WASHINGTON, D.C.—There seems to be a tendency these days to self-proclaim as the “leader” of this or the “premier” of that among the entities making up the landscape of girls basketball. One reality that can’t be argued is the status of the USJN National Championship in Washington, D.C. No other event has stood the test of time, evolved with the operational and legislative changes or consistently attracted the number and quality of teams and coaches as “D.C.” has.
In its 29th year, the event attracted 344 teams from 29 different states as well as 14 more from two provinces in Canada. Validating the Gold Standard status of the 2015 D.C. National Championship was the 757 college coaches on hand enjoying the competition, quality and convenience that is the hallmark of USJN. For the third consecutive year all of the action was under the big top of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center right in the heart of the nation’s capital. On tap was pool play among 58 groups all looking for the opportunity to advance into Saturday’s championship brackets and the chance claim one of eight division crowns.
For a complete event wrap up follow the link below to the USJN post event page for results, pool all – stars, participating teams, college coaches on hand and more.
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_schools_new.php?which=329
For a visual look, follow the link below to the 2015 “D.C.” Sizzle video courtesy of HCP.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHcbp03lqNM&feature=youtu.be
The high profile Diamond Division featured 48 teams looking for a shot at the ultimate in bragging rights among open tournaments. Seven Nike EYBL teams were on hand including five who qualified for the upcoming action in Augusta. However four teams departed following pool play to accommodate their travel plans creating a wide open battle for the 2015 USJN National Championship title. By the time Saturday afternoon’s semifinals had rolled around the remaining teams represented an East – West line up. In one semi the Colorado Rockies had no trouble with the New England Crusaders moving into the final by way of a 58 – 24 win. The Arizona select earned their ticket the hard way going to overtime before getting by the New Jersey Panthers 72 – 67.
Out of the gate in the final it looked like the overtime action had taken the wind out of the Arizona Select’s sails as they fell behind quickly trailing by double digits the majority of the first half. However, at the break they were looking at a manageable 10 point margin and a chance to keep the Rockies within reach. By the 10:41 mark they had the lead down to five and had tied things up at 36 with 7:56 remaining. Their first lead came just two possessions later and the back and forth was on for the homestretch. It was tied at 41 at the five minute mark and with 2:56 remaining it was knotted up at 43. The Rockies put up the next points and didn’t give up the lead the rest of the way surviving the free throw parade to claim the 51 – 45 win.
The Rockies got contributions from quite a bit of depth on Coach Johnnie Bratton’s roster. As always 2016 point guard Brenna Chase ran the show creating options for both her teammates as well as herself. The 5-8 Chase is at her best in transition and reads the floor as well as any of her peers. On the interior the Rockies got a strong effort from 2017 forward Jasmine Jeffcoat. The 6-2 forward utilizes her agility and ability to run the floor to challenge defenders and force them to work outside of their comfort zones. Probably the most eye catching performance for the Rockies came from 6-1 Nicea Eliely. A 2016 forward, she was consistently making plays and challenging both off the drive and around the rim. Despite her lean build she handles contact well and finished effectively in the paint. Eliely anticipates defensively and elevated for some impressive rebounds throughout the event.
The Arizona Select team is one we’ll be hearing from for some time to come. With just four of nine players in the 2016 class, it’s hard not to be impressed again by the young talent from the Valley of the Sun. Forward Caitlin Bickle made a physical statement in D.C. playing the small forward spot with an aggressiveness her peers could take a lesson from. A 2018 grad, she’s not quite her listed 6-2 but you wouldn’t know it from her productivity. She’s a force off the drive and almost seems to enjoy it when the refs let them mix things up a bit. Bickle works on the glass and sets some bruising screens that would make any teammate happy. We’ve seen what Taylor Chavez can do in the past and once again enjoyed watching where this 5-9 guard is taking her game. Another 2018, she’s active with and without the ball plus knows what she’s looking for off the cut. The range and touch are there to keep defenders honest and as she fills out physically will be a more formidable defender. Like Bickle, 6-0 Mckenzie Forbes takes an aggressive approach to her play. Yet another 2018, she’s got a versatility to her game that allows her to contribute in a multitude of ways. Her embrace of the physical side of the game has her well ahead of others she lines up against.
HIGH PROFILE AND PROMISING TALENT
Joyner Holmes of Cy-Fair continues to make some noise that might see her sitting on top of the class rankings by the summer’s end. The dynamic 6-3 forward has had a great run including some exceptional play in Nashville two weeks back. In D.C. she had her share of moments as well but not with the same consistency that has been on display as of late. Few, if any, in the 2016 class have the combination of size, athleticism and evolving skills that Holmes brings to the table. At her best she can be the most dominant player on the floor and impact the game in a variety of ways. Nike Nationals could be her chance to lay claim to the top rung of the ladder in some people’s eyes.
Maryland commit Blair Watson’s strong play helped propel her New Jersey Panther squad all the way to Saturday afternoon’s semifinals. The 5-11 guard / wing is a challenging match up for defenders. The stroke and range are there plus she leans back in her shot with good elevation making it difficult to even get a hand in her face. At the same time she worked from the high post on occasion and found her way to the rim off several drives. Without the ball she’s a fluid cutter who knows how to set up her opponent and create an option both with and without a screen.
