AUGUSTA, Ga.—While the invitation only Nike Family reunion was going on across the river in North Augusta, Blue Star hosted members of their own family tree plus a few select others in the 5th annual Blue Star Nationals. All told 24 teams from 20 states converged on Paine College and St. Mary’s on the Hill School for their final performance on the recruiting stage of the NCAA summer evaluation period.
Over the course of the three day event 238 recruiters took in the action seeing the Nebraska CSS Bison grab top honors with a 74 – 33 championship game win over the Illinois Lady Lightning. The Bison barely escaped a semifinal match up with the Kentucky Premier to make it into the final with just a one point margin on the scoreboard. The Lady Lightning clawed their way in with a two point victory over the Missouri Valley Eclipse in the quarters and a tight four point win over the Midwest Elite in the semis. The second championship bracket saw the Garner Flames continue their winning ways following a USJN National Championship win in D.C. just a week earlier. The Flames grabbed a 58 – 34 final round win over the South Carolina 76’ers to claim their second consecutive title of the summer.
Jessica Sheppard and Jamie Kissinger notched All-Star nods for the Bison while the Lady Lightning saw Liza Fruendt, Morgan Seberger and Kateri Stone recognized. Additionally, Kaila Ealey and Rydeiah Rogers were named from Garner. For a complete listing of pool All-Stars, final tournament brackets and a list of the college programs and coaches on hand, follow the link below.
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=206
Here are just a few of the other performers who caught our eye in Augusta.
One of the great things about watching a team multiple times over the course of a short period is to see the growth and advancement in a player’s game, specifically younger athletes. Erin Boley of the Kentucky Premier is evolving into the kind of player that college coaches are desperately looking for these days. At 6-1, she’s a combination of size, skills and instincts that challenge defensive approaches from opponents. The ability is there to put it on the floor and she has a knack for slithering her way through traffic in the paint. The 2016 Hodgenville, Kentucky native reads opponents and is adept at getting her match up out of their stance to facilitate her penetration. The “bigger picture” will need to embraced to provide better understanding as to when and when not to attack rather than driving just because she can get by her own defender. Boley’s pull up is impressive with good elevation and a nice touch. Footspeed isn’t the first thing that’s going to catch your eye but its sound and she has a good understanding of gaps on her close outs.
University of Missouri early commit and Columbia native Sophie Cunningham is another combination of size and skills that causes headaches for defenders. What really sets the 6-1 Missouri Valley Eclipse guard apart from the crowd is her complete grasp of the game. Starting with the fact that she’s out in transition on virtually every possession she’s going to impact play with and without the ball. On the catch she can create both shots and passes and is more than willing to give it up if a better opportunity develops for a teammate. Cunningham is durable and can take a hit. At one point she stayed in the game with a seriously rolled ankle to convert in transition just a single play later. While the wing will be home for her at the next level she can offer some work at the small forward spot performing effectively from the high post or in a four-out set. The 2015 standout has a great frame for the college weight room making opponents job that much more challenging.
While not intended as a “size on the perimeter” theme article, it was hard not to be impressed by Kortney Dunbar’s efforts in Augusta and across the summer. Established as one of the premier shooters in the 2014 class, the Midwest Elite wing is adding a much more balanced attack that is keeping defenders guessing. At 6-1 and already possessing a solid build she’s a mystery match up for the opposition. Go big and they have to play with a cushion which leads to Dunbar doing what she does best. Go small and she’s capitalizing more and more on penetration and using her size. Over the summer there appeared a greater willingness or even an enjoyment of physical play which will keep a smile on the face of her coaches at the next level. Dunbar has her moments on the boards but could be more effective particularly on the offensive end following shots with her agility rather than watching. The Edwardsville, Illinois product has her choices of schools at the highest level and should have no trouble making the transition to the college game.
Keeping with the unintended theme, you couldn’t watch the action in Augusta and not take notice of Haley Gorecki of the Illinois Elite. At 6-0 she has the legitimate guard skills to be an impact player on virtually any roster. Her ballhandling and passing are on par with the top tier of the 2015 class. Beyond that she has the vision and willingness to share the ball that keeps coaches and teammates smiling. Her ball and body control are advanced for her age and lead to both her own looks or assist options. Don’t be too quick to underestimate her own scoring abilities. Gorecki handles traffic well and can finish around the rim off penetration. Spotting up on the perimeter the touch is there to keep opponents honest and closing out. Her lateral speed is solid on defense but the Palatine, Illinois native will need to grasp the need for physical play to greater degree as she matures. All the tools are in place, keep watching.
It’s hard to be a known commodity and ‘burst” onto the scene but that’s just what Tori McCoy has done across this spring and summer. Playing with the Midwest Elite in Augusta, McCoy continued to demonstrate that she’s one of, if not “the”, premier post in the 2016 class. Well chronicled over the course of the past few months is her ability to utilize her size, strength and athleticism in conjunction with an ever developing skill set. There are few backcourts that wouldn’t be thrilled to have a 6-4 big dominating the boards plus getting out on the break with them as McCoy does time and again. Calling Champaign, Illinois home, she’s adding a more refined game further from the rim. The first step is as quick as that of most guards but has the length and strength of a big. Defensively her anticipation leads to tips, steals and breakaways. On the boards she’s always a presence but is reliant on physical attributes rather than fundamental details. Decisions still need the benefit of more experience and the challenge of legitimate physical peers but with three more high school seasons…the sky is the limit.
