Back To Work

CORDOVA, Tenn.—As the cautious approach to reopening the world as we know it finds out what is and is not working and what was and was not a good idea, we’re all excited about inching our way back into the gym for some basketball.  USJN pried the lid off and ran a couple of back to back events the last two weekends and Blue Star Media staff made their way out to a couple of individual showcases for younger players over the same time period.  Each step is tantamount to walking across thin ice and carefully stepping where the signs tell us walk and not walk, or distance or not distance, as the case may be.  Our ability to continue go to the gym will be incumbent on all of us following the guidelines and procedures event operators have in place with respect to the fact we’re not in Kansas anymore Dorothy.

This old writer made his way to the Mid-South, Memphis and the banks of the Mississippi River once more this past weekend.  We’ve made this trip before to take in the action of the Insider Exposure Jr. All-American Camp.  A new facility this year just down the road from the previous Collierville setting found Reform Sports Training Facility in Cordova hosting over 150 athletes from 22 states over four sessions and two days.  While a few upperclassmen made their way through the building our focus was on that next generation of prospects hovering around the corner.  Here are some of those athletes catching our eyes above our mask in Metropolitan Memphis.

Journey Armstead – 2022 – Wing – Oklahoma – Had moments on the wing…Lefty…Hesitation move…Solid athletic skills…Overdribbles at times…Bigger threat if more selective

Serenity Austin – 2025 – Guard – Tennessee – Athletic in the backcourt…Creates both shots and passes…Crossover is low and effective…Gets to the rim…Fluid form both pulling up or spotted up

Amari Berry – 2024 – Guard – Tennessee – Already established guard…Quick and athletic with good size and room to grow…Gets to the rim…Mixes both speed and direction…Can handle contact on the drive…Good body control…Fluid stroke on the pull up…Sees floor in transition…Needs to be more active without the ball

Amya Black – 2021 – Point Guard – Mississippi – Strong…Athletic…Change of speed and direction…Handles contact but the pull up is there as well…Mixes up her attack…Finds her teammates on the drive…Physical defender

Carlyn Burdette – 2024 – Forward – Tennessee – Nice size and frame…Sound skills…Methodical at times but efficient…Nice passing skills…Can get to the rim from the high post…Needs to initiate physical play with size and strength

Chantrel Clayton – 2024 – Point – Missouri – Speed with the ball is exceptional…Can get deep or is comfortable pulling up…Passing on the break is instinctual…Sets and controls the pace of the game…Reads the floor…Effective off the cut…Impacts the action

Madyson Elliott – 2025 – Guard – Tennessee – Nice length and athleticism…Looking to create and attack…Gets to the rim…A factor on the break with and without the ball…Slasher at times…Tools and size

Taelar Felton – 2024 – Point – Mississippi – Not a lot of size yet but dynamic…Quick with and without the ball…Change of speed and direction are on a dime…Vision is there on the break and penetration…Makes plays…Quick and annoying as an on ball defender

Wesleigh Ferguson – 2024 – Wing – Arkansas – Diverse and deceiving…Effective off the drive…First step is a tool…Sound ballskills…Change of speed serves her well…Weaves in traffic…Will battle with effort

Adrena Gordon – 2024 – Forward – Ohio – Physically strong for age…Deceptively agile…Some ballskills are there…Decent pull up off high post drive…Needs to be an impact with and without the ball…What position?

Rachel Griffin – 2024 – Wing/Forward – Tennessee – Tools are there physically and with the ball…Long, fluid and agile…Can penetrate on virtually any match up…Cuts hard and with intent…Reads the floor…Impact player both ends…Length on defense leads to multiple possibilities

Jordyn Griggs – 2023 – Wing/Forward – California – Long, lean and fluid…Tools are there to create her own…Can get to the rim but also elevates on a pull up…Some things are evolving from thought to reaction…Gets out on the break…Length and agility serve her on both ends…A presence on the glass…Added strength will challenge defenders

Abby Harrison – 2022 – Post – Mississippi – Nice size and frame…Text book approach…Can work down low or from the elbow…Upright some on her high post drive…Gets out and runs the floor…Baby hook is there…Plays with effort

