KANSAS CITY, Mo.—In its 10th year the USJN Battle at the Border has evolved into a prime stop for many teams from the heartland. Over the past three years over 9000 teams have competed under the USJN banner and last weekend 140 more competed on 18 different floors in metropolitan Kansas City. Representing eight different states, those teams competed in pool play before moving into Sunday’s championship brackets. While the Division I recruiters are grounded by the NCAA until July, the sidelines were still crawling with over 70 coaches representing virtually every other level of colligate basketball. Blue Star Media was on hand from start to finish as was Blue Star Report and several other major recruiting and media entities.
To see all the participating teams, results, college programs in attendance, pool All-Stars and more, follow the link below to the USJN post event page.
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=313
As always, it’s impossible to “see them all” but here are a few of the standouts in random order that got our attention last weekend.
We’ve always been impressed by talented Colorado Rockies point guard Brenna Chase and her efforts in Kansas City didn’t do anything to lessen her status in our eyes. Her skill set with the ball allows her to create her own looks and improve those of her teammates in transition or out of sets. She sees the floor well on penetration and makes good decisions with the ball as defenses react to her attack. While just 5-9, there is a “length” to her build and some very deceiving athleticism including her vertical. The 2016 Chase reads defenders well and is equally efficient off the cut as she is off the drive. The form and touch are there from the perimeter to necessitate quick, aggressive close outs and the range extends beyond the arch. She anticipates well defensively but will need to add some strength down the road to be able to lock up some of the match ups she’ll be seeing at the next level.
The Iowa Elite had their own backcourt standout in 2018 point guard Keeanna Williams. Like Chase, she has some length to her build and some smooth, fluid athleticism to get the job done. Her ball skills are not flashy but they’re fundamental, effective and allow her to advance the ball against pressure or attack the rim in the halfcourt. Williams’ offensive game is very measured and doesn’t give you that “explosive” or “streaky” result that comes and goes. She’s steady and constant and that’s the kind of thing that keeps coaches sleeping well at night. She’ll need to look for her own scoring opportunities more often to keep opponents honest and limit their opportunities to cheat off on a teammate. Don’t take that to mean that she can’t score. She’s more than capable but tends to set the table more than she keeps it for herself. On ball defensively she’s got good lateral speed and some quick hands to rattle opposing backcourts. We would love to see her playing “up” and challenged more to advance her game.
Inconsistency is the hallmark of most young players and Breanna McBride of the Colorado Crush seems to have embraced that philosophy. However, if her play at times this weekend was an indicator of the things to come, stay tuned. A member of the 2019 class, the 5-10 McBride is currently a “swing” player contributing as a small forward and occasionally on the wing. She’s active and has the physical tools to be a factor regardless of where she might play. An explosive first step gets her past defenders big and small. Her vertical serves her well when the bigs come her way and she’s doesn’t appear shy of taking a hit or two and heading to the line. Her ballhandling was limited to some one and two dribble drives but they provided some glimpses of some very real possibilities down the road. Defensively she has some length to go with her athleticism making her a strong asset in virtually any defensive scheme.
Emily Parker of the Missouri Valley Magic isn’t going to catch your eye when she first walks in the gym but you had better be paying attention once the ball is tipped. Generously listed at 6-1, the 2017 Parker is the kind of player you don’t want to make any assumptions about. Skilled and well coached, she has the tools to create her own scoring opportunities or improve the passing angles and develop an option for a teammate. On the catch she’s much more aggressive and plays with an assertiveness that first looks might not afford her. Parker can post up and finish down low as well as use her body efficiently against bigger defenders. The ability is also there to be a factor from the perimeter and force the opposition to extend themselves beyond their comfort zone. One skill that she puts to use that many players much more experienced than her seem to be oblivious of is the value in active, hard cutting. Simply put, Parker will get from A to B and make you work throughout every possession.
One of the most dynamic backcourt performances over the course of the event was that of Shelbe Piggie of the St. Louis Running Angels. We’ll be honest up front…the 5-4 she’s listed at is on a good day. On the other hand, size really doesn’t matter much if they can’t catch you. The 2016 point guard is faster with the ball in her hands than most other backcourt peers are without it. Her build is physically strong and there’s plenty of explosiveness in the first couple of steps every time she advances the ball. Her ball skills are sharp and the hesitation she puts to use draws even the best defenders out of their stance. Despite her diminutive size she’s a factor in traffic and utilized some strong interior passing to keep her teammates happy. We didn’t really see her shoot the perimeter enough to make an assessment but regardless, a soft close out might be in your best interest!
Some folks think calling a player a “blue collar” worker is a slap in the face. In my book it’s high praise and very fitting for physical forward Brenni Rose of the Eclipse Blue Star team. At 5-11 her build is physical and strong. Even better is her willingness to use it play after play. Ironically her legs are more like those of a distance runner and add some mobility and quickness that will catch a few defenders standing. Rose loves to attack the rim from the high post and utilizes her strength to protect the ball all the way to basket. The left hander is an assertive cutter without the ball and makes some strong, straight line cuts that are tough to defend. She’ll need to become a factor from 15 feet (something we didn’t see but hear that she can call upon) to keep her options open on the catch. A 2016 graduate, she’s well suited for the game at the next level. An early Drake commitment, the transition should be a smooth one when she gets to campus after her senior campaign.
