FAIRFAX, Va.– It’s a chilly Friday night in the shadows of Washington, D.C.,  and the hundreds of fans packing the Paul VI Catholic High School gymnasium rise as a United States Marine commands their attention. He proceeds to play one of the most beautiful violin renditions of the National Anthem you’ll ever hear, and the crowd goes wild.

This wasn’t the last time the crowd went crazy at the 2016 Art Turner Memorial Tip Off, as the action on the court was plentiful all weekend as some of the top high school programs in the country tested each other again and again. Paul VI Head Coach Scott Allen hosts the event in honor of his grandfather, a World War II Veteran, and it does him justice. The spirit of Art Turner is matched with spirited play on the court, as the event offers college coaches one of those unique opportunities to see match ups of some of the best teams and best players lining up against each other.

For more information on the event and this year’s attendees and game by game results, follow the link below.

http://www.artturnertipoff.com/

This year’s edition featured some big time seniors who we’ve followed for years, but this weekend we also got to see some young players begin to make a name for themselves with the dawn of their high school varsity careers. Some of the most memorable performances of the weekend came from freshman and sophomores who are well on their way to bright futures.

At the end of the day, you have to respect great high school basketball teams willing step out of their regions to challenge themselves against top tier competition. There were plenty of prospects in the gym including ACC, Big 10 and other Power Five prospects that had great weekends.  While we would like to include them all, the 2016 Art Turner Memorial was one for the memory books and we’ll have to limit ourselves to the standouts below this time around.

Zenzele Apesemaka-Vital – 2018 – 5-7 – PG/G – Bishop McNamara — Defense created offense for her in this game… Forced turnovers in the press… Quick and athletic… Gets to rim and creative with the finishes…Really glides through the air…Scored the basketball

Randi Baldwin – 2020 – 5-11 – F – Elizabeth Seton — Young, athletic forward…Will come off the bench for Coach Scruggs this season…Has the physical tools to be a centerpiece of the program moving forward

Rachel Balzer – 2020 – 5-10 – G – Germantown Academy — Hit multiple threes before going down with an injury in the third quarter… A difference maker with the ball in her hands for this team…Threw a couple beautiful long touchdown passes in transition

Niya Beverley –2017 – 5-7 – PG – St. John’s College — PG with a good handle…Weaves through traffic to get to rim…Likes the Euro…Draws contact in the process…Has great court vision and knows when to throw a lob pass to her posts…Good deny defender…Uncommitted

Lilly Bolen – 2017 – 5-11 – F – Germantown Academy — Had a nice game Sunday… Aggressive and strong forward who throws some nice, zippy passes…Can handle the ball some…Shot the three once or twice…Powers through contact to finish inside

Jakia Brown-Turner – 2019 – 6-0 – F – Bishop McNamara — Athletic forward…Lefty, nice stroke for her position… Shot the three in this game… Plays tough overall…Nice player with a lot of potentiai…Known name in the DC area already

Janai Brown – 2019 – 5-9 – G – Elizabeth Seton — Long, athletic wing who has the chance to be an impact player in the near future… Shot the three a little bit…Cut from the same mold of some of her senior counterparts

Jackie Carman – 2018 – 5-8 – PG/G – Hathaway Brown — Lefty with a nice and easy three point stroke…Can already step behind the screen or dribble handle off to get off a nice, fluid three ball…Questionable decision making led to some turnovers…Likely better suited to play off the ball at the next level

Jaylin Carodine – 2018 – 5-9 – G – St. John’s College — Stocky, strong build…Speedy and physical with the ball in her hands…Has that bully build and mentality…Hustles when she’s on the court…Forcing a lot of turnovers and diving out of bounds to save loose balls…Hit the three, but wants to get to the cup

Aniya Carpenter – 2018 – 5-8 – G – Roland Park — Long-armed wing…Looks the part… Had nine points in the first half against Paul VI Sunday…Has mid-range jumper and a three ball…Plenty of interest