Breona Hurd – 2024 – Forward – Missouri – Established forward…Solid, strong and skilled…Depth to her game rare for age…Assertive and aggressive in both full and halfcourt…Plays with confidence…Uses body effectively…Handles contact well…Does force on occasion…Consistency will set her apart from her peers

Ayanna Jackson – 2023 – Forward/Post – Illinois – Length and fluid…Has some ballhandling in place…Slithers in traffic to create…Low release on shot at times

Tyler Jones – 2025 – Guard – Tennessee – Very promising guard…Active and athletic…Strong, well-used individual skills…Plays with instincts…Creates her own looks or improves passes…Got on the offensive boards…Digs in defensively…Lots of potential

Tierney King – 2024 – Guard – Tennessee – Versatile player…Athletic and aggressive…Speed is there with and without the ball…Change of speed works for her…A factor in transition…Shoots with both hands…Needs to refine one or the other for consistency…Step back gets her room

Layne Kirkendoll – 2022 – Forward – Oklahoma – Long and athletic…Forward at this point…had a moment or two…Moves very well defensively…Elevates on the boards…Vertical is impressive…Offensive depth will be essential

Jenna Lawrence – 2023 – Forward – Arkansas – Nice size and length…Depth to skills and instincts…Mixes up her attack…Can get to the rim or pull up with confidence…Shot is a little flat on occasion…Plays with awareness of her own and other defenders…Jump hook was nice addition

Alyssa Lewis – 2024 – Guard – Missouri – Confident with the ball in her hands…Looks to push…Crossover to stepback creates space…Sees the floor in both transition and halfcourt…Too quick to pull the trigger at times…Assertive on ball defender

Caroline Lyles – 2022 – Wing – Arkansas – Nice size and frame…Established prospect…Solid skill sets…Sound ballhandling and vision…Handling physicality on the drive…Stroke, range and touch set her apart…Keeps defenders honest…Quick release…Defensive effort is solid…Close out spacing is critical

Angel Martin – 2024 – Guard – Tennessee – Can create…Mixes up attack well…First step allows her to slash…Delivers the ball on the break…Rebounds from the backcourt…Contains defensively

Madison McNeal – 2024 – Point – Tennessee – Sharp ballskills…Individual attack is refined…Hard to contain 1 on 1…Change of direction comes at full speed…Hesitation is there…Plays with impressive awareness

Addison Melton – 2024 – Guard – Tennessee – Active and efficient with the ball…First step is lengthy and hard to recover on…Sees the floor on the drive…Speed with ball is beyond first impression…Awareness leads to sound choices…Does rush on occasion…Shot refinement will keep defenders honest…Nice length already…Bright future

Kailani Merrell – 2026 – Wing/Guard – Florida – Very long, very lean but very young…Deceiving at this point…Ballskills are sharp and used with confidence…Not hesitant about taking it into traffic…Reads defenders on the attack…Handles contact despite lack of strength at this point…Keeps herself involved in the action…Lots of tools and promise

Emily Monson – 2023 – Guard/Wing – Tennessee – Continues to advance…Active, skilled and effective…Slight build with some length…Strong with and without the ball…Makes herself an option throughout possessions…Sees teammates and options…Lateral agility and wingspan serve her well defensively

Hannah Mouton – 2024 – Point – Louisiana – Always attacking…Pushes from makes, misses and turnovers…Hesitation is very effective…First step is ultra-quick…Pull up serves her well…Lots of speed in the open court…Can take it coast to coast…Stays active without the ball in her hands

Chrysta Narcisse – 2023 – Guard – Louisiana – Effective one on one skills…Ballhandling allows her to create…Pushes it at opportunity…Pull up is in place…Active on ball defender

Alonna Poole – 2024 – Guard – Tennessee – Some length…Sharp ballskills…Creates…Individual attack is effective…Can penetrate and deliver the interior pass…Fluid in traffic…Active

Torin Rogers – 2022 – Wing/Guard – North Carolina – Wing with good agility for size…Active and moves well in half and full court…Shows good instincts and feel…Form and stroke are there…Spacing on closeouts help her defensively…Makes plays on both ends

