Blue Star is the most reputable name and longest running evaluation service in women’s basketball. In addition to serving the needs of the most extensive list of clientele in college basketball, Blue Star has also operated exposure events for over 25 years and also sponsors in excess of 40 club programs nationwide. While Blue Star Media offers up first hand coverage, evaluations and photos for both the high school and club circuit, evaluators from Blue Star Report are also in the gym contributing to the depth and credibility of the most respected recruiting service available to recruiters. Our first “Exposure Extra” offers up some of their thoughts and evaluations from the Fall NCAA Evaluation Period and Blue Star’s own Fall College Showcases. Check back for another “Extra” later this week.
Blue Star’s Fall College Showcase – Waukegan
By Cameron Tucker
WAUKEGAN, Ill. — It was a packed house in Waukegan, Illinois last Friday for the first night of basketball as players, coaches and parents gathered for USJN’s 8th Annual Battle of the Programs/Elite Oktoberfest-Midwest that was taking place on Saturday. The focus of the evening was Blue Star’s Fall College Showcase-Midwest. It was the place to be as over 140 college coaches watched the 60 players from 7 different states.
From the Showcase two players really stood out:
The real McCoy! Forgive the cheesy line, but Tori McCoy (6’4” * Forward/Center * 2016 * Champaign, IL) is a machine for her age and could hold her own in a college game today. She is athletic and smooth around the court for her size. Also, she has enough guard skills to make her game multidimensional as opposed to a pure back to the basket post player.
Another terrific young player was Haley Gorecki (5’9” * Guard * 2015 * Palatine, IL). She has the ingredients to be a dominating floor general and will be pursued by high level programs. Not only does she handle the ball well, she can also finish against contact for multiple 3 point plays.
In addition to the Blue Star Showcase, some of the 85 different teams participating on Saturday attending the events took the court. The last 3 games of the day provided the most drama as each one came down to the final couple of minutes.
The first game saw a 3 point victory for IL-Chicago Hoops Express I over MI-Crossover. For the MI-Crossover, two things stood out. Marte Grays (6’3” * Guard/Forward * 2014 * Detroit) is an amazing athlete with loads of potential while Asia Doss (5”8” * Guard * 2014 * Detroit) can use her defense to annoy even the quickest opponents.
The MI-Crossover program didn’t go home empty handed that first night as their 15 team won a 2 point game against the IL-Lady Broncos. Wisconsin commit Malayna Johnson (6’4” * Forward/Center * 2013) was tearing up the boards and seems to be improving her ability to get her hands on the ball.
Finally, Gabrielle Ortiz (5’9” * Guard * 2014 * Mt. Pleasant) tried to use her offensive firepower to help keep her team win but it wasn’t enough against a deeply talented WI-Playground. Ortiz had some help from ever improving Alexis Glasgow (5’10” * Guard * 2014 * Arlington Heights) and Jade Owens (5’8” * Point Guard * 2014 * River Forest). IL-Midwest Elite has a lot of Division I players and it’s nice to see their players continuously making strides.
As for WI-Playground, Coach Jeff Smith has talent galore with a do everything player Arike Ogunbowale (5’10” * Guard * 2015 * Milwaukee), a creative driver Allazia Blockton (6’0” * Guard/Forward * 2015 * Milwaukee), a smooth athlete Amani Wilborn (5’9” * Guard * 2015 * Milwaukee), and an exciting, high energy ball handler Shakeela Fowler (5’4” * Point Guard * 2015 * Brown Deer).
The night was enjoyable, not only as an evaluator but as a fan of the game. Numerous talented players were put up against stiff competition and coaches got to see how players reacted to the pressure.
Blue Star Fall College Showcase – Chantilly
By Joe Costa
CHANTILLY, Va. — The Nova Dome in Chantilly played host to the 2012 Blue Star Basketball Fall College Showcase (East) Friday September 28. The event had 52 participants from NY to FL that drew over 50 college coaches. The 5 teams competed hard for 3 Jamboree type games each. The graduating classes were from 2013-2017 and talent ranged from D1 – D3/NAIA levels.
Three players stood out to the evaluators; Nicole Munger, a 5’6” guard from Doylestown PA was possibly the best player in the group. Class of 2015, Nicole has great desire and a long reach. This makes her a dangerous defender with excellent ball handling skills. The wide range of her jump shot makes her a threat on both sides of the ball. Lauren Janka arrived from Boynton Beach FL with a lot of post moves in her bag of tricks and she displayed what seemed like all of them to the field. The HS Sr. is 6’3” on a thin frame; she has good footwork and wants the basketball in the post. With some polish Lauren could become a shining diamond in some lucky colleges’ line-up. Diamond Tyson (2013/ 5’8” G from Chapel Hill NC) was limited in playing time due to illness but because we have seen so much of her, we are well aware of the pure power game she possesses. A top 10 HS scorer in NC, Diamond has the athletic build and ball handling ability that allows her to get to the basket at will. Her underrated (& under used) jump shot and above average floor vision completes her offensive toolbox.
