Deep South Classic Beverly’s Baker’s Dozen

RALEIGH, N.C. –The 2014 Deep South Classic had 328 teams from across the nation.  Held in the Raleigh Convention Center, 20 courts played host to teams representing almost half of our 50 states in front of over 500 college coaches.  Several highly regarded prospects along with and a few new faces put their best foot forward in front of a large contingent of college coaches.  Here are the players that stood out above the rest.

Shay Colley (Brampton, Ontario) Brampton Warriors 17U: The five foot eight, a member of the Canada Women’s Junior team, is a true point guard with a college ready frame, played extremely well.  Colley playing in her first exposure event since 8^th grade had her entire repertoire on display.  Although she has taken visits to several DI schools Colley remains unsigned. But after this past weekend she caught the attention of several ACC and SEC programs. Colley used a killer crossover coupled with her explosive first step to attack the paint looking to score or dish to slashing teammates.  She is a real floor general and can and will be make all the right passes.  Colley used her speed and quickness to create havoc at both ends of the floor with in your face on ball defense. She also showed that she can consistently stroke the midrange jumper as well as be a threat from beyond the arc.  Colley also demonstrated the ability to translate her speed and athleticism into dividends on the defensive end by forcing turnovers and cashing in on the ensuing possession.  Look for her to come off the board fairly soon.

Jocelyn Willoughby (East Orange, NJ.) NYC IExcel 17U: Willoughby a 6-0 forward played extremely well showing that she has an all-round game she can attack from the wing or be a low post presence at both ends of the floor.  Willoughby has a really strong interior game which is a nice blend of athleticism and power. She also showed that she has a nice face up attack with an effective midrange jumper that extends out to the 3pt line.  The rebounding is there and with the ability to put the ball on the floor she does a great job initiating the fast break. Willoughby has a WNBA body with major DI talent and will be  a force to be reckoned with in the Class of 2016.  

Jasmine Walker (Montgomery, AL) Al Southern Starz Hooks 15U: This time last year at the Deep South the player that created the most buzz was South Carolina signee 6-5 guard A’ja Wilson.  Although there were several top notch players in attendance, the one player that had coaches and fans wooing the time around was 2016 6-3 forward Jasmine Walker.  She showed that she can score from anywhere on the floor. Walker played like a young lady on a mission, grabbing rebounds going coast to coast and finishing at the rim or pulling up for the smooth jumper.  If the need arises she can work down on the block but still face up and attack or take bigger defenders out to the perimeter and make them pay.  Double teams are seldom an issue with her ability to see over and pass out of the trap.  Walker showed the knack for making the big shot.  She showed the capacity to effectively defend in the low post blocking shots as well as defend on the perimeter. Simply put Walker was the star among stars. Walker has an all-around game and all the tools but must continue to work at being a force on the glass and take advantage mismatches. In a game where there is no such thing as a sure thing, the one certainty is that Walker’s stock is definitely on the rise and should be considered among the best.

Channise Lewis (Miami Gardens, FL) Below the Rim 17U: This 5-8 crafty 2017 guard from played extremely well.  Lewis has nice frame long arms and is a good athlete. She used a killer crossover coupled with her explosive first step to attack the paint looking to score or dish to slashing teammates.  Lewis used her speed and quickness to create space to get off her shot in traffic. She also showed that she can consistently stroke the midrange jumper and knocked down multiple shots from beyond the arc.  Lewis showed the ability to translate her speed and athleticism to be a lockdown defender. She’s definitely a guard on the rise and with continued development has a chance to play at a high level. 

Nicole Ekhomu (Bollingbrook, IL) Bollingbrook Panthers 17U: Nicole Ekhomu, 2016 5-9 guard, has a college ready game she plays the game with an unbridled aggression.  Ekhomu was constantly on the attack and did so in a variety of ways.  She rebounded well and then proceeded to be a one man fast break putting the defense on it’s heels by going coast to coast on several occasions.  When she wasn’t pushing the ball up the court Ekhomu was running the floor like a world class sprinter.  In the half court the rising junior was attacking off the dribble and finishing at the rack. She showed that she has a nice midrange jump shot to go along with an effective pull up jumper as well.  Ekhomu made a living getting into the lane to create contact and finish in the paint. Defensively, the ability is there to locking down opposing guards creating havoc all over the floor.  As good as Ekhomu was on the offensive end I was extremely impressed with her defensive prowess.  Ekhomu game is an excellent blend of explosiveness and finesse that should earn her consideration among Top 25 in the class.

Kayla Williams (Memphis, TN) Team Penny 2016 16U: The athletic 6-1 2016 wing, played stellar all-around game.  Williams likes to attack off the dribble with either hand looking to create contact and finish in traffic. She also showed the willingness to manufacturer her shot by attacking off the bounce yet still consistently draining the spot up jumper as well as fill it up from behind the 3pt arc. Williams used her long arms to rebound well at both ends of the floor and her long athletic frame and quickness helped her play solid defensively.  Williams played aggressive at both ends of the court and has a knack for being around the ball. I really like Williams’ game she has all the tools to be high major prospect.