Dasia Scott – 2027 – Forward – Missouri – Very young with major promise…Impressive size already…Solid build…Moves well…Showed good agility…High post drive is there…Physical attack…Plays upright at times

Savannah Scruggs – 2023 – Guard – Tennessee – Promising guard with both length and athleticism…Plays at speed and can attack in both full and halfcourt scenarios…Sound passing skills both off the break or on penetration…Has tools to be an elite defender with focus…Added strength will be an asset…Watch

Zyion Shannon –  2022 – Guard – Tennessee – Speed and quickness are there…Crossover is refined…Efficient navigating traffic on break or in the halfcourt…Pull up looks solid…Nice vision in transition

Malon Smith – 2025 – Point – Tennessee – Small but solid and strong…Attacking mentality…First step is lethal…Step back is efficient…No reservations about penetrating and creating…Controls pace…Scrappy on ball defender

Chrishunti Walker – 2024 – Post – Tennessee – Solid and strong…Physical presence…Some ballskills are available…Got to the rim from the high post…Showed off a baby hook…Should dominate the glass

Hannah Wallace – 2024 – Wing/Guard – Missouri – Wiry and lean…Strong individual skills…Crossover…Reads her defender…Floater is there…Quick hands and feet defensively

Faye Williams – 2026 – Wing – Tennessee – Nice length and athleticism…Active and agile for age and experience…Looking to make an impact…Some ballhandling is in place…Tools are all there both physically and basketball…Watch closely

Mila Williams – 2023 – Wing – Tennessee – Solid and strong for age…Makes an impact…Sound ballskills help her attack…Always there in transition…No reservation about physical play…Plays with impressive effort

A week earlier Blue Star Media was on hand in Atlanta, Georgia for Collegiate Girls Basketball Report’s Showcase for the classes of 2023, 2024 and 25.  The one day event featured three individual sessions and was highlighted by skill instruction from highly regarded skill trainer Ganon Baker.  Here are some of the Standouts from Atlanta.

Laniece Bowen – 2024 – 5-9 – Guard – Elk Grove, CA – Has a strong build…Good separation on the step back…Scorer…Big game winning drive…Has a little mamba mentality

Marlee Burner – 2022 – 5-10 – Wing – Savannah, GA – Fluid…Comfortable handles…Lanky frame out on the wing…Gets up to board for a guard…Tough on Defense…High level of skill…Active on both ends…Efficient scorer at all levels…Cross and down court passes have something behind them

Bre’Aria Cannon – 2024 – 5-11 – Wing – Christiana, TN – Lanky athlete…Starting to click on the court…Solid output in the mid-range…Some raw explosiveness on the attack…Shoots the contested three off the bounce…Glides to finish…Aggressive style of play

Mallory Collier – 2023 – 6-4 – Post – Millington, TN – Big…Physical presence down in the post…Will surprise opponents with the jump shot…Agile feet…Finishes over the shoulder with either hand…Continues to add to her game

Keona Curtis – 2022 – 6-1 – Forward – Grovetown, GA – Good length, big feet, long stride…Attacks the rim well…Finishes through contact…Battles on the boards…Steps out for three at times

Reychel Douglas – 2023 – 5-11 – Wing – Raleigh, NC – Athletic tools for a wing…Strong pull up game…Hard to contest with her size and length…Good footwork to finish in the paint…Three ball is falling

Joyce Edwards – 2024 – 6-2 – Forward – Rembert, SC – Big time make up physically…Relentless rebounder…Keeps it high and puts it back in one smooth motion…Range from about 15 feet…Comfortable driving from the perimeter…Future is bright

Jessica Fields – 2025 – 6-1 – Forward – Kennesaw, GA – Plenty of raw physical gifts…Learning and continuing to add ball skills…Anticipation is there on defense…Boards it in traffic and works to box out…12-15ft range on the empty out…Should be a factor for years to come

Rian Forestier – 2024 – 5-10 – Wing – San Antonio, TX – Rips and drives off the catch…Will hit the three when given space…Should develop into a scorer at all levels…Works hard on her game…Plays older than her grade level

