PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. – Eight minutes into Saturday’s USJN Battle of the Programs opener for Blue Star St. Louis, the team’s seven player roster was reduced to six for the duration of the weekend because of an injury to post Taylor Baur.
Unfazed, Blue Star St. Louis responded to win the BOP’s fourth bracket and split two more games during Sunday’s Elite Oktoberfest, the loss coming by two points.
“We had six people for basically four and a half games,” coach Chris Wilkenson said, himself marveling at the accomplishment. “To go 4-1 and do what we did …”
He needn’t finish the thought. The St. Louisans – all from the Class of 2016 — showed why their rich pedigrees are important while rushing past their competition.
“They’re just super-competitive kids,” Wilkenson said.
“We’ve got three kids from Incarnate Word Academy, No. 2 in the country last year. We’ve got another guard from Mary Institute that was No. 2 in the state of Missouri. So those kids are used to winning. They’re used to playing big games. That makes a difference. When they get out here, they’re able to do stuff from having been playing and seeing those things before,” Wilkenson said.
The 6-foot-1 Baur , whom Wilkenson noted is attracting looks from Division I schools, and guard Rachel Thompson, an athletic slasher and defender, play for Mary Institute and Country Day School in St. Louis. Ivana Easley, a heady point guard, improving post Abbey Hoff and guard Katie Lacefield all play for Incarnate Word, a traditional power.
“They all get along, so chemistry is very big with this group,” Wilkenson said. “They can all handle it, they can all shoot it. They just do a lot of the little things that help you win games.
“We picked up two players lately, Danielle Berry and Megan Jensen. They’re all from very successful high school programs, all won 20 games, so they’re winners. Great personality, meshed well, get along great. And in girls’ basketball, that’s a big thing. They all like each other. And they’re easy to coach. They’ll look you in the eye when they come off the court and play hard.”
Texas TeamXpress makes BOP debut
Coach Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil’s TeamXpress from Texas made its Battle of the Programs debut Saturday, providing the program’s 2016 and ’17 players with an opportunity to step into new roles and showcase themselves in front of nearly 200 college coaches.
“I’m encouraged,” said Davis-Wrightsil, the former All-American for Jody Conradt at Texas. “Every player on this team played a different role. We went from July being in the passenger seat and now (in September) we said, ‘OK, here are the keys.’ I was pleased. I saw them progress.”
TeamXpress went 1-2 in the Battle of the Program’s second bracket. But the improvement noted by Davis-Wrightsil was reflected in other areas.
“Gabby Connally (2017) really showcased herself. She led. She didn’t just play, she led. She’s special. She’s a willing worker,” Davis-Wrightsil said.
“Alexandra Busby-Leija (2016), the last game, she really came into her own. But she had always had those older kids around her. For her, it was a matter of a comfort level, knowing she’s going to get the opportunity and not worrying about being perfect, but just relaxing.
“Nikki Cardano-Hilla (2017) did a good job. She’s a freshman, and it put a lot of pressure on her. Kennedi Centers (2016), she’s the bruiser, she’s rough and tumble.”
Davis-Wrightsil’s program places an emphasis on individual development through the establishment of a solid work ethic, with the goal being to showcase a player’s college potential while she’s still in high school. In short, letting the college coach see right now exactly what the player will be doing in college.
“The key with us is we’re going to deal with a certain type of kid. If you want to get better and you’re willing to work and you’re willing to learn, then those are the type of people who can play with us,” Davis-Wrightsil said. “A lot of people have 20 or 30 teams. No, I’m not in it that way. I want to help kids who want to be helped. And we’re going to do it at a high level. We’re trying to showcase what they can do at the next level, but we want the coaches to see it right now. We’re trying to paint a picture for them.”
Always 100: Who needs a point guard?
Indiana’s Always 100 went 1-2 in Saturday’s fourth BOP bracket, but their teams in the accompanying Elite Oktoberfest competed as well – despite some hardship.
The Always 100 17 Krebs squad played against older kids despite having a roster comprised of nearly entirely 2017 and 2019 graduates. Both of the team’s point guards were unavailable, one due to injury, the other having played with another team.
But 2017s Madisen Parker and Teryn Kline came through in a big way, particularly in an impressive victory against Wisconsin Lakers 17 in the Elite Oktoberfest.
“Today was a challenge,” coach Mike Kline said. “The girls got out of their comfort zone. Madisen and Teryn had to handle the ball more and be more involved. That’s where they need to grow and get better and they had their chances today. I thought it was a good experience.”
In addition to the two missing point guards, Always 100 picked up a player for the weekend, IPFW commitment Josie Fisher. But the point guard rolled her ankle on Sunday and was unavailable. The addition of Fisher was the reason Always 100 had to play against other 2015 kids.
“Out of the seven kids we had on the roster today, all of them are basketball players and have a good basketball IQ, and make good decisions and play unselfishly. And more than anything, play hard,” Kline said. “That always makes it a lot easier.”
To see complete post event page information (colleges in attendance, teams, results, pool-all stars, etc) you can follow the link below.