Nia Clouden – 2018 – 5-9 – PG/G –St. Frances – A bit of a slow start early on in their game against Sanford, woke up a little in the second…Showed who she can be when playing at her best, especially in terms of a distributor…Set up her teammates and had countless assists, something…Finished with 15 points to go along with those assists

Amira Collins – 2018 – 6-3 – F – Paul VI – Highly regarded four player who rim runs and also shoots the three…Good motor, length and athleticism to play the top spot on the press…Plays with a lot of emotion…Had a huge game Friday night that saw her score inside and outside

Kai Crutchfield – 2017 – 5-9 – PG/G – Millbrook — NC State signee…Competes…Got after it on D and made plays on both sides of the ball…Elevates on the pull up jumper…Can hit the three off the bounce consistently

AJ Davis – 2019 – 6-0 – F – McDonogh — Athletic with a strong build…Moves well without the ball and finishes at the rim…Boarded well… Can hit the three if it’s there…Has a little bully in her…Played a nice game

Mia Davis – 2017 – 6-0 – F – St. Frances — Temple signee scored 25 points in a great battle Sunday against a young but game Sanford team…Knows what to do with the ball when she gets it inside…Helped lead her team to a very nice win on a neutral court

Khadija Demry – 2019 – 5-6 – PG – Christ the King — Young PG off the bench…Made a noticeable difference helping them break pressure and get into the offense…Nice handles and a cool head… Was able to split the defenders at times…Makes some good decisions for a sophomore

Andra Espinoza-Hunter – 2017 – 6-0 – G – Ossining – Strong weekend… With the injury to super sophomore Aubrey Griffin, magnifies role…Scored 41 points Saturday, 49 on Sunday…Scored in all ways at all levels…Smart enough to read the ball screen and know when to shoot vs. when to drive…Posted on smaller defenders as well…Poised, cool, and focused

Justice Ethridge – 2018 – 5-8 – G – Centennial — Playmaker on both sides of the ball…Has speed and athleticism to get out in the passing lanes or get to the basket…Not a shy offensive player…Can hit the three ball…Could be more consistent working on her feet and follow through consistency

Ryann Evans – 2019 – 5-10 – G/F – Archbishop Spalding — Smart player, primarily on the wing…Can drive the ball a little bit…Has some tools and a couple years ahead of her to develop

Brianna Forbes – 2019 – 5-8 – G – Good Counsel — Spunky young guard…Shot the three and plays with good intensity… Productive as a shooter…Hit some tough, contested shots against a high level of competition

Aurea Gingras – 2020 – 5-8 – PG – Paul VI — Freshman point guard with a very bright future… Earned “She’s a freshman” chants from the home crowd this weekend…Very good handles…Doesn’t waste dribbles… Gets to the basket and finishes with both hands…Smart player beyond her years… Has the confidence of her coach…Produce against elite competition

Mercy Gonzalez – 2018 – 6-0 – G – Ferguson — Legit six foot tall wing with a nice three point shot…Plays tough and gritty…Would have liked to see her take more shots at times…Nice prospect

Rain Green – 2020 – 5’6 – PG/G – Roland Park – Established and poised point guard who plays beyond her years at times…Good on and off ball defense stood out this weekend…Worked to deny her player…Keeps her feet and head moving

Madison Hardy – 2018 – 5-8 – G – Good Counsel – College build on the wing…Nice stroke from three…Can shoot it from deep off the bounce…Knocked down contested treys… Not shy…Plays with confidence

Hanna Harlor – 2018 – 5-10 – G – Hathaway Brown — Shooter…Hit three from deep…Follow through is a little awkward but effective…All right hand dribble…Needs to add left hand and improve ball handling to cut turnovers and improve her stock…Opponents took advantage of this

Kailah Harris – 2019 – 6-1 – F/C – Ossining — Showed improvement offensively this weekend…Big kid who runs the floor…Showed good hands and finishing ability…Athletic enough to pressure weak ball handlers and come away with the steal for a transition bucket… Showed a great motor, particularly on defense