Olivia Fuller – 2023 – 5-10 – Wing/Forward – Clearwater, FL – Vocal, athletic wing…Mature build for her age…Gets up and grabs the rim…Good instincts on the floor…Plays bigger than her height suggests…Shoots three ball with regularity…Drives and cuts to get lay-up opportunities…Trending upward

Mary Ashley Groot – 2023 – 6-1 – Forward – New York, NY – Good size/length to go with a standout motor…Deceptive hops…Gets to the rim off the bounce…Rips down rebounds and utilizes the pivot…Footwork is there

Alexis Hess – 2023 – 5-11 – Combo Guard – Blandon, PA – Legit high end prospect…Slices her way through traffic in the lane…Natural athletic gifts mixed with ball skills and scoring ability…Dangerous when she asserts herself

Kate Hollifield – 2022 – 5-9 – Guard – Shelby, NC – Plays smart…Good fundamental foundation…Shooting the three often…Good footwork and quick release…Makes plenty of heads up plays

Malaya Jones – 2024 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Tucker, GA – Quick smaller PG…Fast, impressive handles…Excellent passing on display…Shot is better off the catch than off the bounce…Will continue to improve as she grows and gets stronger

Rashunda Jones – 2023 – 5-8 – Point Guard – South Bend, IN – Athletic slasher…Demonstrated the ability to make plays and string buckets in transition…Needs to fill out

Zamareya Jones – 2024 – 5-2 – Point Guard – Greenville, NC – Baller at the point…Elite handle to break down defenders…Hard for even the most athletic defenders to contain…Mixes her finishes…Competes on the defensive end as well

Kennedy Langham – 2023 – 5-7 – Guard – Harvest, AL – Can score it at all three levels…Has shown improvement pulling up coming off ball screens…Keeps it simple…Can compete against talented players on both ends

Courtney Ogden – 2023 – 6-1 – Wing – Atlanta, GA – Continues to be a problem inside and out for all opposition…Must try to box her out…Always a do it all player with a wealth of high level experience

Johanna Potter – 2025 – 6-1 – Forward – Stockbridge, GA – Has the physical tools…Frame will start to fill out as she gets older…Impressive handles for her age/size…Will drive, score in the mid-range, and even stretching it to the arc…One to know early

Camryn Register – 2025 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Johns Creek, GA – Nice passer…Good in the pick and roll game for her age…Has a combination of speed and handles…Three point range continues to come along…Keeps her head up…Noticeable feel for the game

Mila Reynolds – 2022 – 6-2 – Wing – South Bend, IN – Shoots the ball well…Long and tall…Hard to contest…Nice wrap around finishes off the bounce…Catch and finish in all sorts of traffic…Impact player on both sides of the floor

Zakiya Stephenson – 2023 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Virginia Beach, VA – Shifty, electric PG…Has grown and filled out some…Breaks people down off the bounce…Needle-threader with the passes…Good reads to refuse ball screens…Scorer’s mentality…One to know if you don’t already

Nikole Thomas – 2023 – 5-9 – Guard – Pasco, WA – Athletic, bouncy guard…Good passer…Lefty slasher…Finds a way to put the ball in the basket…Plays hard buzzer to buzzer…Range out to the arc is coming along

Jade Tillman – 2023 – 5-10 – Wing Forward – Washington, DC – Great build for age…Fundamentally sound in many areas…Close out and box out on shooters was textbook…Physical and tough nature to her…Driver from the wing…Pushes on her own in transition…Changes direction well in traffic for size…Versatility really starting to shine through

Olivia Tucker – 2024 – 5-7 – Guard – Durham, NC – Good moments…Long, strong youngster…Can put it on the floor…Release on the jumper is fluid…Gets steals and makes you pay on the other end with two points

Blossom Wallace – 2026 – 5-10 – Wing – Pickerington, OH – Age was not  an issue…Has the size and length to go along with an advanced skillset…Gets out in transition and elevates to finish…Comes from a basketball family with her heads up play…High ceiling

Ava Watson – 2024 – 5-7 – Guard – Flowery Branch, GA – Lanky, skilled young wing player…Continues to show the ability to create for herself…Confidence in her mid-range game to come down, stop, and pop…Likes having the ball in her hands