HAMPTON, Va. – That beautiful facility in coastal Virginia known for its AAU Tournaments in the spring and summer also hosts one of the emerging holiday events in girls scholastic basketball.  The Boo Williams/Ronald Curry Christmas Tournament hosted 64 teams this year, and as always, the talent was abundant. The Boo Williams Sportsplex features eight courts under one roof making it easy to find good basketball action and talent…and the teams in attendance did not disappoint!

As usual, programs from all over the Mid Atlantic packed the schedule and there was quite an impressive mix of established names, signed seniors as well as an array of very promising freshmen.  As always, it’s impossible to see everyone but here are some players who closed out 2016 on a high note at the Boo Williams and Ronald Curry 2016 Christmas Classic.

Zenzele Apesemaka-Vital – 2018 – 5-7 – Guard – Bishop McNamara – Athletic guard…Earned All Tournament honors in her bracket…Dangerous and aggressive in attacking the basket…Mid range pull up continues to improve

Shakira Austin – 2018 – 6-5 – Post – Colonial Forge — Fast and long post…Moves well on D…Snatches a ton of rebounds…Will rip and drive from the high post…Has an arsenal of moves and great feet inside…Big time prospect

Rachel Balzer – 2020 – 5-10 – Guard – Germantown Academy – Buried eight three’s en route to a 26 point performance on the final day…Smart…Doesn’t force anything…Knows when to pull the quick trigger

Brayla Bogier – 2020 – 6-0 – Forward – Colonial Forge — Has a good look/build… Physical tools and mature poise already catching eyes…Can knock down the 12-15 foot jumper

Jakayla Brown – 2018 – 5-9 – Guard – St. Mary’s Ryken — Will play some point…Better suited for the wing…Improved as a jump shooter …Hit the mid-range and the three

Jakia Brown-Turner – 2019 – 6-0 — Guard/Forward – Bishop McNamara — Big, long wing…Lefty…Nice three point stroke…Can score some inside…Versatility and athleticism continues to serve her well

Tiara Chambers – 2018 – 6-3 – Post – I.C. Norcom — Big post…Can finish inside…Pulls down some strong rebounds… Makes some impressive big plays

Jasha Clinton – 2020 – 5-7 – Point Guard/Guard – Princess Anne — Freshman combo guard…Can flat out go…Has a build and playing style of an older player…Driver…Handled the point guard duties often for a very good team…Active defender

Mykalyn Davis – 2020 – 5-7 – Point Guard – I.C. Norcom — Quick young PG…Has that “attack” mode gear…Lefty…Loves to drive left but can get to the basket going right…Nice pull up three…Already turning some heads

Makayla Dickens – 2018 – 5-7 – Guard – Princess Anne — Strong, stocky guard…Can shoot the three on the move…Uses strong, decisive passes to advance the ball against full court pressure

Camille Downs – 2017 – 5-11 – Guard – Colonial Forge — Coppin State signee…Athletic…Long, taller wing…Elevates on the mid range pull up…Has the tools to be an impact defender

Kelsey Fogarty – 2020 – 5-4 – Point Guard/Guard – Menchville – Small but brings a very good skill set to the table…Has the handles to attack basket…Nice three point stroke…Earned All Tournament Team honors in her bracket

Minika Glenn – 2017 – 5-9 – Guard – Neumann-Goretti — Bigger guard…Has hops she uses to finish and pull rebounds…Tough running in transition…Smooth catch and shoot in the mid range

Ashley Jones – 2017 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Neumann-Goretti – Future WVU Mountaineer… Size and physicality serves her well…Physical with the ball…Nice long crossover… 19 points in semi-final effort

Liatu King – 2020 – 5-10 – Guard/Forward – Bishop McNamara — Wow factor shot blocker…Athletic and plays tough…Likes to work the high and mid post…Strong passer… Lots of potential

Erica Lee – 2019 –5-8 –Guard – Osbourn Park – Can score the ball…Earned MVP honors in her bracket… Has the build and skill set to keep advancing

Zoe Mayard – 2019 – 5-5 – Point Guard/Guard – Landstown – Quick combo guard…Earned MVP honors in her division… Can score…Gets after it on defense… Young player to watch

Kristen Mayo – 2017 – 5-6 – Point Guard/Guard – East Carter – Marshall signee…Strong playmaker with the ball in her hands…Gets to the cup…Embraces contact…Gets to the line

Amesha Miller – 2017 – 6-1 – Forward – King’s Fork — UNCG commit…Nice combination of athleticism and shooting touch…Good mid-range jump shooter…15 foot on the move without a hitch…Will post a little bit…Can take a couple dribbles on the perimeter to make the pass

Rochelle Norris – 2018 – 6-5 – Post – Riverdale Baptist — Big post…Made an impact on both sides of the ball…Double-double machine…Won MVP honors in her bracket while winning top division’s championship… Continues to have a strong season

Jordan Poole – 2020 – 5-8 – Guard – Lake Taylor — Freshman playing a lot of minutes…Always an eye-catcher…Impressive speed and athleticism is impressive…Runs the floor…Factor in transition defense…Can hit the three…Difference-maker on D… Earned All Tournament honors in her division…Lots of potential

Adriana Shipp – 2019 – 5-8 – Guard – Deep Creek — Long wing…Handles it well…Penetrates…Can shoot the three but streaky right now…Coaches like the build…Will be watched closely

Zhymani Smith – 2017 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Menchville — Unsigned senior PG…All around threat…Multifaceted productivity…Does a little bit of everything both ways… Can hit tough mid-range shots and get to cup…Knows when to dish…All Tournament Team in her bracket

Mya Thomas – 2019 – 5-4 – Point Guard – Deep Creek — Small, quick…Nice handles…Height is biggest hurdle at this point but only a sophomore…Earned All Tournament Honors in her bracket

Xaria Wiggins – 2018 – 6-0 – Guard/Forward – Princess Anne — Tall long forward…Handles it like a guard…Explosive with the ball in her hands…Tough to stop going to the basket…Gets up to pull boards…Fast with the ball…Four dribbles end to end…All Tournament Team honors in her bracket