NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—Not matter how “circus – like” Washington, D.C. seems to be these days politically, it’s still our nation’s capital. And no matter how murky and clouded the water surrounding girls grassroots basketball becomes, the USJN National Championships remains the “capital” of open summer events on the recruiting calendar for both teams and recruiters. When you’ve done something for 32 years and you’re still drawing a sold out line up of teams, top tier talent and a litany of college recruiters…then you’re doing something right.
Set once again at the Gaylord National Resort on the banks of the Potomac River, this year’s event hosted 348 teams from across the country. In all, 27 different states, three provinces in Canada and the Kingdom of Denmark were represented in pool and bracket play that wrapped up Tuesday afternoon. Plenty of bracket winners went home with wins, hardware and bragging rights. The 15 teams whose images you’ll find below came out of their pools as the top seed and captured their respective championships before all was said and done.
Top honors among the heavy hitters went to Boo Williams EYBL team who edged the Kentucky Premier in an EYBL family match up 64 – 59. It should be noted that the Cy Fair Premier National team actually claimed top spot in an absolutely brutal pool featuring Boo Williams, Sports City U, the Indy Gym Rats and two others. Travel plans prohibited them from competing in bracket play providing an avenue for Boo to advance despite actually finishing second in the pool. Kentucky Premier advanced with some impressive and convincing play in both pool and brackets. Their 65 – 47 semifinal win was over the Maine Firecrackers, a team that had earlier defeated Cy Fair Elite EYBL in their own pool opening contest. Boo Williams made their way to the afternoon final with a second half surge and a 66 – 45 semifinal win over the Philadelphia Belles Tuesday morning.
In the final, Boo was out quickly behind Liz Martino but some clutch shooting and an effective move to zone put Premier in control. It was an old fashioned three point play as the first half buzzer sounded that cut their lead to just one, 32 – 31. The Premier came out strong to open the second half extending the lead to nine and forcing Boo to call time out with 12:37 to go in the game. Diamond Johnson’s perimeter shooting and a rash of turnovers by Kentucky ultimately saw things all tied up at 42 following an Aziaha James lay-up. Despite a time out, the turnovers continued for the Premier allowing Boo to grab a 48 – 42 edge. Johnson knocked down a three at the 6:40 mark to take the Boo lead into double digits for the first time at 53 – 42.
The Kentucky premier weren’t going quietly as Nan Garcia continued to attack helping to cut the gap to just six before the fouling parade began at the 1:30 mark. Boo missed a back end and a front end down the stretch but the Premier failed to convert getting no closer than five before ultimately falling 64 – 59. James finished with 19 while Johnson added 11 and Martino contributed three long balls for nine more in the win. Garcia and Maddie Scherr led the way in the loss with 19 apiece while Brooklynn Miles added 10 more from the point.
Of course there’s no way we can remotely see all of the talent on the floors in the Gaylord. However, we did get a look at some talented prospects you can read about below. To see more on the event including brackets, results, pool all stars and more, follow the link below to the USJN website and the post event page for the 32ndAnnual USJN National Championships.
