KISSIMMEE, Fla.—If you consider the fact that the NCAA initially certified 172 events for the July evaluation period (11 were subsequently canceled), there are much worse places to start the “summer tour” than Disneyworld and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The AAU slate of Super Showcases has become a calling card in recent years for teams looking to hit the ground running in front of college coaches, evaluators and media. This year 122 teams took part in six different age based showcases over a three day period earlier this week. Teams from over 20 different states were on hand and gave everyone a good look at a few talented older teams as well as a bevy of younger ones just beginning to display their possibilities.
When all was said and done six title games determined top honors following pool and bracket play.
While the 11th Grade Gold Showcase was thinned out in terms of depth this year (Think Nike EYBL) there were still plenty of individual standouts across the various rosters. The Carolina All-Stars went home with bragging rights opening up a tight game with the New Mexico / Texas Heat down the stretch for a 20 point win. Ultra athletic 2015 guard Jade Phillips was impressive in almost all aspects of her game. She was efficient in both transition and the halfcourt scoring off penetration as well as from the perimeter. Highly regarded forward Mone Jones offered up flashes of the game that has her among the senior class elite. Her explosive first step creates drives to the rim against any match up while the elevation on the jumper makes it difficult to defend. Consistency in her attack still needs to evolve which should be bad news for opponents. Kelsi Mahoney provides a versatile combination of size and skills at the forward spot. She’s active and not hesitant to cut or drive into traffic. She created a lot of looks off sheer effort and aggressive cutting. The tone for the All-Stars actually came from the hardnosed, blue collar effort of Salita Greene. A relentless small forward, she out muscled and outworked everyone on the glass and left it all on the floor.
The 10th Grade Gold crown went to an athletic and attacking Pistols Team Elite. Their one point win over the Indy Gym Rats went down to the final possessions with the group from Georgia holding on for the win. Khayla Pointer was a presence in every game attacking with impressive speed and quickness. The 2017 point guard has the ability to create off the dribble using a strong change of speed and direction. Despite limited size she’s a challenge for any defender. Backcourt partner 2016 Zutorya Cook plays with the same intensity and sense of urgency. The interior is anchored by fellow junior Erika Cassell. A solid build and legitimate size at 6-1 gives her a presence that will make her an impact player at the next level as her skill set gains more depth and consistent productivity.
Complete results can be found by following the link below.
http://www.aaugirlsbasketball.org/Results/NationalChampsandSupershowcase.aspx
The sheer number of teams and compact three day schedule made seeing all the teams and talent on hand virtually impossible, but here some of the standouts who caught our attention in Kissimmee.
Faustine Aifuwa – 2016 – 6-4 – Post – Georgia Red Storm – Has the size and build…Lower body strength is there…Had flashes of assertiveness…Tools are there…Consistency needs to come
Jaia Alexander – 2016 – 5-10 – Guard – Physically strong for the backcourt…Has the ability to create…Handles aggressive defense with ease…Shot could use some attention
Shannen Atkinson – 2016 – 6-2 – Forward – Norfolk Xpress – Long, lean and athletic…Runs the floor with the guards…Had some moments…Better if younger but has some possibilities
Amaya Brown – 2017 – 5-8 – Guard – N.M. / Texas Heat – One of the more impressive underclassmen on hand…Athletic and attacking with the ball in her hands…Change of speed extremely effective…Good in traffic…Lots of tools and potential
Maya Caldwell – 2017 – 5-11 – Wing – N.C. Spartans – Wing with length…Impressive body control…Lots of speed…Nice stroke…Lateral speed on defense makes an impact
Mikayla Combs – 2017 – 5-10 – Guard – FBC Team Mo – Athletic guard with lots of speed…Crossover is tough to defend…First step creates separation…Change of speed serves her well…Very reliable pull up to call on
Julia Cunningham – 2018 – 5-9 – Guard – N.J. Demons – Young guard playing up…Solid skills…Lean build…Good concepts and understanding of the game…Watch closely
Rennia Davis – 2017 – 6-0 – Wing – Essence – Still one of the most fluid players in the class…Strong off the dribble with a lengthy first step…Using the pull up more judiciously…Gets her shot off against rotating bigs…Disappeared at times…Consistency will make her the high impact player she has the tools to be
Dana Evans – 2017 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Indy Gym Rats – Ultra quick with and without the ball…Strong creator off the dribble…Pushes it at every opportunity…Has the ability to knock down the perimeter and commands tight close outs…Reads the floor on the break…Assertive on ball defender…Size is ??
