CONCORD, N.C. – The 2019 travel season brought a new setting for the Apache Paschall Memorial Showcase, which welcomed more than 100 teams to suburban Charlotte for the latest April rendition. The tournament, held each year in honor of the long time girls basketball coach, has been on our to do list the past few years and once again Blue Star Media was on hand to get an early season look at some promising talent. There were plenty of highly contested match ups in each age bracket and, no doubt, the competitive spirit of Apache himself was reflected in the competition all weekend long.

Here are some of the standouts of note from last weekend in the Queen City.

Faith Blackstone -2020 – 6-0 – Guard – Triangle Lady Knights -Elusive and explosive attack…Hangs in the air to finish…Pulls up for three behind ball screens…Plays stronger than her build indicates…Dangerous player with the ball

Gianni Boone – 2022 – 5-10 – Guard/Forward – Team SOL 16U – At her best when she plays aggressive and decisive on both sides…Good ball skills overall…Gaining experience that is paying off…Effective scorer inside versus smaller players…Nice runner off the bounce from time to time

Kiara Croskey – 2024 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Team Felton 2024 National – Made plays on defense early and often…Long arms led to steals…Pushes tempo…Knows when to dish it off when help comes…Nice O boards and put backs

Kristy Hamze – 2020 – 5-9 – Point Guard/Guard – Team Loaded 2020 Davis – Playing some point with this group…Made plays as a lead guard…Distributed well both in the flow of the offense and on the attack…Gets into triple threat…Fun to watch

Rejon Hawkins – 2020 – 5-9 – Guard – Team Loaded 2020 Davis – Improved the three point shot…Showed off some quick ups…Does a lot of the basics consistently…Played hard throughout games…Growth as a player is evident

Kymora Johnson – 2023 – 5-6 – Guard – Team Loaded 2023 Edmonds – Displayed the ability to draw lots of contact…Can finish in the process for the and one…Brings good energy to the game…Gets her looks from beyond the arc but isn’t settling

Caitlyn Jones – 2025 – 5-3 – Point Guard – Team Felton 2024 National – Good with the ball in tight spaces…Showing that “next gear”…Doesn’t panic against ball pressure…Noticeable burst

Morgan Kelson – 2020 – 5-11 – Forward – 1 Dream Blue 17U – Active, undersized face up player inside…Will take the 12-15ft jumper…Finished in the paint at a good rate

Kylie Lewis – 2022 – 5-9 – Guard – Lady Attack 2022 – Nice frame on the wing to go along with a shooter’s mentality…Doesn’t hesitate to let it go from deep…Has some skills to build on

Trinity Mathis – 2023 – 5-9 – Guard/Forward – Carolina Flames 8th Grade – Has a bit of that bully build and mentality…Went coast to coast on her own…Runs the floor well…OK finisher at this point

Grace Pack – 2022 -6-3 – Post – Team Loaded 2021 Davis – Size and mobility catches your eye…Has some understanding of what to do…Starting to carry over skill work into live games…Headed in a good direction

Makenzie Paul – 2022 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Georgia Metros 2022 – Athletically gifted lefty…Brings some flare to the floor…Sharp handles and play-making ability right now…Should continue to evolve

Lillian Phillips – 2021 – 5-7 – Guard – NC Gems – Unconventional at times…Flashed ability to score the ball in some different ways…Uses here size and mature build well…Can fend off ball pressure…Hidden gem with some potential

Jael Poole – 2023 – 5-4 – Point Guard/Guard – Team United 14U – Tends to just make things happen when she has the ball…Sets the tone…Hustle player…Scores off the bounce…Needs her jumper to be more of a weapon as she matures

Hannah Russell – 2020 – 6-2 – Post – Carolina Waves Central – Big, strong player…Isn’t afraid to throw her weight around a little bit…Chin and checks it on rebounds…Vocal on defense…Has been coached on the basics for her position

Ciarra Sims – 2022 – 5-11 – Forward – Triangle Lady Knights – Lots of athleticism…Undersized face four…Good ups and a motor to work with

Damaya Smart – 2023 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Team SOL 8th Grade – Shifty with the ball…Can change gears in a flash…Gets out and plays in transition…Handled full court pressure well…Decision making skills are a plus…Limited turnovers

Aylesha Wade – 2021 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Team Loaded NC – Quick acceleration to the rim…Favors the right hand…Have to guard her at the three point line as well…Made some nice finesse passes…Gets on the floor to fight for loose balls…Hard to keep her in front…Not a fully polished player…yet!

Jamia Woolfolk – 2024 – 6-0 – Forward – Team Loaded 2023 Edmonds – Impressive size and build for her age…Runs around trying to make plays…Good footwork and finishing…Snatched some rebounds right out of the air…Effective playing the back of the press

Christiana Young – 2023 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Team Felton 2023 – Strong, decisive lead guard who can power past defenders…Gets up the three ball with ease…Impressive hops for a guard…With continued work could be a force in high school next season