NEWARK, N.J.– It was the iconic Frank Sinatra who first told us to, “Start spreading the news.” Then years later, Alicia Keys chronicled the “concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there’s nothing you can’t do” where “these streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you.” All of these tales are about the city that never sleeps, New York, New York. This Memorial Day weekend, in the shadows of the Empire State Building and Yankee Stadium, more than 60 teams gathered for their own Broadway performances at the 9th Annual USJN Big Apple Challenge.
Players came from as near as a few blocks away, or as far as Arizona, to compete and show their stuff. A little more than a month removed from the April evaluation period, and a little more than a month away from July, it was a great setting to test for players to show who’s been working on their games, and who is playing to win.
For a full event recap, scores, and pool all-stars, visit the USJN post event page here:
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=430
There was certainly no shortage of talent on the court this weekend. Particularly, several young players really stood out and set the tone. Here are some of those players who are already heading in the right direction without having even made it to high school (or middle school!!) yet.
Destiny Adams is a versatile, 6’1 prospect who turned heads for the Jersey Warriors Basketball Club this weekend. Adams has the size, build, and three point range of a stretch four player, but the explosiveness on the drive and ability to wrap the ball up and finish through contact to make us think she can stick on the wing as well. When she rebounds, she will take it herself and start the break. There’s a maturity to her game that makes it safe to use words like exciting potential.
Perhaps the youngest and smallest player we saw this weekend was 2024 point guard Leah Harmon, but don’t tell her that! This young lady brought a big time game for the North Jersey Blast, dribbling her way through traffic and knocking down the three or mid-range jumper off the bounce with the ease of players more than a few years her senior. Harmon can do it all off the dribble, driving and scooping lay ups around the defender, passing to her post in the pick and roll game and more. As she grows and continues to work and develop, look out.
Hailing from the Tar Heel state, 2021 guard Kate Hollifield is one of many impressive prospects who balled out for Carolina Elite 13 this past weekend. Already sporting impressive 5-7 size for her position, Hollifield showed both the anticipation to shoot the gap in the passing lanes, and then the athleticism and footwork to evade defenders for the bucket and the harm in transition. At times, she was having her own lay up drill out there. Throw in a bunch of made free throws, and you have yourself a great weekend.
Without a doubt, Kiyomi McMiller is continuing to become a household name. The 2024 point guard is fun to watch and more importantly has fun playing hard out there. Despite being the youngest player for the OSA Sharpshooters, McMiller plays and thinks the game well beyond her years. She’s a tremendous ball handler who can hit the jumper off the bounce or on the move. With and without the ball, she shows that she understands spacing and how to make herself available for a shot, or get a shot for her teammates. This is an established and exciting player.
Haylee Weathersby and her KN9NE teammates made the trek all the way across country from Arizona, and the 6’1 2021 post prospect certainly made the most of her time on the East Coast. Already sporting a college-ready build, Weathersby moves well and is light on her feet. She makes herself a nice, big target inside, and knows how to finish when she gets it. As well as she runs the floor to go along with her strength, skill, and understanding, it’s safe to say the foundation has been laid for big things in years to come.
Kourtney Wilson continued her strong spring effort for the Philadelphia Belles 13 Peterson squad. Wilson, a 5’8 guard, has good size and length for an off guard, and can be a true playmaker with the ball in her hands. She made some big shots this weekend in close games, from beyond the arc as well as on the drive. Rebounding is another strong suit for this 2022 grad.