Megan Walker continues to be…well…Megan Walker. The 2017 swing player didn’t shoot it same level as we’ve seen in the past but there’s probably not a player you’d rather have the ball in her hands when you need to get a good look at the rim. Walker is really mixing up her changes of speed and direction and creating even more open looks that the 6-1 usually sees come her way. On the other hand she’s also posting like she was meant to play among the bigs and finding a way to still be productive even on a cold night from the floor.
UConn commit Kyla Irwin is known for the depth of her skills and the versatility of her game. But what may set her apart from the crowd just a bit more might be the effort she puts behind the application of those skills. On both ends of the floor the 6-1 forward is going force her opponent to dig deep or pay a price. She’s running the floor in transition, working hard for the ball in the halfcourt and going to the board even when it isn’t coming her way just to keep the other side sweating. The 2016 grad is never far from the action and makes herself an impact part of the game. A great quality that isn’t always easy to find.
Sayawni Lassiter is fun to watch…unless you’re trying to defend her. The Boston Showstopper’s 2017 guard (who isn’t remotely near her listed 5-11) is an explosive and physical athlete that has the ability to make plays on both sides of the ball. Lassiter can create off the dribble with a wicked use of a hesitation move. In the paint she has the strength to hold her own with rotating bigs and can get herself to the line. The jumper is there to force close outs and her first step comes with a steep price tag. She works hard defensively on the ball but could use a little more focus on the weakside of the floor.
The Philadelphia Belles were 5 – 0 before their departure for Augusta and the play of 5-8 Dominique Toussaint was a big part of that success. The well-established guard can be a factor off the drive or step out and knock it down from 15 feet. She, like many of her Belles teammates, are playing some of their best basketball going into the homestretch of July and may be poised to make some noise down in Augusta. Toussaint remains a rarity as an uncommitted 2016.
Each time we see Eleah Parker of Lady Team Charlotte we’re impressed to a greater degree. The 6-4, 2017 post is playing with more and more confidence each time out. Her obvious size comes with the caveat of agility and the benefit of physical strength. She can hold her ground on the block and elevates to finish around the rim. From the high post she’s good for a one dribble drive but the 15 footer and other mid-range looks are going to need some refinement to force the opposing bigs to follow her up to the elbows.
The Maryland Terps had some impressive performances including a win over Cy-Fair Friday evening. Athletic and assertive forward Kayla Robbins is playing some strong basketball both figuratively and literally. The 6-1 forward is active on both ends and can get on the glass with the best of them. A 2016, Robbins fits the profile of a “true” #4 and can be challenge for bigger defenders who can’t keep up and smaller ones who can’t stop her down low. Her best basketball is well in front of her.
Another player we’re enjoying having the chance to watch evolve in her play is Michigan Crossover point guard Kysre Gondrezick. An established shooter, the 5-9 Gondrezick is distributing the ball and making good decisions in transition and the halfcourt. In fact on a few occasions she passed up some good looks of her own. On the defensive end the effort is obvious and she’s got good vision and anticipation from two passes away. Lots of experience and weapons to call upon.
If Boo Williams Richmond post player Tyra Whitehead can figure a way to keep herself out of foul problems she has the tools to impact any game she’s part of. The senior to be has size, strength, footspeed and even some good hands that are often hard to find in post players. At 6-3 she’s aggressive with the ball and quick off her feet. Whitehead showed a jump hook and a floater as well as some power on the block. The left hand has to evolve to keep defenders from having an easy day forcing her one direction.
It’s hard not to like the play of Emily Espositio of the Maine Firecrackers. A 5-10 guard, Espositio is a promising 2017 who can create her own looks off the dribble and has the body to work effectively off the drive. She has a nice stroke as well as plenty of range to challenge opponent’s willingness to extend. Off penetration she called on a reliable pull up but also showed off some sharp interior passing. Keep watching closely.
Elon has a strong addition in the form of their commitment from Madison Wilder of the Atlanta Cagers. The 5-11 guard is a deceiving match up for defenders and has plenty of game for anyone not digging in and locking her down. She is a master of a change of speed and direction and has solid ballhandling skills despite being somewhat upright off the drive. Wilder can knock it down from deep and has a quick release on her jumper. Makes lots of plays!
Abbie Wolf has plenty of size and the mobility coaches love to see come with it. At 6-4 she has the physical tools to work down on the block but the footspeed and agility to be a factor on the break or in the high post. She flashes into the paint with a quick, long step and reads defenders well on the catch. The strength is not quite there yet but Wolf doesn’t back down. The 2016 post has committed to Northwestern.
Let’s move on to another Abbie…This one being Abby Prohaska from the Cincinnati Angels. The 5-9 guard has been on the radar for a while yet continues to advance and improve her game. A 2018 grad, she’s looking to create her own opportunities more and is aggressive on her penetration to the rim. Prohaska has never been shy about physical play at either end of the floor and will have no trouble lining up against older and more mature competition as time goes by. A well-coached player with a great mentality…one to watch.
