Blue Star Travel Teams roll into July

Chicago, IL – In the wide world of club basketball, July is the most important month on the calendar. The first NCAA Evaluation Period is the longest of its kind the entire season, and a ton of basketball is jam-packed into these seven days.

The Blue Star Travel Team circuit hosted its final two stops of the season at the USJN Premier Showcase in Indianapolis and then the grand finale at Blue Star Nationals in Chicago. Both events provided a huge platform for these programs that come from all over the country to compete.

Over 600 college coaches attended at least one of these two events as well, although it’s safe to say most were repeat attendees. For the Blue Star Travel Team League semi-final games in Chicago alone, over 135 college coaches surrounded the two courts to watch the Wisconsin Purple Aces – Philadelphia Belles and Illinois Elite – Eclipse KC 17U match ups that would determine who would play in the title game.

So who would that be? The Philadelphia Belles edged the Purple Aces in an overtime thriller that might have been the game of the week. Illinois Elite held on down the stretch to grind out a win over a talented, young Eclipse group, setting the stage for the final showdown.

Congratulations to Illinois Elite for making history and winning the 2022 Blue Star Travel Team League’s top 17 division championship, 66-55 over the Belles. Other champions were crowned as well, and for full event results and pool all-stars, as always you can check the USJN post event pages here:

Indianapolis- https://usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=793

Chicago- https://usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=794

Now, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. Here are just a handful of players from Blue Star Travel team programs who caught our eyes during the entire week of play. We saw hundreds of players at these two events, so consider this a mini-recap and just the tip of the ice berg so to speak. Keep it locked in on Blue Star Media for more event coverage all July long, from both the US and abroad.

Laila Allen — 2026 — 5-6 — Guard — Blue Star Orlando 14 – Definitely a ball hawk on D…Will pick you pocket in a hurry…Speed shows on offense too…Pulls up in traffic a bit

Kate Allard — 2025 — 6-2 — Wing — New England Crusaders 16 – Seems to be attacking the basket more often…Effective scorer…Competes…Still some more layers to peel back and discover

Serena Baker — 2023 — 5-11 — Wing — Dayton Lady Hoopstars 17 Premier – Plays a smart, hard brand of basketball…Impressive frame out on the wing…Pushed all the way to the rim in trans…Hit the trey

JJ Barnes — 2025 — 5-8 — Guard — Wisconsin Playground Elite 15 – Brings the ball up one posession, ducks in and posts up the next…Always has been a standout athletically…Dynamic lefty scorer…Requires plenty of double teams…Steals in the press and buckets the other way…Points from all over the floor

Jeniya Bowers — 2026 — 5-8 — Point Guard — Ohio United 15 – Play maker at PG with this combo of speed and handles…Positions herself well on defense…Can go up and score with either hand on either side…Lowers her shoulder and gets up through contact…Hit some tough runners

Lexi Bugajski — 2023 — 6-0 — Wing Forward — Wisconsin Impact 17 Witt – Definitely a sleeper out of Wisconsin…Stretch four all day with that three point shot…Also pulls up in the paint…Has the look of a player too…Defended different positions…Turnaround J in the paint is a go to…Tons of good energy

Jorey Buwalda — 2023 — 6-1 — Forward/Post — Wisconsin Elite 17 – Big seal inside for the post feed or lob over the top…Has range to the arc and likes the trail three…Motor turns pretty well…On the rise

Gabrielle Casey — 2023 — 5-8 — Guard — Philadelphia Belles 17 Steidle – Saint Joe’s commit…Scored in a variety of ways…Strong passer…Fierce competitors…Made it rain clutch three’s…Makes winning basketball plays

Ariyana Cradle — 2026 — 5-7 — Point Guard — Ohio United 16 – Makes scoring plays in transition, one way or another…Electric play at the point…Speed demon in the open court off the dribble

Jaliya Davis — 2025 — 6-2 — Forward — KS Eclipse 17 – Stock riser in a hurry…Size and athletic make up is big time…Gets her hands on passes and rebounds…Can be relentless at times…Still going to expand her game as time goes on one would bet too

Kendall Davis — 2024 — 5-10 — Wing — Georgia Pearls Elite 17 – Tough spin move into the jumper in the lane…Can really blast off with the ball in a hurry…Penetrates with purpose…Wants to jab and go

Abby Drendel — 2023 — 5-10 — Wing — M14 Hoops 17 3SSB – Some versatility as a wing…Handles in the half court and in transition as well…Makes good decisions as a passer

Kelsey Dubois — 2023 — 6-2 — Forward — Indy Magic 17 – Has a nice pull up J for her size, even with a step back…Broad shoulders inside…Can turn either way to score…Moves her feet well on D

Maddy Fay — 2023 — 6-2 — Forward — Illinois Elite 17 – Can go up and get the ball and get right back up off two feet to score it…Strong inside…Consistent performer who was key to their championship run

