BURLINGTON, N.J.- This past weekend Bixtar Sports presented the 5th annual Philly Face Off. The event hosted some of the region’s top prospects as 225 teams laced up in 11 local gyms on 23 courts. Blue Star Media was on hand to provide blanket coverage for the three day event. This quick recap of the event denotes some of the top performers. There were many more deserving prospects in action but time and space limit us to the ones below. We’ll look forward to seeing them all in action again soon.
Jordan Nixon – 2018 – 5-7 – PG – (New York, NY IExcel 15U/ 16U)
This point guard was one of the best prospects in any age group over the weekend. Nixon simply did it all. She has fantastic size as a lead guard with an explosive first step to boot. When you throw in her ability to hit the mid-range shot, ability to drive by defenders, plus the focus to finish over bigger players, you have to smile. She also drew plenty of fouls for playing down at the 15U.
Imani Lewis -2018 – 6-2 – Forward – (Burlington, NJ Books and Basketball 16u)
It was a very impressive weekend for Lewis. This forward is known for her ability to shoot the ball from the mid-range but also showed the ability to play in the post. A lefty she attacked the rim more than we’ve seen before and she displayed some desire to rebound and defend. With a knack for scoring, there will always be a spot for her on the floor.
Janai Crooms – 2018 – 5’10 – PG – (Cranston, RI Mass Rivals 17U National)
Crooms uses her strength, quickness and basketball savvy to set up teammates for open buckets. She handles the ball well and has good point guard instincts. Sneaky quick, The 5-10 standout manufactures enough offensive to keep the defense honest. Crooms is always in attack mode but under control.
Deijah Jefferson – 2017 – 6-3-Forward – (Hopewell, VA Cap City Ballerz 2017)
It was Jefferson’s length and some guard like skills that helped her attacking the basket during the Philly Face Off. Her skill set suggests BCS face up four. Defensively is where Jefferson surprised us showing the ability to switch out onto guards effectively at times out of pick and rolls situations from the power forward position.
Rebecca Ripley 2017 – 6-1 – Wing – (Saugus, MA NYC Lady Gauchos 17U)
The Miami commit displayed versatility and toughness playing both inside and out the lane. Saturday night she had it going early by attacking the basket. Ripley mostly played a face up four and showed a trustworthy touch from behind the arc.
Nirel Lougbo – 2019 – 5-10 – PG – (Methuen, MA United Conquerors College Prep)
This past weekend she put together a couple of high scoring games where you could see her ability to score and create. She was nearly impossible to stop when she had it going with her size, speed and quickness getting her to the basket. Lougbo showed her ability by stretching the defense and knocking down three-point shots in multiple games. She did this playing up in the 16U division.
Milicia “Mimi’ Reid – 2017 – 5-8 – PG – (Bronx, NY Exodus NYC)
It’s been a huge Spring for Milicia Reid who led her team in first round EYBL scoring. She certainly didn’t slow down in Philly. Reid, a 5-foot-8-combination guard, is tough, competitive and can score it anyway you want. She’s improved her ability to knock down the three-point shot, but remains aggressive and looking to attack the rim when crowned by defenders. Reid entered the Spring lightly recruited and now holds offers from both PAC 10 and Big Ten schools.
Chloe Chapman – 2019 – 5-9 – PG – (Laurel, MD MD Lady Terps 17U)
It takes little more than a few possessions of watching Chapman’s play before you realize why her future is touted so brightly by the masses. She is extremely gifted, crafty and a slippery ball handler. She showed her ability to break defenders down one-on-one or speed right past opponents and creating easy options for her teammates. Just participating in the 16U division would be one thing, but actually controlling the action with the poise of a seasoned veteran was quiet impressive.
Ayanna Mazyck – 2017 – 5-9 – Guard – (Philadelphia, PA Philly Freedom Stars Elite)
Mazyck, a talented scorer, was at her best when she was going to the rim. She used her ball handling and craftiness to continuously find a route to the basket. On Friday night, she shot lights out almost scoring at will in isolation situations. By mid-day Saturday, she was being double team by the opposition. More of a scorer than shooter, she created scoring opportunities by attacking the rim, hitting mid-range shots or even posting up.
Morgan Simpson – 2017 – 5-3 – PG – (Prince George County, MD Team Takeover EYBL)
Simpson was by far the smallest player on her team yet carried the biggest responsibility. She did this while playing on a team with a BCS backcourt mate and four players over 6-3. Simpson, did a good job in balancing feeding the post and understanding when to push the ball in transition to get the athletic wings easy baskets. At the same time she didn’t let it take away from her own scoring. On the defensive end Simpson was no stranger to making essential plays that won’t show up on in the stat sheet but helps a team win.
Mikayla Markham – 2018 – 5-8 – PG – (Manasquan, NJ Centarl Jersey Hawks 17U/ Laux)
Markham’s value goes far beyond numbers. She’s your consummate floor general who runs a team exceptionally well while still finding ways to put the ball in the basket herself as needed. She showed nice quickness, a change of pace and the ability to knock down the three point shot.
Selena Lott – 2017 – 5-11 – Wing – (East Greenbush, NY Exodus NYC)
Lott has the ideal physical tools for a collegiate wing. She has a strong, mature frame and is a good fluid athlete. She displayed the ability to finish in transition, step out and knock down the three point shot plus did a good job rebounding.
