throw shooter. Rogers also showed that she has a smooth face-up game and is not afraid to put the ball on the floor. She used her long arms and good leaping ability to dominant the boards and push the ball up the floor. Defensively, Rogers defended the low post and perimeter extremely well with a fearless, reckless abandon, blocking several shots. Rogers has a tremendous upside a high major caliber prospect.
Florida State signee Shakayla Thomas, the reigning Alabama 5A Player of the Year from Sylacauga High School in Sylacauga, Ala. Thomas, the explosive athletic 6-1 wing showed the ability to play on the perimeter as well as in the low post. In the low post she used a very nice up-and-under move to effectively score. Thomas likes to face up and attack off the dribble, finishing at the basket or stroking the short pull-up jumper. On the perimeter, she can knock down the mid-range or 3-point shot. She loves to get out and finish off the break and used her excellent body control to adjust in mid-air to get her shot off against taller defenders. She has a series of spin and hesitation moves that create space to finish at the rack. Thomas rebounds extremely well and can defend on the perimeter or post quite effectively. Thomas can score in bunches. She scored 29 points through three quarters versus #4 rank Valley HS finishing with 38 points.and 18 rebounds. Thomas has a mature game with a WNBA body and will be a welcomed addition to Coach Sue Semrau Noles squad.
Shades Valley (Alabama), sophomore 5-7 Kaihla Carter is an extremely athletic guard with the ability to play multiple positions. Carter played with a motor that wouldn’t quit, wasn’t afraid to dive for loose balls and she ran the floor like a gazelle. Carter was really smooth handling the rock in transition with a nice change-of-direction dribble. She did a great job pushing the temp attacking off the bounce and living in the paint scoring on drawing fouls. Carter was just as comfortable on the wing; she used her ball handling skills and nice spin move to score in the paint. Carter has a college ready frame which she used to rebound really well, grabbing the ball from its highest point. Defensively, Carter creates havoc for opposing players by jumping the passing lanes and either finishing off the break or created for her teammates. She is an excellent on-ball defender and showed the ability to defend multiple positions. Carter has a chance to be a special player. Definitely one to watch.
As evaluators we are always interested in seeing how prospects handle adversity and Jeff Davis’ (Alabama) 6-3 sophomore Jasmine Walker showed me a great deal. Walker who has all the tools to successful at the next level struggled through the first half versus a talented #1 St. Francis squad. Walker redeemed herself by grabbing rebounds and scoring several timely baskets to help her team. She is very confident in her ball control as well as makes good decisions. Walker can score inside and out with a sweet stroke that extends beyond the 3 point arc. Walker has a nice array of post moves. She rebounds and runs the floor quite well. She has a college body that she uses to her advantage at both ends. Defensively, Walker protects the paint extremely well. She also showed the ability to defend smaller players on the perimeter. With continued development she needs to find a healthy balance with playing in the post and on the perimeter. Walker has the potential to be a Top 25 prospect.
The 5-3 playmaker Mississippi State signee Morgan Willam from 6A #2 Shades Valley (Alabama) performed extremely well throughout the Invitational. William loves to attack the rim; she finishes extremely well with an array of acrobatic move or drops the ball off to slashing teammates. She keeps defenders honest with her outside shot that extends out beyond the three point arc. William, a very good leaper for her size, has the ability to hang in the air to draw the contact and finish at the basket. She used her speed and quickness to consistently beat her opponent for the bucket. William played a solid game defensively, using her 5-9 wing span, jumping the passing lanes and forcing her opponent into several turnovers. Expect William to fit in nicely with that Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs.
I always enjoy watching good guard play and St. Francis (Georgia) freshman Taja Cumming was indeed a joy to watch. Cummings has a college-ready body and the competitive fire to go along with her versatile game. From tipoff to the final horn Cummings was constantly on the attack. Offensively she used her ball handling skills to create space and attack off the bounce finishing in the paint. Cummings stroked several mid-range jumpers as well. Defensively, Cummings showed that she can be a lock down defender. She did a great job communicating at both ends of the court. Cummings has a big time game with major DI talent.
