FRANKLIN, Tenn.—In our second report from last week’s Battle in the ‘Boro Prentice Beverly highlights some of the young, upcoming and very talented players on hand. There’s a consensus among recruiters, evaluators and media alike that future is very bright beyond the current rising seniors and juniors. No player is ever a “lock” but there are plenty that sure look like good bets for the big stage when their time comes.
Link to ‘Boro Coverage from July 14th
http://www.bluestarmedia.org/index.php/component/k2/item/516-battle-in-the-boro-2013
It’s always good to watch good perimeter play and Team Penny’s Taylor Barnes of Memphis, Tennessee caught my attention. The 5-8 guard is very athletic and does a great job attacking and creating off the bounce. Barnes finishes at the rim but also has a nice midrange jumper as well as a sweet three point stroke. Barnes responds well to adversity she led a late comeback in one game with multiple treys. She does an excellent job involving her teammates and is a solid on ball defender. Definitely worth watching.
Coming off her experience of playing for Team USA 16U’s, Chassity Carter of Dickson, Tennessee native looked like the prototypical college guard. The 2016 standout is consistently attacking and finishing in traffic as well as dropping dimes to cutting teammates. Carter has excellent command of her dribble plus she attacks with either hand equally. At 6-0 she uses her size and great court vision to her advantage dishing out no look passes. On the other end you can count on lock down defense. Carter has an explosive game with big time potential.
Every college program in the nation is always on the lookout out for a quality big and 6-4 Latrese Saine, who hails from West Memphis, Tennessee, has the chance to be just what they are looking for. Saine, a 2016, has a college body, rebounds the ball at highest point, runs the floor, and finishes well in the paint. She’ll need to further develop her midrange shot and low post face up game but the possibilities are very evident. Saine has the potential to be a dominate force at both ends. Tremendous upside.
It’s very important in the recruitment process for college coaches to pronounce their recruit’s name correctly. Well, good luck pronouncing Kasiyahna Kushkituah. From Austell, Georgia, Kushkituah has a long athletic build, nice wing span, and defends the post as a shot-blocker. At 6-3 she runs floor well and showed plenty of ability to finish in paint. Kushkituah has good hands, and she rebounded well at both ends. As a 2017 Kushkituah needs to add strength and continue to develop offensive skill set. Nice upside. Coaches her nickname is Kassy.
Quickhitters
Avionne Alexander – 2017 – 5-9 Guard – Sunnyvale, Texas – Good handles…Good passer…Three point stroke…Likes to attack and dish to teammates… Solid defense… …Tough with a lot of heart…Must add strength
Dominque Banks – 2017 – 6-4 Post – Forest Park, Ga. – Great length…Runs the floor well…Rebounds… Finishes in the paint but needs to continue to develop low post game…Good defender and shot blocker…Showed ability to match up on the perimeter…Needs to add upper body strength
Tiamaya Butler – 2017 – 5-5 Guard – Atlanta, Ga. – Athletic…Great body…Good handles…Three point stroke…Attacks paint…Finishes well at the rim…Strong defender
Mikayla Coombs – 2017 – 5-9 Guard – Buford, Ga. – Smooth midrange shot…Sweet stroke from beyond the arc as well…Good ball handling skills…Went right and left equally well… Very athletic…Finishes strong in paint.
Taja Cummings – 2017 – 5-3 Point Guard – East Point, Ga. – Solid floor leader…Great job running the offense…Keeps her teammates involved…Solid defender.
Tylia Gillespie – 2017 – 5-10 Guard – Smyrna, Ga. – Very athletic…Long frame…Explosive off the bounce…Great passer with excellent court vision…good handles…solid on ball defender…Needs to add strength.
Bianca Jackson – 2017 – 5-10 Guard – Montgomery, Ala. – Long and athletic…Great court vision…Shoots well from 15-20 feet…Ability to attack the paint…High basketball IQ…Mature calmness…Solid on ball defender
Brooke Moore – 2018 – 5-4 Point Guard – McDonough, Ga. – Handled the ball extremely well…Really smooth hesitation dribble…Made good decisions… Smooth three point stroke…Scrappy player and good on ball defender…Very patient composed…Will only get better with time
Chasity Patterson – 2017 – 5-5 Guard – Houston, Texas – Smooth and athletic…Good handles…Crisp passer…Sees the entire floor…Nice midrange jumper as well a good three point shooter…Pull up off is there as well…Solid defender…Nice upside
Nichel Tampa – 2017 – 5-4 Point Guard – Jonesboro, Ga. – Scrappy at both ends… Makes good decisions…Not afraid to attack…Sets the table for teammates…Excellent passer…Takes care of the ball…Solid defender
A Reminder From Blue Star Media
Please keep in mind that the very limited time frame of this summer’s NCAA evaluation period and the sheer number of teams in many certified events limits our opportunity to see many deserving players. Additionally, please understand that the players we include in our coverage are not always the “best” players on hand or even the best that we saw in action. Obviously many accomplished and high profile athletes are on hand at events we attend that are not mentioned in our coverage. Often we choose players who represent potential and promise at the next level or just happened to catch our eye when we were in the gym. We look forward to seeing all of them in action again somewhere down the road.