QUICKHITTERS
Samantha Ackles – 2022 – 6-2 – Forward – Carolina Elite 13 — Nice size and length for a forward but also has great burst on the drive…Good work in the pick and roll game…Catch and finish on the move in one smooth motion…Mobile…Skilled…Young size
Kaylen Banwareesingh – 2019 – 6-1 – Guard/Forward – New Heights 15 Kelley — Tall and athletic…Versatility on the offensive end is nice…Rim runner…Hit the three…Pick and roll option…Can bring it up herself if need be…Finds a way to the basket when she drives
Charity Barnes –2019 – 6-0 – Guard – NY Lightning 16 — Super athletic wing…Driver all day…Nice hang time on the finish…Has some old school to her game…Gets in triple threat…Stays patient, jabs, and goes suddenly…Can face up and hit the contested mid-range jumper…At times a little casual in her approach…Other times just makes it look easy…Great anticipation defensively led to several steals
Presley Berryhill – 2018 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Central PA Elite 17 — Strong point guard…Not going to be bumped off the ball and will absorb plenty of contact…Not afraid to mix it up on the boards…Hustles and competes with some grit…More of a facilitator but can score
Trinity Bosecker—2019 – 6-3 – Forward – Empire State Basketball — Active forward…Flashes and moves without the ball…Can pass from high post…Built to be more of a face up forward…Will take the 15 foot jumper but still some room to grow as a shooter…One to see in July
Sydni Callis – 2018 – 5-7 – Point Guard/Guard – KN9NE — Athletic, aggressive combo guard…Dangerous ball handler…Also hits the jumper…Has the potential to be an impact defender…Hit game winner off a defender’s back on inbounds play…Savvy and competitiveness there…Shows plenty of flashes…Can she put it all together and break through
Liesl Dentinger – 2020 – 6-2 – Forward – TPL Basketball 17 — Blue collar young forward…High basketball IQ…Feet are always moving…High energy player…Does a lot of different things right now…On the right track
Jasmine Fitzpartick – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard/Forward – Books and Basketball Academy 17 McKay – Raw…Athletic and well built…Wing can score inside and out…Gets up to catch the lob and finish…Connected from three point range…Good hang time in the air…Zip on her passes…Scrappy and physical on boards…Stock will only continue to rise as she continues skill work
Sarah Fitzpatrick – 2018 – 5-7 – Guard – PA Team Success — Steady, fundamental player…Can drill the three on the move…Strings makes…Can turn the corner and get into the paint…Plays hard…Could make an impact at the right level in a couple years
Jania Freeman – 2019 – 5-11 – Forward – Central Western 17 Red — Strong forward…Can handle the ball in transition…Plays with some power…Runs floor well…Plays hard…Has the strength and wide base to be a problem inside at the right level
Trinity Klock – 2020 – 6-0 – Forward – OSA Sharpshooters 15 — Agile forward…Can work inside or drive from the perimeter…Gets up off the ground to boards or finish…Fluid in her attack…Runs the floor…Catches and finishes in transition
Stefanie Kulesza – 2021 – 5-10 – Guard – Philadelphia Belles15 Steidle – Bigger, young shooter…Nice feet to shoot on the move or off screens…Shot is smooth and fluid…Handles fine for two guard spot
Diane Nicholson – 2019 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Philadelphia Belles 16 Gerson — Aggressive driving to the basket…Nice spin move and finish…Tough…Finishes with contact…Picks up some downhill speed with the ball…Has grown into more of a vocal leader at the point
Ekene Owunna – 2021 – 5-10 – Forward – Central Jersey Cardinals 14 – Aggressive, athletic forward…Rebounds well…Finishes inside with both hands…Runs floor very well…Created off bounce
Cavina Rickards – 2019 – 5-9 – Guard – New Heights 15 Kelley — Quick first step on the drive…Showed some great finishes at the bucket…Can pull up or hit the tough floater…Has that glide to her handle…Tough to guard her one on one
Zhane Snow – 2018 – 5-9 – Point Guard/Guard – TLP Basketball 17 — Athletic combo guard had good ball skills on display…Has some mid-range game…Hit the three off the bounce…Step back is there as well…Lots of made jumpers…Quick in transition…Playmaker on defensive end
Madison St. Rose – 2022 – 5-7 – Guard – CJ Hawks Lightning 13 – Versatile…Athletic…Lefty guard…Can drive…Shoots the three and pull up…Still room to grow and improve…Very young and there’s some “it” factor there
Amelia Wilson – 2021 – 5-8 – Point Guard – Philadelphia Belles 13 Halligan — Bigger point…Has the size and jumper to also play off the ball…Can hit the three off the bounce or on the move…Good footwork…Moves without the ball to score or keep offense flowing…Good combination of size and skill