Kentucky signee 6-3 Alexis Jennings helped Alabama 6A #1 ranked Sparkman Lady Senators take home the BallN Powher Prep Invitational crown as well as the MVP by scoring a 77 points over the 3 days. Jennings scored 24 points and pulled down 15 rebounds versus #1 St. Francis from Alpharetta, Geo. She had stellar performances in all three games. Jennings was putting in work dominating offensively inside and out using a nice array of low post moves finishing with either hand with contact. She showed a great deal of toughness battling at both ends of the floor. I am looking forward to following Jennings career at the University of Kentucky.
Robert E. Lee (Alabama) junior Areleatha Gipson, the 5-6 cat-quick, ultra speedy guard played a stellar all-around game. Gipson 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 as well as consistently draining the spot up jumper and three pointers. Gipson did a great job of pushing the ball up the floor on made and missed baskets. When the other team made a run to cut into the Lady Generals lead, Gipson calmly drained several big buckets and converted back-to-back steals into points, putting the game out of reach. Gipson played aggressive at both end of the court and has a knack for being around the ball. She dropped several timely dimes in crunch time as well. She rebounds well for her position. Gipson has all the tools to be a big time point guard. Gipson has mid to high major potential written all over her game.
St.Francis (Georgia) 5-6 freshman combo guard Nichel Tampa is feisty and crafty. Tampa stroked multiple treys. She finished well off the break; attacked the rim; and either finished or dropped dimes to her teammates. Tampa also displayed a nice mid-range touch. She had a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Defensively, she played aggressive on-ball defense and made a living off of pressuring her opponent and creating turnovers. Tampa is a complete player fundamentally sound clutch performer made several big plays. Fun to watch! Major DI prospect.
Everyone loves a good fight. We had the pleasure of watching a great matchup #1 Sparkman (6A Alabama) with Kentucky signee 6-3 Alexis Jennings versus #1 St. Francis (Georgia Class A) featuring 6-3 freshman Kasiyahna Kushkituah. The 6-3 Kushkituah has a long athletic build, long arms nice wing span. She defended the post like a lioness protecting her cubs. The 2017 prospect was blocking shots and battling for every rebound. Additionally, she ran the floor well, and showed ability to finish in paint with either hand. Kushkituah, despite early foul trouble, did an excellent job battling in the paint against Jennings and demonstrating that she deserves to be considered amongst the best in a talent laden 2017 class. With added strength and continued development Kushkituah will be one of the most sought after players in her class.
We are always on the lookout for sleeper prospects and Jeff Davis’ (Alabama) 6-1 sophomore Kayla Jackson fits the bill. She has the chance to be just what everybody seems to be looking for. Jackson has a long athletic body. She rebounds the ball at highest point, runs the floor, finishes well in the paint and can defend multiple positions. Jackson has a nice midrange shot plus a low post and face up game. She has an excellent motor with the potential to be a dominate force at both ends. Jackson left the BallN Powher Prep Invitational with several mid major offers. Expect more to come.
It’s always good to watch good guard play and Robert E. Lee (Alabama) combo guard sophomore Tykeria Williams caught our attention. At 5-6 she’s athletic and does a great job attacking and creating off the bounce. Williams finishes at the rim and has a nice midrange jumper but is a sniper from beyond the arc. She shot lights out this past weekend draining 12 of 18 3pt field goal attempts. Williams did a great job navigating through full court pressure and involves her teammates. Being a solid on ball defender makes it all worth watching. She plays with a quiet confidence and with continued development has a chance to be a mid to high major recruit.
Unique Thompson the 6-2 freshman post who plays for Faith Academy (Alabama) has an athletic build with long arms. She has a strong presence in the paint at both ends of the court. Thompson is a smart enough low post defender with the ability to block shots but doesn’t pick up silly fouls, a trait that plagues a lot of young post. Thompson is very athletic with good hops and runs the floor well. She boxes out and hits the boards at both ends. Thompson the offensive end is an effective low post scorer in the paint and is not afraid to knock down the short jumper. She needs to further develop her low post and face up game and continue to gain strength. Thompson is a work in progress with a good foundation. She has tremendous upside. Thompson has a chance to be a mid to high prospect.