Sydnei Archie – 2017 – 5-10 – Wing – (N. Chesterfield, VA Cross-Over Premier 17U)
Archie showed off numerous skillsets. She scored the ball in many ways including behind the arc, posting up and from mid-range. The VCU Commit did a good job taking whatever the defense gave her by not forcing up shots. She also did a good job helping out with defensive rebounds.
Makayla Pippin – 2018 – 6-2 – Forward – (Severn Park, MD MD Lady Terps 17U)
She showed the ability to play both forward positions. Although only a sophomore, she’s already committed to the University of Florida. During the weekend Pippin scored on all three levels and showed some much improved post play. It looks like she’s ready to have a big summer.
Alana Swift – 2019 -5-6 – PG – (Philadelphia, PA Philly Triple Threat 14U)
Swift has shown much improvement since last August. The Philly point guard was incredibly productive off the bounce and did a good job utilizing hesitations, spin moves and ball fakes. While Swift will most likely be still be a point at the next level, she looked very comfortable playing off the ball on occasion.
Selena Philoxy – 2017 – 6-2 Forward – (Long Island City, NY NYC Lady Gauchos 17U)
Philoxy’s frame, coordination, mobility, size, and length all make her a pretty unique player. She was one of the corner pieces in a big win Saturday evening as she battled on the boards all night. At the same time she showed enough versatility to be able to start the break with her own ballhandling skills. She played both facing up and with her back to the basket, but more often from the high post where she proved to be a good passer.
Neila Luma – 2017 – 6-1 Wing/ forward – (Macungie, PA Philly Triple Threat 16U Taylor)
Luma is a very interesting prospect that shows lots of upside doing a mixture of things offensively. She produced as a spot-up or mid-range shooter, as a cutter/pick and roll finisher or just crashing the offensive glass. For good measure she can play with her back to the basket or run the floor in transition as well. She also showed the ability to guard players with more size.
Victoria Crawford – 2017 – 6-1 – Wing/ Forward – (Potomac, MD Germantown Lady Panthers Black)
While not exceptionally tall or bulky as a combo forward, she compensated with her wingspan. Aside from her ability to score, Crawford made her biggest impact crashing the boards and blocking shots. The agile wing also showed a nice touch from behind the three-point line.
Veronic Burton – 2018 – 5-9 – PG – (Newton, MA Bay State Jaguars 2017)
We watched Burton’s team play versus some of the better known guards at the event. In turn, you couldn’t help but notice her. She took great care of the basketball and also did a great job distributing. She shot the ball well from the perimeter in just a single day of action at the event.
Shawkina “Shy Shy” Mulazin – 2018 – 5-9 – PG – (Baltimore, MD Power Moves 2018)
A tough, competitive combo-guard that could be a big time point guard. When we saw her on Sunday she drove, finished with contact and got to charity stripe. For her size she did a great job rebounding on both ends plus showed a natural feel for the game with a competitive edge.
Brandi Ferby – 2017 – 5-7 – PG – (Smyrna, TN Brandon Wright 2017 Black)
In the two games that we saw she stood out as a floor general that led her team by example. Playing hardnosed defense, directing traffic on offense as well as dishing the rock with accuracy came with good decisions and shot selection.
Nia Clouden – 2018 – 5-9 – PG – (Owings Mills, MD Maryland Tiger 2018)
This well-known 2018 point guard had a solid weekend leading her team out of pool play. We saw her on Sunday when Clouden was at her best pushing the ball in transition or getting into the early offense demonstrating a few different gears. She displayed impressive ball handling skills and good court vision.
Jasmen Walton – 2018 – 5-10 – G – (Baltimore, MD Maryland Tigers 2018)
A powerful guard blessed with excellent quickness and size, Walton had a field day attacking the rim on Sunday. When things got too congested in the lane she exhibited the ability to knock down 10-footers and made multiple trips to the free-throw line. She did a good job playing the passing lanes coming up with multiple steals on the defensive end.
Sydney Wagner – 2017- 5-7- Guard – (Phoenixville, PA Philly Freedom Stars Elite)
Wagner is a deceptive combo that can light you up when left open. She showed some ability to run the team as the primary ball handler. She was at her best with the Freedom playing off the ball attacking the rim and shooting the three ball.
Dakota McCaughan – 2020 -5-2 PG – (Philadelphia, PA Philly Triple Threat 14U)
McCaughan is a perfect example of “don’t judge a book by it cover”. She is the smallest girl on the court playing up a level wearing knee high socks facing rising high school sophomores. Once the ball was tipped the strong, confident floor general showed her ability to attack in transition, drive and dish, shot the three and, keeping teammates happy, did a very good job making a point pass into the post.
Courtney Shaw – 2018 – 6-1 – W/F – (Baltimore, MD Power Moves 2018)
Shaw is a long, athletic face up forward who is both a productive defender and an outstanding offensive rebounder. She has a nice wingspan and good height for her position but remains extremely lanky. She’s very fluid and quick but not explosive. She relies more on her length, timing and lateral quickness on defense because of her current lack of bulk.
Jazmine Carter – 2018 – 6-2 – Forward – (Sicklerville, NJ IExcel 15U)
Carter has prototypical height and strength for a power forward but is also strong enough to slide over to the center position in a small lineup. She showed good mobility and soft hands around the rim both rebounding and on put backs.
Margo Peterson – 2018 – 6-1-Wing – (Lafayette, NJ United NJ Osta-Navy)
Our first time seeing Peterson, she did a good job putting together an impressive all-around weekend. She did a fair amount of damage in transition where she’s very opportunistic both as a lane-filler and ball handler. She moved well without the ball and showed a nice perimeter shot that extended to behind the three-point line.