Mary Gedaka – 2016 – 6-1 – Forward – Comets – Solid, strong and easily underestimated…Quick to attack on the catch…Efficient around the rim but can step out…Physical play is hardly an issue for her…Surprising ballhandling for her size…Reads defenders…Not to be overlooked
Taylor Geiman – 2019 – 5-10 – Wing / Guard – Maryland Belles – Good size for age…Sharp ballhandling…Can get to the rim…Spot up shot is there…Active…Plenty of promise
Nia Hollie – 2016 – 5-10 – Guard – Minnesota Stars – Athletic guard with lots of tools…Strong off the dribble…Elevates on pull up…Can deliver on the shot or the pass…Mature physical element to her game already…Wants the ball…Major
Kelly Jekot – 2016 – 6-0 – Guard – Comets – Instinctive and skilled guard…Continues to advance her game…Constantly on the attack…Can create shots and passes in transition or in the halfcourt…Deceiving speed with the ball…Still somewhat lean but not an issue as she matures
Daijah Jefferson – 2017 – 6-1 – Wing – Boo Williams – Long, lean and athletic…Wiry build…Slasher…Will get in a stance and defend…Evolving
Kasiyahna Kushkituah – 2017 – 6-3 – Post / Forward – FBC Team Mo – Has the size and build…Confidence is coming…Reads well on the catch in the post…Drop step is long and text book…Has some ballhandling in place…Runs the floor…Looking to attack
Abby Prohaska – 2018 – 5-9 – Guard – Cincinnati’s Finest – Strong and aggressive for her age…Left hander…Assertive with the ball…Very promising future
Jodi Ramil – 2015 – 6-2 – Post/Forward – iEXCEL – Strong and active…Great frame for the college game…Consistent effort at both ends of the floor…Posts up and understands passing angles…Plays with enthusiasm, intensity and confidence
Taya Robinson – 2017 – 5-9 – Guard – Boo Williams – Athleticism is there…Gets into traffic with first step…Floater…Very assertive with the ball…Hard to stop one on one…Left hand needs work
Madison Sims – 2016 – 6-1 – Wing/Forward – iEXCEL – Active and agile…Works hard…Mid-range game is there…Has a touch…Been coached…Lefty
Ja’Tavia Tapley – 2016 – 6-2 – Forward – Essence – Playing with much more authority…Elbow drives come at will…Looking to rebound with more focus…Getting out in transition…Utilizing length on defense more effectively…Will need more depth to her skill set to keep opponents honest
Kate Tokuhara – 2016 – 5-11 – Wing – Cal Sparks – Strong individual skills…Has some range and a good stroke…Made plays…Still determining her potential
Shaquera Wade – 2015 – 5-10 – Guard – Alabama Southern Starz – Destined for the Crimson Tide…Great combination of both athletic and basketball skills…Explosive first step…Pull up is on a dime and elevation offers clean looks…Impact defender with smothering lateral speed
Kourtney Weber – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard – Elevate New Orleans – Athleticism and length in the backcourt…Ballhandling is there…Hesitation serves her well…Shot fake gets defenders out of their stance…Floater has a soft touch…Major potential
Ariyana Williams – 2017 – 5-9 – Guard – Team Carolina – Strong individual skills…Improves passing angles and develops shots…Ballhandling is top shelf but occasionally used too much
Danni Williams – 2015 – 5-10 – Guard – N.M. / Texas Heat – Headed to Texas A&M…Long and lean build…Strong off the dribble…Scores on the pull up or in traffic…Lefty…Gets defenders out of their stance…Shot selection has its moments
Jocelyn Willoughby – 2016 – 6-0 – Wing/Guard – iEXCEL – Physically strong with speed and quickness…Nightmare for defenders…Creates her own looks off the drive or even posting up…Reads and passes well off penetration…Aggressive at both ends…Can line up with the best of them
Jordan Wilmoth – 2016 – 6-2 – Wing / Forward – iEXCEL – Athletic with lots of length…Can create her own at times…Shot needs some attention…Had some moments on defense