Trista Fayta — 2024 — 5-8 — Point Guard — Wisconsin Purple Aces 17 – Made some huge plays in big moments…Very deceptive and effective at getting to the rack…Good with the ball…Buried the pull up three when defenders went under the screens…Anticipates well on D

Karlee Fisher — 2023 — 5-7 — Combo Guard — MN Suns 17 – Hit the contested three…Can block shots out on the perimeter too…Can play some point…Got to the hoop when the opportunity provided itself

Mazie Fleming — 2025 — 6-3 — Post — Illinois Elite 16 – Has the coveted size and puts it to use…A protector of the rim…Vocal…Keeps it high and finishes without much wasted time or motion

Savannah Gage — 2025 — 5-8 — Wing — Kingdom Hoops 16 – Attacked the basket without relent, leading to several trips to the foul line where she cashed in…Skilled, lanky wing…Plays hard…All over the place out there…Also made plays on D

Lindsay Garner — 2023 — 6-3 — Post — ABC Lightning 17 – Can get some position inside and then asks for the ball…Consistent contributor inside throughout both events…Game has expanded this club season…Attacking the basket more off the face up

Gracie Grzesk — 2024 — 6-0 — Wing — Wisconsin Purple Aces 17 – Versatile wing with loads of skill and size to compete at a high level…Plays inside and out as the situation requires…Tough and will put her body on the line…Quick release on the three…Scores all over the floor…Play was instrumental in helping the team to the semi-finals and bigger eyes are watching

Melena Glysch — 2025 — 6-0 — Wing/Forward — Wisconsin Playground Elite 15 – Active forward…Always moving…Good three point stroke so can play on the wing…Gets out and defends in the open court

Payton Haley — 2023 — 5-10 — Wing — Heart of Illinois 17 – Nice shot…Athletic player…Bangs inside on D for a wing…Hits the boards…Willing to do some of the dirty work

Shantell Harden — 2023 — 6-0 — Wing — MN Suns 17 – Tall guard with handles…Very good defender…Gets to the hoop…Good player to have on top of the zone or press…Standout performer

Ariella Henigan — 2025 — 5-7 — Guard — Chicago Hoops Express 17 Silver – Nice job making quick passes ahead off of steals…Played well…Hit the three…Has a nice pull up J that she hit with some consistency

CiCi Hernandez — 2024 — 5-7 — Guard — Philadelphia Belles 16 Peterson – Scoring guard who is on the ascent…Nice, compact release on the three…Shoots it with confidence…Can log some minutes at the lead spot…Patient but plays with pace

Jordyn Hernandez — 2024 — 6-0 — Forward — NM Select 17 – Soft touch and loves to shoot the jumper…Lanky for sure…Likes the little turnaround J inside, or the three off the catch…Can be more effective inside than she probably realizes…Smart passer in the post areas…Lots of trips to the foul line…Handles in the open floor

Caitlyn Holmes — 2025 — 5-8 — Combo Guard — Ohio Xtreme 15 – Definitely an athlete…Shoots from across her body a bit but she can get hot from outside…Like her defensively…Has a chance to level up a bit still

Ella Hopkins — 2023 — 6-3 — Forward — Wisconsin Playmakers 17 BEC – Did some different things from the forward spot…Puts it on the deck…Scores in the paint…Gritty on the boards…Has a little turnaround fade…Even shot trail three

Amani Jenkins — 2025 — 6-2 — Forward — Kingdom Hoops 16 – Size and mobility package makes her a weapon in the ball screen actions…Solid first step when she faces up…Scores a lot off the bounce…Footwork in nice…Still pretty young

Olivia Jones — 2025 — 5-10 — Wing/Forward — Philadelphia Belles 16 Peterson – In your face and so aggressive…She’s coming for the ball wherever it is…Plays off two feet consistently…Tremendous motor yields output

Trinity Jones — 2026 — 6-0 — Wing/Forward — IL Rockets 16 – Wow factor…Well on her way to being a special player…See you later, she’s going to the rack…Makes shots from the outside as well…So much burst…Sprints like a track star…Collected plenty of steals…Mature and engaged in the game…Flashes with intent

Ashlyn Knapp — 2023 — 5-9 — Combo Guard — Wisconsin Elite 17 – Capable at the point but scoring prowess makes her a natural fit at the two…Type of kid who can go out and get you 20 points…Can score at will at times…Has her hands ready to catch and shoot…Sneaky with the bounce pass

Alyssa Koerkenmeier — 2025 — 6-5 — Post — Southern Illinois Hawks 16 – See her from all the way across the building at 6’5…Fairly agile already…Runs well…Nice defense in the paint…Good hands…Emerging move set…You can tell she’s working on her offensive moves…Well on her way, one to see

Eve Long — 2027 — 6-0 — Wing Forward — KS Eclipse 15 – Freakish athlete who can already grab the rim…Likes to post up…Can take a couple dribbles to get to the basket…Nice set of big hands…Pushed in transition some…Developing soft touch…Potential at a premium level here