The showcase top performances were turned in from the following:
2013
Lauren Janka (6’3” F- Boynton Beach FL)
Amanda Hinton (5’7” G- Bristow VA)
Diamond Tyson (5’8” G- Chapel Hill NC)
Marjani Lillard (5’8” G- Bowie MD)
Destinee Tunstall (6’1” F- Brentwood MD)
2014
Gillian Gerton (6’0” F- Lorton VA)
Jahla Osborne (6’0” F- Stafford VA)
2015
Nicole Munger (5’6” G- Doylestown PA)
Karlie Cronin (5’9” G- Oakton VA)
Jessica George (5’9” G- Waldorf MD)
Naiyah Thompson (5’11” F- Waldorf MD)
2017
Maggie Rakowsky (5’4” G- Erwinna PA)
Blue Star Basketball’s Fall College Showcase – Indianapolis
By Cameron Tucker
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Blue Star Basketball’s Fall College Showcase in Indianapolis, Indiana was a huge success. Nearly 180 players were able to show off their abilities to the numerous college coaches in attendance. While most of the student-athletes were from Indiana, there were also quality players from Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Maryland, and even as far away as Florida. While there was some older talent on display, most notably UNC recruit Stephanie Mavunga (6’3” * 2013 * Center * IN), the impressive part of the showcase had to be the vast amount of young talent, including 2016 and 2017 prospects.
Cream of the Crop
Three young players really stood out and were head and shoulder above the rest in terms of overall skill.
Tiara Murphy (5’6” * 2015 * Shooting Guard * IN) always has an immediate impact on any game. She is a little on the thin side but she has a lot of speed to go along with her ability to score many different ways. Her skill set makes her a special player and she will have a lot of high major’s recruiting her.
Not even in high school yet, Dana Evans (5’4” * 2017 * Point Guard * IN) is a lightning quick guard. She has a mastery and comfort level with the basketball that many college players would envy. Dana can get to the paint at will and the only downside on her right now would be her size but with her youth she has plenty of time to grow and get stronger.
Another exciting guard was Darby Maggard (5’4” * 2015 * Point Guard * IN). Darby’s game has a little bit of flash and is creative with the ball. Some coaches shy away from showy players but she does it in a way that shows she has worked on these moves and has a mastery of ball handling fundamentals. She is solid with the ball and loves to distribute.
2013s
Calyn Hosea (5’11” * Guard * IN) is an athlete with 3 point range.
Allyson Lehman (5’10” * Guard * IN).
Jenae Curtiss (5’7” * Guard * OH) is a nice all-around player who can do a little of everything.
Cassidy Deno ( 6’0” * Guard/Forward * IN)is strong and active but a tad slow.
Ja Maris Howell (5’9” * Forward * IN) is a solidly fundamental player.
Denitra Brown (5’4” * Point Guard * IN) is a strong player that finishes well.
Tamra Holder (5’7” * Guard * KY) is quick but is a bit of a tweener.
2014s
Anna Imhoff (5’11” * Guard/Forward * IN) is versatile with an nice frame and drives well for her.
Danielle Brewer (5’9” * Forward * IN) is a quick ball handler and a solid player.
Brooke Packer (5’11” * Guard/Forward * IN) is a very versatile player.
Khadijah Moore (5’10” * Forwad * IN) possesses a lot of power.
Shadae Bosley (6’2” * Center * KY) rebounds well but needs to smooth her game out.
2015s
Amani Ferguson (5’5” * Point Guard * IN) has deep range but needs to become more consistent.
Peyton Fallis (5’10” * Guard * IN) is a solid passer with 3 range.
Regan Wentland (6’1” * Center * IN) is lanky but has range and moves well around the court.
Liza Tibbs (6’3” * Center * KY) is always moving and aware of the ball.
Madeline Raster (5’7” * Guard * IN) is a scrappy guard.
2016s
Kennedy Kuykendall (5’7” * Guard * IN).
Megan Walton (5’9” * Guard * IN).
Cameron Onken (5’9” * Guard * IN).
Mckenzie Leigh (6’1” * Forward * KY).
Allie Mccool (6’2” * Center * IN).
2017s
Madison Wise (5’10” * Guard/Forward * IN).
Breaunna Lloyd (5’8” * Guard * IN).
Rachel Mclinmore (5’9” * Guard * IN).
Megan Chapman (5’9” * Guard * IN).
Cameron Tucker – Cameron comes to Blue Star after serving on the staff at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for 5 seasons. Prior to his time with the Panthers he worked at Warner University as well as assisting the program at his alma mater, Ball State University. Tucker is single and resides in Indiana.
Joesph Costa – Joe has been with Blue Star for 12 years and serves as a Program Consultant and National Skill Development Coordinator. Coaching the the Pittsburg Rockers for over 10 years; he helped produce two national championships and over 75 scholarship student athletes. Additionally Costa has coached both girls and boys on the high school level as well as serving as a floor coach for several Nike camps and skills academies. He currently resides in Pittsboro, North Carolina.
