WASHINGTON, D.C.–There were some impressive basketball tournaments this past weekend in Hampton VA, Chicago IL, and North Carolina. In Washington DC, the USJN Capital City Classic may not have had a lot of the “loaded” teams but it did show us plenty of young rising talent. With hard work, good coaching and some additions to their respective team’s roster, these players could be in that bright spot light soon.
In the weekend’s best match-up, coach Stan King’s young and talented VA Cardinals 15 Jr. Elite Team faced the Philadelphia Belles of Rachel Woodall, a mix of 10th & 11th graders. Although the game came down to literally the last touch, between the tap & the final buzzer it was a tale of two halves. The first half was a turn-over fest for the Belles. The Cardinals backcourt of Janice Ladson, Erin Irving and Kierra Turner applied relentless pressure that exploited the Belle’s bad spacing thus causing plenty of errant passes. The Cardinals stepped into the passing lanes seemingly at will and headed to the hoop. The Cardinals used that aggressiveness to take a 6 point halftime lead. “We made a couple of personnel changes and stepped up our own pressure at the beginning of the second half” said Belles coach, Rachel Woodall. Tighter passing angles and attacking the basket allowed Alexia Bruno, Nikola Williams and Kyasia Stanford to get the basket. Led by Williams all out assault on the basket that included two 3 point plays, the Belles went on a 19-11 run in the first 6 minutes of the second half to post a 3 point lead. The game went back and forth from the 9 minute mark and despite some very good defense from both clubs; neither team was able to pull away.
The game came down to the last touch and the last 30 seconds unfolded like this:
: 30 – Nikola Williams puts the Belles on top 56-54 with two free throws.
: 17 – The Cardinals Erin Irving drove the lane for a lay-up that tied the contest at 56 apiece
Following a couple missed shots, loose balls and a debated jump-ball, the Cardinals had one last opportunity with 1.7 seconds left. After a Cardinal turnover, Erin Irving received the inbounds pass at ¾ court, took one dribble and launched… BANG! VA Cardinals 59 Philadelphia Belles 56… Great finish to a great game!
Players to watch
Class of 2014
Emanuella Awobajo 6’0” G/F (Philadelphia Belles- Halligan): Long, lanky & fast, touch around the basket, finishes well.
Alexia Bruno 5’5” PG (Philadelphia Belles- Woodall): Makes wise decisions. She’s quick & fast, passes off the dribble with both hands.
Jess Monte 6’0” F (Philadelphia Belles- Parks): Strong initial post position stays strong through the move… Finish needs work.
Class of 2015
Janice Ladson 5’2” PG (VA Cardinals 15 Jr. Elite): Quick & fast, gets from point A to point B faster than most… Good court awareness, tenacious defensively, reads passing lanes.
Passion Scott 6’1” F (VA Cardinals 15 Jr. Elite): Strong post moves and finishes at the basket… She moves well for her size.
Kierra Turner 5’7” Combo G (VA Cardinals 15 Jr. Elite): Size & strength, left hander, strong handle & good pull-up jumper.
Nikola Williams 5’9” G (Philadelphia Belles- Woodall): She has a strong body that she throws all over the floor! Clutch shooter, attacks the basket with a very strong finish.
Taylor McGlashan 6’0” F (Philadelphia Belles- Woodall): Athletic with a long reach, quick off the floor, good touch around the basket.
Kyasia Stanford 5’8” G (Philadelphia Belles- Woodall): Solid ball handler, good form on her jump shot, can attack the basket to score.
Kobe Chaney 5’10” F/G (MD Southern Shooters 15): Solid, lean body (college wing player) has some rough ability, needs polish.
Anna Blue Catlett 5’10” F/G (Winchester Rising Stars): Good size, handles the ball well for her size, impressive crossover. She needs to develop a jump shot to get to the next level.
Danielle Rizzari 5’4” PG (Winchester Rising Stars): Court savvy makes her quicker than she may be… Fast with the ball in her hands, finds the open player.
Class of 2016
Erin Irving 5’8” G (VA Cardinals 15 Jr. Elite): Strong at the basket, a scorer that wants the ball… All the time!
Joesph Costa – Joe has been with Blue Star for 13 years and serves as a Program Consultant and National Skill Development Coordinator. Coaching the the Pittsburgh 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.