Jayden McBride — 2024 — 5-11 — Wing/Forward — Erie Irish 17 – Southpaw who really shoots the three well…Freight train coming down the lane to score…Can really leave her mark on a game in a hurry

Allison O’Hanlon — 2024 — 5-8 — Guard — Albany Capitals Team McBride 17 – Plays with some swag, especially when she is making shots…Can get hot and knock ’em down in a hurry…Handles well enough to play some point

Tori Oehrlein — 2026 — 5-11 — Wing — MN Suns 16 – Just an energizer bunny out on the basketball court…Runs down loose balls…Follows her shot and scores the put back if she misses…Sets defenders up off the dribble…Packing plenty of heat for the suns

Brayanna Pelt — 2024 — 5-7 — Point Guard — Boulder Rockies 17 – Nifty handle…Some creative footwork to get shots when she gets into the lane…Has some shake for sure

Kendall Perry — 2026 — 5-6 — Combo Guard — Blue Star Orlando 14 – Had the ball in her hands often…Combination of length and handles…Will dip the shoulder and turn the corner…Pulled up for three

Brooklyn Pieper — 2023 — 6-1 — Post — Heart of Illinois 17 – Has the size and footwork inside to be a problem…Not going to outrun people, but once she gets it in the paint, points are coming…Effective and knows her strengths

Kaydence Schroeder — 2025 — 5-10 — Wing — Southern Illinois Hawks 16 – Pass first guard…Good court vision and handles the ball…Can make passes with either hand as needed…Guard with size

Jazmyn Shipp — 2024 — 6-1 — Forward — NW Magic 17 Team Rice – Light on her feet…Likes to face up…Threw no look passes off the dribble at her size…Finished inside…Helps direct offense from the intereior…Hard to stop at times in the paint

Lauren Slagle — 2023 — 6-1 — Forward — M14 Hoops 17 3SSB – Has big hands and grabs the ball well in traffic…Strong inside…Powers up to finish…Blocks jump shots cleanly

Loria Snowden — 2024 — 6-1 — Post — IN Showcase 16 Red – Strong inside…Has a physical presence in the paint…Some move set at her disposal…Decent handles for her size…Potential is there to level up

Isabella Spence — 2024 — 5-7 — Guard — Blue Star Orlando 17 – Really good passer…Penetrates to draw the D then finds her open comrades with ease…Some pep to her first step…Pull up game is coming along

Lakesha Thomas — 2023 — 5-11 — Forward — MN Crossfire 17 – Super athletic face up type…Bouncy for sure and likes to drive…Rebounds out of area

Ellie Thompson — 2026 — 5-8 — Combo Guard — Illinois Elite 16 – Good defender, quick and long…Wiry guard who can log minutes at the point too…Still going to need to fill out strength wise but super young…Keep an eye on the next few years

Camilla Thorsen — 2025 — 5-8 — Combo Guard — MN Stars 15 – Uses her build well to back down smaller guards and get into the turnaround jumper…Feeds the post and throws some zippy passes…Plays some point as well…Some grit to her game…Quick trigger on the three

Kirston Verhulst — 2025 — 5-7 — Point Guard — KS Eclipse 17 – Crafty and wise well beyond her years at the point…Can play at a variety of paces as needed…A true gamer…Makes shots from the outside at a good rate

Adelyn Walker — 2023 — 5-9 — Point Guard — Indy Magic 17 – A power point guard…Plenty of speed with the ball and decisive…Gets to the cup…Plays really hard and has a firey spirit…Nice showing

London Walker-George — 2025 — 5-9 — Forward — Chicago Hoops Express 17 Navy – True small forward type…Works high post and mid post areas where she likes to face up…Rips rebounds away from others so she definitely competes

Berry Wallace — 2024 — 6-1 — Wing — Ohio United 16 – Uses her frame to asset herself offensively…Extreme versatility…Can just take what she wants at times…Gets to her spots where she wants to make plays

Kara Wehner — 2023 — 5-5 — Point Guard — Philadelphia Belles 17 DeShields – Contributes across the board as a lead guard…Pokes the ball away and gets plenty of thefts…Handles the PG position with calm and poise…Has no problem setting ball screens at 5’5…Lots of pep in her step

Sole Williams — 2023 — 5-8 — Guard — Ohio United 17 – Louisville commit…Big time play maker…Southpaw and likes coming off ball screens heading that way…Quick change and go off the dribble…Three level bucket-getter…Really good in transition…Competes on the glass

Sophia Zufelt — 2024 — 5-8 — Combo Guard — NW Magic 16 Team Huff – Plays a lot of PG but shoots it like a two guard…Nice stroke…Vocal at times…Moves without the ball…Doesn’t panic in traps…Crashes the boards…Stock riser…Understands spacing well