Ja’Niah Henson – 2019 – 5-3 – PG – Roland Park — Small point guard with a big bite mentality that will catch your eye…Has the handles, decision-making, and jumper off the bounce…Size is her top area of concern, but an exciting young player

Morgan Jacobs – 2017 – 5-8 – G – McDonogh — Smooth mid-range game…Can also hit the three…Showed no lingering effects from recent injury

Charlotte Jewell – 2020 – 5-7 – PG – Thomas Edison — Plays with great poise…Gritty floor general who scores and sets up her teammates…Shoots the three but shot is still developing as she grows up and gets stronger

Kate Klimkiewicz – 2018 – 6-1 – G – Paul VI — Shooter…Big guard who shoots it with confidence and without much reaction or change in approach, make or miss, just locked in…Long stride and long arms…Showed ability to shot fake and go past defenders…Got some buckets in transition…Scored in waves at times

Deja King – 2017 – 5-7 – PG/G – Life Center — LaSalle signee…Has the handles and quicks to match her aggressive mentality…Got multiple steals in each game…Can be an impact defender…Missed some lay ups that were due to body control issues

Liatu King – 2020 – 5-10 – F – Bishop McNamara — Athletic young forward…Leaper and shot blocker already…Gets up…Bright future starting as a freshman on a good team

Sheslanie Laureano – 2018—5-10 – G – Ferguson — Long wing guard…Plays hard, nice passer, and shoots the three

Kaydan Lawson –2020 – 5-10 – G/F – Hathaway Brown — Athletic wing/forward…Has some handles and a nice build…Revs the engine and teases you wanting to see her take off…Will likely only be a matter of time

Imani Lewis – 2018 – 6’1 – F/C – Life Center — Left handed…Big kid who can handle and shoot the three…Strong driver…Sprinted the floor for a huge block and then showed the excitement you love to see from big time players…Vocal player with great intangibles…Can rebound and go coast to coast on teams with ease

Natalija Marshall – 2020 – 6-4 –F – Christ the King — Long, lanky face up forward…15 foot catch and shoot range…At times played very poised for a freshman… Face up game is evolving…Beginning to face up and shoot or drive to the rim…Facing older, stronger, faster competition served her well…Established prospect already

Mir McLean – 2020 – 5-10 – F – Roland Park — One of the most impressive performances of the weekend…18 boards in one game…Explosive leaper, gets up around the rim… Offensively showed the ability to finish…Right hand oriented…Faces up and attacks against slower opponents…Didn’t back down in match up against older, talented opposition

Carole Miller – 2019 – 6-0 – G/F – Thomas Edison — Lanky wing forward who can handle the ball…Three point range…Has college look and build…Effective moving without the ball, running the floor and rolling to the basket… At times a bit of a mixed bag on offense…Another gear in there waiting to be discovered

Ellie Mitchell – 2019 – 5-11 – G – Georgetown Visitation — Long arms…Handles it ok…Tends to favor her right hand…Likes to drive to the basket…Has a nice jump stop, step through move to finish…Size, length, and ability to drive are the big appeal so far

Aleah Nelson – 2019 – 5-7 – PG – McDonogh — Sparkplug PG who flies all over the place on defense…Will hit the boards for a smaller guard…Has some serious ups…Scored a tip drill put back on a fast break lay up

Ashley Owusu – 2019 – 5-11 – G – Paul VI – Elite skills and strength…Makes huge plays at the highest level…Rebounds and pushes it…Finds the open runner and makes a strong, pinpoint pass ahead… Has the “refuse to lose” competitive edge that sets apart elite prospects…Doesn’t fear contact, initiates her own

Lauren Park-Lane – 2019 – 5-5 – PG – Sanford — Small, young PG with very good handles…Pesky defender…Smart…Didn’t force things in transition without numbers…Struggled at times against the press due to size…Also made some highlight reel plays that excited the crowd…Capable scorer from the point