https://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_photos_new.php?which=591
Sydney Bowles – 2022 – 5-11 – Guard – Georgia Pearls – Struggling with consistency…When on, an impact player…Strong and explosive with the ball in her hands…First step seals defenders from recovering…Creates and improves passing angles…Step back creates plenty of separation…Change of speed serves her well…Jumper can be lethal
Sonia Citron – 2021 – 6-0 – Guard – New York Hoopers – USA U16 – Combination of size and skills…Creates and improves off the dribble…Mixes both speed and direction…Hesitation…Range and touch force opponents to close out…Effective in traffic and with contact
Mila Davis – 2023 – 6-0 – Guard – Arizona Bball Science Prep – Continues elite play…Attacking with authority…Mixing things up effectively…Keeping opponents guessing…Perimeter touch keeps defenders honest…Can get to the rim with contact…Physically strong for age…Puts it to use…Aggressive on ball defensively…Could be more efficient on the weakside…Tools to be a force on the boards from the perimeter…Leaves it all on the floor
Jadyn Donovan – 2023 – 5-11 – Wing – Maryland Belles – Dynamic, well established prospect…Athleticism and length set her apart on the perimeter…Active both in the halfcourt and in transition…Gets into the paint off the drive…Can elevate in the crowd…Gets out in the lanes on the break…Has the tools defensively both on the ball and one pass away…Makes eye catching plays for her age
Sania Feagin – 2021 – 6-4 – Post / Forward – Georgia Pearls – Utilizing her physical tools to their max…Setting herself apart with a fullcourt game…Getting out in front of transition defenses…Finishing at the rim…Showing off some instinctual passing…Can improve her own looks or passes off the dribble…Anticipates well on the weakside of the floor defensively…Can change a game
Catherine Finnerty – 2020 – 5-9 – NYC Heat – Ballhandling and passing skills…Penetrates and creates both shots and passes…Speed with the ball will catch defenders off guard…Occasionally careless in traffic…Stroke, range and release serve her well…Productive and efficient
Isis Fitch – 2020 – 6-2 – Post – Illinois Elite – Good size…Physical and solid build…Works for position…Posts hard…Good awareness and aggressive cuts to become an option…Gets out and runs the floor for a big…Handles contact on either end…Plenty of effort
Jada Grannum – 2020 – 6-2 – Post / Forward – Kia Nurse Elite Nike – Body and build…Good strength…Moves well…First step strong for her size…Works hard in the paint…Challenges other bigs…Could be more aggressive at times defensively…Lots of tools
Rori Harmon – 2021 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Cy Fair Premier National – Exceptional performance…Diversity in attack difficult to contain…Mixes speed and direction again and again in single possession…Slight build is deceiving with plenty of physical strength for size…Crossover to pullup is lethal…Sees the floor off the drive…Can deliver the sharp interior pass…Range and touch come with a quick release…Improves options for teammates
Kyndall Hunter – 2021 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Cy Fair Elite EYBL – Well established…Speed and quickness with and without the ball…Pushes from make, miss and turnover…Can turn the corner and get to the rim…Impressive vertical for size…Consistency of choices need to evolve vs pressure…Agility is there to be an impact on ball defender
Aziaha James – 2021 – 5-11 – Guard – Boo Williams EYBL – Guard with size and athleticism…Agile, mobile and active…Works to make herself an option for teammates…Gets out on the break but can take it on her own…Vertical lets her work well near the rim…Length and agility make her a stout defender…Quick hands and feet serve her well
Bria Johnson – 2020 – 5-8 – Guard – United NJ 17 Navy – Had moments…Athletic guard…Speed and quickness are both there…Attacking at times…Active without the ball…Has the tools to create…Crossover is sound…Strong defensive tools…Consistency could help her elevate her impact
Diamond Johnson – 2020 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Boo Williams EYBL – Continues strong play…Dynamic with the ball in her hands…Mixes speed and direction as well as anyone…Hesitation gets defenders out of their stance…Lack of size doesn’t limit her on penetration…Body control is there as bigs rotate her way…Fluid stroke comes with range and touch
Ava Learn – 2021 – 6-1 – Wing – Philadelphia Belles EYBL 16 – Size and length on the wing…Cuts aggressively and with intent…Good depth in her skill set…Hesitation works for her…Good length of stride…Strength will need to evolve
Jada Malone – 2021 – 6-3 – Post – Cy Fair Premier National – Showing new advances in game…Strong and solid in the post…Agility is still there…Understands position and how to get it…Good awareness on the catch…Post moves are in place…Can finish with contact…Gets on the boards…Playing with lots of effort…Her presence is more consistent