Oklahoma Blue Star has a talented young guard in 2018 Mya Bhinhar. The 5-10 combo played for two teams Sunday seeing significant time and demonstrating some promising play. Visibly it’s obvious that she’s young physically but her play is showing some maturity already. At the point she’s pushing the ball at opportunity off makes, misses and turnovers. During one stretch she made some good choices in slowing the pace down and attacking a zone more patiently. Bhinhar uses a change of speed and direction well and knows the value of accelerating out of any move that she makes on the break or off the drive. She also offered up several passes on penetration that were good choices and well delivered. Lots of promise is in place, keep watching.
The Colorado Rockies have lots of options to call upon and 6-1 Nicea Eliely is a good number to call. Long, lean and very athletic, there’s versatility to her game that makes her value top shelf. Even better is the fact that she still appears to evolving making her future as bright as she might want it to be. On the offensive end she’s in constant motion with and without the ball. She can put it on the floor and has a lengthy first step that will challenge defenders big and small. Once she’s in the neighborhood she can get up to finish among the bigs and find a cleaner look at the rim. In transition the guards love her because they know she’s going to get out in the lanes and provide them options. Defensively she’s got the golden combination of length, wingspan and lateral footspeed. Play her anywhere in fullcourt situations and you’re going to get results. It’s not really about what she is right now but what she might become down the road.
Ashley Ray is one of those players you look at and see the possibilities. Did she post 20 points and grab 20 boards? No and the 6-3 2017 post didn’t dominate games from start to finish either. However, evaluation is not about what she can do right now. It’s not always easy to project an athlete’s possibilities when you don’t know their work ethic or love of the game. Ray is impressive physically and has the size and build well suited for basketball at the next level. Her frame and strength allow her to post up aggressively and hold her ground when the pushing and shoving starts. She appears conscious of the options she’s looking for and makes herself a target off cuts and rolls from ball screens. Ray could be getting more touches but continues to work regardless. On the catch she rushes things at times but seems to have good concepts given the opportunity. One game she offered up some sharp mid post passing and even created her own look off the drive with a deceiving first step. It should be interesting to see where her game is come August.
QUICKHITTERS
Kierra Collier – 2017 – 5-6 – Point – Eclipse Blue Star – Lean, quick point guard…Lefty…Lots of speed with the ball…Jumper is there…Overdribbles at times
Courtney Cook – 2016 – 6-3 – Post – Team Xpress – More solid build…Has some moves on the block…Strong…Speed is a ???
Catie Eck – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard – Illinois Predators – Long guard with solid ballhandling…Crossover is there…Accelerates off her moves…Interior passing is sharp…Physical strength is ??
Jada Ford – 2016 – 5-9 – Guard –Blue Star Oklahoma And 1 – Athletic guard…Smooth stroke…Quick release…Shot selection??
Tristan Gregg – 2018 – 5-7 – Guard – Eclipse Red – Spot up shooter…Quick release…Active…Sees the floor and passes well
Breon Gunnels – 2017 – 5-11 – Wing – Della Lamb Running Angels – Athlete…Quick first step on both ends…Makes plays…Evolving position
Abby Hipp – 2017 – 6-2 – Post – KC Hoopsters – Good size with solid build…Plays with sharp instincts…Post moves are there…Has been well coached
Jasmine Jeffcoat – 2017 – 6-2 – Forward – Colorado Rockies – Active and athletic…Plays with maximum effort…Quick in her attack…Protects the ball well…Step through and jump hook are both there
Michaela Onyenwere – 2017 – 6-0 – Forward – Colorado Lady Hawks – Explosive athlete…Long, lean build…Versatile skills…Finishes in traffic…Gets off the floor
Angela Perry – 2017 – 6-3 – Post – Illinois Predators – Size with solid build…Moves well…Finishes well in traffic…Creates her looks with strong post moves
Dee Dee Pryor – 2019 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Iowa Elite – Quick, young point guard…Lots of speed with the ball…Decent form but narrow base…Tools
Lauren Ritcher – 2017 – 6-0 – Forward – Blue Star Oklahoma – Some size…Broad frame…Plays physical at times…Good effort…Cuts hard
Chandler Ryan – 2016 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Ball Handling and passing…Reads the floor…Confident jumper…Floater…Competitor
Monique Terry – 2016 – 6-2 – Forward – Team Xpress – Size and build…Will get on the floor…Needs to be more physical…Developing
Jana Van Gytenbeek – 2020 – 5-6 – Point – CBC Elite – True point guard…Ball skills are there with both hands…Understands the game and defenses…Deceptive with her passes…Set up everything…Lots of promise
Leilah Vigil – 2018 – 5-9 – Forward – CBC Elite – Aggressive small forward…Strong physically…Good moves on the block…Perimeter is in her future
Autumn Watts – 2019 – 6-0 – Forward – CBC Elite – Athletic young forward…Solid build…Runs the floor with lots of effort…Jump hook is there…Agile and fluid
CHAMPIONSHIP SMILES