Natalie Pineda – 2018 – 5-6 – G – Ferguson — Wing who prefers to slash her way to the basket…Can also knocked down the three…Plays hard…Gets out in the passing lanes…Creating turnovers

Dazia Powell – 2017 – 5-9 – G – Millbrook – Signed with Old Dominion…Shot the three and mid-range well…Hit a few from deep against D-I caliber competition

Lindsey Pulliam – 2017 – 5-11 – G – Good Counsel — Northwestern signee…Created her own shot at all levels…Can finish contested looks…Lots of fluidity in her offensive game…At her best with the ball

Angelee Rodriguez – 2020 – 6-1 – C – Ferguson — Has the look…Above average athlete for her size and age…Rebounds well and has some understanding of what she needs to do on both sides of the ball…Evolving

Kaelynn Satterfield – 2019 – 6-0 – G/F – Christ the King — Big, strong ball handler…Light on her feet for her size…Showed the handles and poise to bring the ball up against pressure…Nice mid-range pull up but loves to drive and weave between second level defenders…Solid effort

Honesty Scott-Grayson – 2018 – 5-10 – PG – Paul VI – Elite combination of skills and physical attributes…Among the top PG prospects in the 2018 class…Great passer…Height and length makes her hard to rattle and turnover…Three point range requires close out on the catch… Comfortable with the challenge of high level competition

Jatarrikah Settle – 2017 – 5-11 – G – St. Frances — Mount St. Mary’s signee…Speedy, fluid, and aggressive on both sides of the ball…Has a good first step…Can hit the mid-range pull up and get to the cup

Aisha Sheppard – 2017 – 5-10 – G – St. John’s College — Virginia Tech commit…Athletic and very skilled…Gets to cup at will with creative finishes… Shot the ball very well including several threes…Shows that emotion coaches like to see…Good competitive spirit

Carla Soto – 2019 – 5-10 – G/F – Archbishop McCarthy — Showed both a face up game from the high post as well as rip and drive from the wing…Also played a the point…Smart player…Good basketball IQ on both sides of the ball…More of a versatile bigger guard than a forward at the next level…Could stand to be more aggressive at times on offense but the tools are there…Potential as her game matures

Jaida Strippoli – 2019 – 5-6 – PG – Ossining – Young PG prospect…Floor general with a cool head and effective handles…Limited scoring opportunities this weekend…Enjoys the game and the process

Sam Thomas – 2017 – 6-0 – F – Centennial — Arizona signee…Athletic rim runner…Played with consistency…Finished with both hands…Handled contact… Showed a nice face up game…Owned the paint at times, especially offensively

Olivia Tucker – 2019 – 5-8 – G – Sanford – Scored well…Efficient shooter…Has range but penetrates with quickness as well…Forced some passes at times…Watching her defensive development

Rayne Tucker – 2019 – 6-1 – F – Good Counsel — Good motor and physical tools…Rebounded well…Finished on the O boards…Nice, soft hands…Showed three point range…Has the skill and potential to replace the upperclass teammates graduating in front of her

Eboni Walker – 2019 – 5-11 – F – Centennial — Athletic forward who can also play the wing…Still has some room to grow offensively…Very effective in the mid post and short corner areas…Handled it in transition…Fast with the ball in her hands…Athleticism allows her to bang with bigger kids on the interior…Motor and hops

Chanel Wilson—2018 – 5-7 – G – McEachern — Big time scorer at the guard spot…Knocks down shots and gets to the cup…Shows consistently that she can play with other big time players…Ability to be a standout as well as a part of a team

Sydney Wood – 2018 – 5-11 – G – St. John’s College – College build and long arms on the wing…Knows how to use her length to her advantage defensively…Shot the three some…Needs more depth on the offensive side

Gabriella Zapata-Smalls – 2019 – 6-1 – F – Life Center– Big forward…Strong rebounder…Moves well, good feet and hands…Can drive it 2-3 dribbles…Big kid who has skills and a couple years to go before college