TOLEDO, Ohio – Memorial Day weekend is rapidly turning into one of the busiest non-certified event periods regardless of the time of year. For the fourth consecutive year the USJN Memorial Day Challenge provided one of the settings that took the place of parties, picnics and celebrations. Four different states and Canada were represented by 90 participating teams while 57 D-II, D-III, NAIA and junior college coaches took in the action courtside. Three locations and 12 courts hosted the competition in four divisions beginning Saturday morning. To see the complete list of colleges that attended / final results / Pool All Stars – Click Here
Bracket winners following pool play were as follows:
Sports City U defeated Dayton Lady Hoopstars 17 Premier to win the Top Division
Ohio Rockers 17 Llanas defeated Michigan Cagers 17 to win the 17/16 Division
Indiana Lady Legit 14 defeated The Cincy Angels 15 to win the 15/14 Division
Ohio Lady Bruins 13 defeated the Michigan Monarchs to win the 13/12 Division
While we split time between Toledo and another event several individuals stood out with their play.
It’s hard not to take notice of Sports City U and their dominant performance. In five games the closet an opponent came to challenging the folks in green and orange was still a 30 point margin. All the usual standouts were themselves and offered up plenty of moments. Ashley Morrissette (Twinsburg, Ohio – 2013) demonstrated her versatility with and without the ball and Alexis Peterson (Columbus, Ohio – 2013) attacked time and again while Alyssa Rice (Reynoldsburg, Ohio – 2014) had her opportunities around the rim. However it may be the newcomers that give Tom Jenkin’s club the depth to cause major headaches for opponents. Makayla Waterman (Dayton, Ohio) and Kathryn Westbeld (Kettering, Ohio) give them a pair of high profile 2014 forward’s that have had coaches at their doorsteps for several years already. Paige Cashin (Newark, Ohio – 2013) is showing steady improvement and could become a real factor before the summer’s end while ever Marisa Howard (Aurora, Ohio – 2014) is showing promise inside as well. Alexis Gassion (Fairborn, Ohio – 2013) is the kind of guard that recruiters are going to wish they had focused on even sooner than the group already lined up for her. The youngest member of the roster, 2016 Celina King (Cincinnati, Ohio), advances her game virtually on a daily basis and is one to watch.
Three other Sports City U rookies showed some strong progress in their already established games.
Point guard Bianca Quisenberry (Springfield, Ohio – 2013) displayed some aggressive and assertive play at both ends of the floor. Standing 5-8, she’s physically strong with good lateral speed and quickness. Her attack starts from makes, misses and turnovers and the downfloor vision is always there. Off penetration she can read and deliver the interior pass as well as kick it to the wing or corner for the open jumper. Her perimeter consistency will be a key for keeping defenders honest and allow her to be an impact each time out. On the defensive end her on ball effort is challenging for opponents and can set the tone for her teammates behind her.
Martha Thompson (Bedford Heights, Ohio – 2013) has previously shown a strong individual attack but is now blending it into a versatile team game. The ability to create her own shot has always been there but now the option and ability to read rotations and make the smart pass seem to be evolving and making her a multifaceted threat. On her pull up the elevation makes her shot difficult to contest and provides her clean looks at the rim. Defensively she has her moments and is still prone to taking a few chances and ending up out of position but she may be one of the few players with the athleticism to recover.
Jenny Degraaf (Springboro, Ohio – 2013) is going to be one of the players that college coaches underestimate. The 6-1 forward has the size and strength to work down low and in the paint but her ability to shoot the ball makes her the match up nobody wants. Degraaf is no secret but if recruiters don’t take a closer look they’re going miss the added power aspect to her game and assertiveness with the ball. Her individual ball skills allow her to create her own looks off the drive and the pull up is not a foreign element to her arsenal. There’s a new and apparent confidence in her game that allows her to make plays at both ends and be a strong presence on the glass. Similar performances to Memorial Day weekend once the coaches are back courtside should open some eyes just a bit wider.
Other standouts that caught our attention included…
The Cincy Angels may have not had a full roster nor did they play their best basketball but its hard not to still take notice of the talent on hand. Swing player Sydney Brackemyre (Harveysburg, Ohio – 2014) already has major offers on the table but there could be plenty more knocking once July rolls around. Combining good size at 6-1 with strength and skills makes her a tough assignment defensively. The ballhandling is there to get to the rim but the form and range will force tight closeouts as well. There’s a patience to her game on the catch that allows her to read and break down defenders. The tools are there to defend both the forward and wing spot and she has the agility to be a factor in pressing situations. Brackemyre is already well suited for the college game and what she does the next two years will determine just how far she can take her game and at what level.
Dayton verbal commit Christy Macioce (Pickerington, Ohio – 2013) offered up some impressive perimeter shooting that should keep future coach Jim Jabir smiling. Over the last couple of years Macioce has added to her game and made herself a more complete player. At 5-10 there’s good size that serves her well on both ends of the floor as well as decent footwork to help her out defensively. She’s comfortable with the ball and more than willing to kick it ahead or pitch the ball off penetration. Added strength will be a key down the road to make her more college ready when the time comes.
Brackemyre wasn’t the only standout for the Cincy Angels. Point guard and recent St. Bonaventure commit Imani Outlaw (Cincinnati, Ohio – 2013) demonstrated the game that has Jim Crowley’s staff excited up in Olean. The 5-8 Outlaw was on constant attack and made things happen both off the drive and from the perimeter. Using her explosive first step she got by on ball defenders time and again converting at the rim and from a consistent pull up. She also added several deep jumpers that forced opponents to commit to containing one element of her attack or the other. Defensively her physical strength offsets any lack of size and allows her to contain and steer opposing ballhandlers.
A couple of other standouts…
The Dayton Hoopstars made it all the way to the final against Sports City and a lot of it had to do with the play of Maddison Rittinger (Centerville, Ohio – 2013). A 6-0 wing, she provided a deceiving game that feature both inside and outside options. The ability is there to slash to the rim and finish in traffic. At the same time she connected from long range consistently and confidently. Her ballhandling and passing skills keep her teammates and coaches happy as well as create opportunities. Her lean, wiry build will need some added bulk and strength in the future but some possibilities are there.
Shiloh Murphy (Reynoldsburg, Ohio – 2013) of the Ohio Glory has multiple tools and the ability to make plays as a 5-9 guard. The ability to penetrate as well as knock it down from the outside is there.
Ashanti Abshaw (Cleveland Heights, Ohio – 2014) of Lady’s First Basketball Academy was a scoring machine with the ball in her hands. The combo guard has both an explosive first step and speed that’s tough to contain.
