AUGUSTA, Ga.—Most successful performers on stage and screen will claim “off Broadway” work on their resumes as some of their best work. The “main stage” isn’t the only place you’ll find real talent and the same was true last week in Augusta. Nike Nationals and the inaugural Elite Youth Basketball League may have been the “main stage” for the July evaluation period home stretch but the seventh annual Blue Star Nationals offered up more than enough talent for the critics and crowds to add it as a priority for their recruiting plans. As evidence, almost 400 individual coaches represented more than 200 universities over three days taking in all the action at the Augusta Convention Center. Utilizing a new setting and an impressive four court set up Blue Star Nationals is poised as the ideal parallel event for both travel teams and recruiters alike.
Competition featured 48 teams representing 26 states including eight teams from Nike sponsored programs. Twelve pools led to three separate bracket champions. Kingdom Hoops (Iowa), the Wisconsin Lakers and the Colorado Rockies all finished with wins and took home bragging rights to wrap up their summer tours. For complete results, pool all-stars and other post event information, follow the link below to the USJN web site.
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_photos_new.php?which=267
Here are just a few of the individual standouts on hand in Augusta.
No one player has reinvented herself more over the past four years than 2015 post player Shannon Coffee of the Dayton Lady Hoopstars. On the radar from a young age, the 6-5 Coffee has evolved both physically and from a basketball perspective. She now has the ability to be a factor beyond the block including transition and working from the high post. Her attack is quick on the catch and there is more confidence in her decision making. Her teammates benefit by some sharp passing both on the outlet as well as in the halfcourt. The post is still her bread and butter and the skill set is more and more refined. Continued advancement of her game tells you her best basketball is still emerging and may not be on display until a season or two into her increasingly promising colligate career.
Another 2015 player well known to recruiters and evaluators over the years has been Kyra Lambet of TeamXpress out of Texas. Generally regarded as one of the top point guards in the senior class, Lambert continues to be impressive unless you happen to be sitting on the opposing bench. The speed and quickness has always been there and the individual skill set allows her to create both shots and passes at will. What has really developed is her decision making and choices both on the break and in set scenarios run in the halfcourt. Oh, there’s still a time or two she’ll take on the world by herself, but on the whole she’s become much more adept at making the players around her better. Lambert is strong and creative in traffic plus can rely on the pull up if the bigs rotate her way and take away options. Her on ball defense has the potential to make an impact if she’ll make it a factor on a more consistent basis.
Even with a verbal to the University of Maryland, Jenna Staiti is still not exactly a household name in recruiting circles. The 2016 post prospect demonstrated why the folks up in College Park are feeling pretty good about her commitment to the Terps. At a legitimate 6-5, she’s got a solid frame, extended reach and the ability to mix things up physically. Staiti posts up aggressively and keeps her seal flashing with a long step across the paint as the ball is reversed. On the catch her reads are quick and well-honed indicating some strong coaching somewhere along the line. She kept the ball high and finished efficiently from 10 feet and in. She runs the floor surprisingly well but did show signs of fatigue at times. The body is there to be a strong defender as well as a presence on the boards over the next two years as well as at the next level.
A real commodity these days is finding that wing with size that has the ability to connect from the perimeter and force defenses to extend themselves. Blue Star Oklahoma has that luxury with 6-2 Hailey Tucker who does more than her share to keep the opposition honest. With a long, lean build the 2015 Tucker has the mobility to cut both individually and off screens to create her looks. The height necessitates a defensive match up with size but the agility will challenge a defender who can’t keep up. On the catch she’s got a quick release and the entire gym knows she’s looking for her shot. The touch and range are there to give her the green light but don’t overplay or she’ll put the ball on the floor to improve her looks. While stronger than in the past some more strength will be an asset at the next level on both ends of the floor.
Davida Dale continues to impress no matter what gym she takes the floor in. The 5-10 guard is one of the most athletic and explosive players in both club and scholastic basketball. Few things would scare a defender more than the sight of Dale catching and squaring up at the top of the key. She’s got the use of strong shot and ball fakes but even the slightest defensive movement is going to result in an explosive first step and wishful thinking for any chance of recovery. The reclassified 2016 has a somewhat forward motion on the jumper but still delivers with relative consistency from 15 feet and in. Taking it all the way to the rim, she has the physical strength to handle contact from any rotating big but also the creativity to get the shot off or draw fouls. Defensively she can easily contain or steer ballhandlers plus one or two passes away from the ball she gets more than her share of touches and steals.
Left handed Taylor Paulsrud of the Minnesota Suns can offer up a headache for defenders at times. The 5-11, 2015 wing is agile and active both in transition or halfcourt sets. She’s gets out in the lane making herself an option on the break but also has a good understanding of the value of a hard cut versus a Sunday stroll off of a teammate’s screen. A Minnesota State commitment, Paulsrud can create off the dribble and get to the rim but just as easily elevate for a midrange pull up. On the catch there is a quick release but the jury is still out on consistency form long range. The next level will call for a more physical approach defensively but the effort and understanding are already in place.
