FAIRFAX, Va.– Paul VI Head Coach Scott Allen once again put together another top-notch event to kick off the December High School tournament scene. Entitled the Art Turner Tipoff, the tournament is a memorial to his war hero, sports fan and father-in law. The D.C. area’s top teams were all-present and the line up also featured one of Pennsylvania’s best in Neumann-Goretti as well as N.J. top tier contender Life Center.
It’s important to share a sidebar on Coach Allen before we move on. Prior to his team taking on Philadelphia powerhouse Neumann-Goretti he demonstrated just how much he cares about the growth of the game beyond just wins and losses. Felicia Aiyeoton, a 6’9 junior center from Goretti, threw down a dunk in warm-ups causing a frenzy in the crowd and cell phones cameras to be rolling. An official immediately approached the Goretti bench to assess a technical for the dunk only to have Allen step in to negate the call while defending an opponent who brought excitement and fans to the gym. Classy move coach.
Our time was limited to one day so evaluations come from just those we saw in action on Saturday and are listed alphabetically. However, we still want to thank our hosts for the hospitality provided to the college recruiters, evaluators and media members on hand throughout the event.
Felicia Aiyeotan (6’9 – 2016 – Post – Neumann-Goretti) – Will be one of the country’s top recruits in 2016…Still very raw…Extensive improvement since last year…Warm-up sensation with her easy dunks…Given time she will be a force at the next level
Niya Beverly (5’7 – 2017 – Guard – St. Johns) – Fast and athletic player…Can disrupt the opposition’s offense…Plays hard and attacks the ball…Definitely one to watch
Taja Cole (5’7 – 2015 – PG – LC Bird) – Electrifying future Louisville Cardinal…Super-fast with the ball…Tough match up for anyone…Plays hard…Can score from anywhere on the court…Easy to see why Coach Walz is pleased
Amira Collins (6’3 – 2018 – Forward – St. Johns) – Rare skilled freshman with size…Plays with her face to the basket…Has range out to three ball land…Runs the court well…High basketball IQ…Will be at the top of many BCS’s schools 2018 wish list
Ciani Cryor (5’5 – 2015 – PG – Neumann-Goretti) – Controls the game from the point position…Teammates look for her on every rebound…If she can avoid foul trouble, (she has a tendency to reach too much) N-G has the ability to run the table this year with a minimum of eight D-I prospects on the roster
Jada Graves (5’9 – 2017 – Guard – Edison) – Put on a show Saturday…Led her team back from a 17 point deficit against Spring-Ford…Great size for a guard…Showed three point range as well as the ability to attack the basket…Gets touches and converts on defense…Plays with lots of emotion
Honesty Grayson (5’9 – 2018 – Guard – Riverdale Baptist) – Smooth, athletic…Can play both the point or two guard with equal ability…Legitimately one of the country’s top freshman…High IQ…Great handle…Form on her shot and court awareness make her a pleasure to watch
Raven James (2016 – 5’4 – PG – Paul VI) – Smart athletic player…Gets everyone involved…Knows how to take control when her team needs buckets…Has been playing with and against top players for years both in HS and on the summer circuit…Villanova recruit
Sydney Jordan (6’0 – 2015 – Post -Stonewall Jackson) – Athletic post …Pounds the boards…Runs the court very well…Signed with Princeton…Talent and athleticism will give the Ivy League fits
Cara Judkins (6’2 – 2017 – post- Our Lady of Good Counsel) – Great frame…Tough inside player…Rebounds well and will battle you
Kate Klimkiewicz (5’11 – 2018 – Paul VI) – Fearless for a freshman…Capable scorer and defender…Plays a very smart team game…Showed the ability to mix it up and rebound…Competed with the huge Neumann-Goretti front line
Lena Niang (6’2 – 2015 – Riverdale Baptist) – Has come a long way the last two years…Athleticism now combines that with versatility on the offensive end…A presence on the defensive end…North Carolina State recruit
Michelle Nicholls (6’0 – 2016- Life Center) – New Zealand national team player…Plays with a veteran’s calmness…Leaders mentality…Strong build…Accurate shot from three point range
Genesis Parker (5’8 – 2016 – PG – Stonewall Jackson) – Physically strong guard…Can really score…Pushes the ball well…Attacks the basket with authority
Lindsey Pulliam (5’10 – 2017- guard – Our Lady of Good Counsel) – Great size and court awareness at her age…Possesses a big time pull up jumper…Quick release even while closely guarded
Tera Reed (6’1 – 2017- Life Center) – Also New Zealand national team player…Outstanding length…Guard skills…Nice shooting touch…Needs to be more aggressive on the offensive end…Seems to defer teammates yet may be team’s top all-around player
AJ Timbers (5’11 – 2015 – Neumann-Goretti) – Long and athletic…Shooter with deep range…Shows no fear offensively…Loves the up-tempo style of N-G… Towson recruit
Danielle Tunstall (6’0 – 2016 – Life Center) – Strong player…Provides a lot of the little things that help teams win…Not flashy but very efficient on both ends of the court…Rebounds…Defends…Unselfish game
Jasmine Whitney (5’9 – 2016 – Paul VI) – Strong physical specimen…Plays at a high level…Does everything well…Once she develops an “edge” on the court, watch out