Eleah Parker (Charlotte, NC) Team Charlotte 17U: I’m always on the lookout for as the coaches’ say “Bigs” and 6-3 Eleah Parker fits the bill. Parker drew my attention as I was passing by to catch another game but her size and athleticism caught my eye.  Parker banged and battled the entire game dominating at both ends.  I was impressed with her toughness. Parker has a solid frame and long arms and didn’t shy away from contact.  In fact, she looked for it. Parker finished well in the paint and rebounded effectively.  She defended efficiently in the post as well.  Parker has a nice touch near the rim, as well as a reliable face up game with an effective midrange jumper.  She also showed the ability to attack of the bounce. Parker reminds me of a young Devereaux Peters former Notre star and current Minnesota Lynx player. Parker will only get better with time; she should be highly touted 2017 recruit.

Delicia Washington (Macclenny, FL) FGB 2016 15U: It’s always enjoyable to watch versatile prospects put on a show and 2016 5-11 guard-forward Delicia Washington did just that. Washington displayed the ability to attack off the bounce as well as hit the spot on jumper. Her attack attack style compliments her spot up game. Washington has a nice stroke that extends out beyond the three point arc. She rebounds extremely well and is a solid defender that loves to trap and jump the passing lanes. Washington flat out gets it done at both ends.  She is a definite Top 25 caliber prospect.

Eternati Willock (Scarborough, Ontario) Scarborough Blues 16U: Eternati Willock, an athletic 6-3 Canadian born prospect, had a pretty good showing garnering the attention of a multitude of coaches. Willock has long arms with an athletic build, ran the floor extremely well and was active at both ends of the floor.  She rebounded well, often grabbing the ball at the highest point. Offensively, she has a nice low post game which includes a nice jump hook. Willock has as smooth face game as well.  Defensively, Willock patrolled the paint blocking shots and altering others.  With continue development on her overall game Willock will be a solid high major DI prospect in the class of 2015.

Zipporah Broughton (Wetumpka, AL) AL Southern Starz 2018 Elite: At 5-7, Zipporah Broughton is a feisty and crafty point guard that does all the intangibles that coaches love.  She stroked multiple treys and finished well off the break.  Broughton also attacked the rim and either produced in the paint or dropped dimes to her teammates.  She also displayed a nice mid-range touch.  Defensively, she aggressively defended the opponents point guard forcing them into multiple turnovers.  Broughton likes the physical aspects of the game and uses them to her advantage.  Simply put, she finds a way to make plays to help her team win.  Broughton is an all-around player with a knack for making big plays.  The incoming freshman has a tremendous future. Keep eyes on.

Cymone Goodrich (Chicago, IL) IL X-Citement 17U: The 2017 5-10 Cymone Goodrich game resembles that of Chicago Bull star Derrick Rose. Goodrich is a smooth point guard that played extremely well all weekend.  She had her entire repertoire on display.  Goodrich used a killer crossover coupled with her explosive first step to attack the paint looking to score or dish to her slashing teammates.  Goodrich used her speed and quickness to get out and finish off the break while weaving in and out of traffic handling the rock equally well with both hands.  She also showed that she can consistently stroke the midrange jumper as well as be a threat from beyond the arc.  Goodrich demonstrated the ability to translate her speed and athleticism into spelling out trouble for opposing offenses forcing turnovers and converting to buckets on the other end.  She’s definitely a point guard on the rise and with continued development has a chance to be special. 

Mone Jones (Durham, NC) Carolina AllStars:.  Jones is no secret and has been on the recruiting radar for some time now and continues to evolve as a prospect that should have more than her share of top tier choices when she decides on her colligate future.  Jones the 2015 prospect standing 6-2 with a lean and athletic build she has the physical tools to make an impact at the highest level.  There’s plenty of agility and quickness to go with that size and it makes her a difficult match up.  She’s active without the ball and on the catch is quick to attack the rim.  She can create her own from the elbow or short corners and showed a comfort and touch out to 10 or 12 feet.  Defensively she’s a presence with both her size and quickness on rotations from the weak side of the floor.  She will have to add strength at the next level.

Tynice Martin (Decatur, GA) WP Celtics: Martin, the 5-10 prospect is a very athletic wing with explosive leaping ability and she plays with a ton of energy. She has a high motor at both ends of the floor.  Martin attacks the paint with her dribble drive with reckless abandon.  She is a tenacious defender and attacks the defensive boards with the same vigor that you see on the offensive end.  Martin has a serviceable shot that extends out to 15 feet. Martin’s skill set has begun to catch up with her athleticism and the sky is the limit for this Top 40 2015 prospect.