Hope Masonius – 2024 – 5-7 – Guard – New Jersey Belles – Highly regarded already…Advanced skills for age…Confident with a good understanding of the game…More assertive on the attack…Acceleration is there off the move…Vision is sharp in transition and in halfcourt scenarios…Touch and range are in place…Can connect on contested looks…Playing with maturity in tight games
Cotie McMahon – 2022 – 5-10 – Small Forward / Wing – Sports City U – Aggressive and attacking…Goes to the rim with the authority of a much more experienced player…Can handle contact at the rim…No reservations going up against bigs…Speed and quickness for size…Efficient ballskills…Essential that her perimeter threat evolve to keep defenders honest…Assertiveness offensively translates to defense
Brooklyn Miles – 2021 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Kentucky Premier – Small stature at the point…Speed and quickness both with and without the ball…Quick handles and moves with the ball facilitate penetration…No reservations going in among the bigs…Capable of acrobatic finishes…Scraps defensively…Can take chances and still recover on occasion…Physical tools and approach offset size
Olivia Miles – 2021 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Philadelphia Belles EYBL – Difficult to ignore…Poster child for instinctual passing…Makes plays on the read and on the fly…Sets the pace of the game…Improves options for those around her…Scoring tools make her a challenging match up…Range is there but shot selection occasionally goes haywire…Active on ball defender but still needs to be more aware on the weakside of the floor
Aaliyah Moore – 2021 – 6-3 – Forward – Cy Fair Elite EYBL – Elite and productive…Constant and diverse attack…Always looking to improve her looks and options…Attacks with authority…Relishes physical play…Can finish with contact…Will need to add depth to countermoves with a bigger target on her back…Relentless effort…Can add multiple facets to different defensive schemes
Gemima Motema – 2021 – 5-9 – Guard – Maine Firecrackers – Athletic guard…Plenty of speed with the ball in her hands…Shot fake is efficient…Change of speed works well for her…Nice touch on the floater…Quickness is there on the defensive end
Mackenzie Nelson – 2023 – 5-7 – Guard – NY Empire – Young guard…Tools are there to slash…Ballskills are sound…Plays with awareness…A little timid at times…Quick on ball defender…Possibilities
Remi Sisselman – 2021 – 6-0 – Long Island Renegades – Solid and strong…Good combination of size and skills…Comfortable with the ball in her hands…Can get to the rim…Surprising first step…Decent form and release…Can develop her own options…Does stand some without the ball
Michaela Stanfield – 2020 – 6-0 – Wing / Guard – New England Crusaders – Size and build on the perimeter…Smooth athlete…Ballskills are there…Crossover is efficient…Pull up has a nice touch…Fluid footspeed on the defensive end
Logan Thayne – 2020 – 6-2 – Post – Hew York Havoc – Albany commit…Size…Solid build…Deceptive agility for size…Textbook approach around the rim…Baby hook is there…Works to get position and hold her ground…Can step out for the 15 footer…Plenty of effort on the boards and defensively
Kylee Watson – 2020 – 6-4 – Post – Philadelphia Belles EYBL – Oregon commit…Aggressive and attacking more than ever…Going to the rim from the high post and mid-range…Good body control for size…Understands how to use her strength effectively…Choices are solid with the ball…Finishing with consistency…Running the floor and making herself a factor on both ends…Rebounding with authority…Impact
Madeline Westbeld – 2020 – 6-2 – Forward – Sports City U – Reaching a new level…Depth to her game is exceptional…Combination of size, strength, refined skills and awareness…Challenges defenders inside and out…Touch and range require closing out on the catch…Physically holding her own with posts carrying much more bulk…Contains her emotions on both good and bad plays…Stays focused when challenged…Confidence only magnifies the advance in her game
Ariana Wiggins – 2021 – 5-8 – Guard – Indy Gym Rats – Athletic and active guard…Utilizes speed and quickness with refined skills…Lefty…First step leaves opponents scrambling…Gets into the paint…Makes plays…Floater is there…Handled contact as bigs rotated her way on penetration
Malea Williams – 2021 – 6-1 – Forward / Wing – Kentucky Premier – Long and lean…Reach extends that length…Not physical but active and agile…Gets out and runs the floor with the guards…Vertical combines with length to make her a presence on the glass…Decent stroke and form…Wingspan and agility make her potentially an impact defender
Ivy Wolf – 2021 – 5-8 – Guard – Dayton Lady Hoopstars – Simply productive…Skilled and smart…Sound athlete who holds her own…Active and aware on both ends of the floor…Much stronger than first impression…Can get to the rim or pull up with consistency…Form and range are there as well…Understated impact player
