Braggin’ Rights Classic

MASON, Ohio – The endless list of holiday tournaments continues to grow year after year.  Some are worth checking out while others seem to be just a good way to add games to the schedule.  Over the last several seasons a trip to Ohio has been on the agenda of many recruiters with the growth of the Girl Powher Basketball Showcase’s Braggin’ Rights Classic.  While there aren’t actually any braggin’ rights on the line with the showcase format, tournament director DJ Hairston has been assembling impressive line ups of teams, quality match ups and three days of great basketball.  This year 39 teams from nine states, the District of Columbia and Canada competed in 42 games throughout the event serving up one last round of holiday cheer.

Here are just some of the outstanding prospects on hand in Mason this year.

If Potter’s House Christian Academy (Fla.) walks around with a target on its back, it’s safe to assume it’s centered right on the jersey of senior combo guard Antoinette Bannister.  The 5-9 North Carolina signee draws the focus of any defense she lines up against and deservedly so.  A well established long ball threat, Bannister is beginning to revert back to being a versatile, multifaceted scoring weapon for her father and head coach Tony Bannister.  While not lacking in talent PHCA lost some integral parts to their high powered attack to graduation and a lot of the burden has landed on the shoulders of Bannister.  She is physically strong and assertive when she puts the ball on the floor and is more than capable of scoring effectively with contact as she gets to the rim.  The pull up isn’t as deadly as her stroke behind the arch but it’s effective enough that opponents can’t ignore it or give too much of a cushion.  Conditioning showed itself to be a factor as the legs went on her late in both games.  She was still productive but lost an edge to her explosiveness and some of the lift on her three point attempts.  This team provides a great opportunity for her to exert her leadership and develop other intangible aspects of her game before she heads off to Chapel Hill next year.  

One of the more impressive individual skill performances came at the hands of 5-8 unsigned senior guard Janae Blount of H.D. Woodson (D.C.).  Attacking with explosive quickness, she left defenders standing and guessing time and again.  Her attack utilized a lot of side to side moves that got opponents off balance and out of position unable to contain her penetration.  Her first step is explosive and covers a deceiving amount of real estate for a guard her size.  She was able to score in traffic with some acrobatic finishes but also nailed several pull ups with impressive elevation and touch.  In transition she gets out and runs the floor with good speed and can push the ball herself quicker than most match ups can run without it.  A drawback for her offensively is her play off the ball.  Like many players of her skill set she’s often not sure what to do on the weak side of the floor to occupy helpside defenders or create her own looks from cuts.  The same tools that allow her to attack offensively could make her a staunch on ball defender.  The quickness and one on one mentality puts her in a position to be a top tier stopper if she’ll embrace the role. 

One of Blount’s H.D. Woodson (D.C.) teammates also offered up an eye catching physical and college ready performance.  Providence bound wing/forward Jephany Brown has the tools to play inside and out and be productive from either spot.  Right now the 6-0 senior is better suited as a small forward but had some moments that indicate that the wing might be in her collegiate future.  She posted strong and effectively down low and was comfortable in her attack on the catch.  She calls on a jump hook that serves her well in addition to some simple power moves that get results and multiple trips to the line.  Away from the rim her stroke looks reliable and she utilized some solid shot selection in picking her opportunities.  Her ballhandling is sound but still needs additional refinement to make it the asset that it has the potential to be.  The ability is there to run the floor with the guards and she can be a factor in both starting and finishing the break.  Her strength and agility allow her to defend match ups with more size but the footspeed is there to contain some small backcourt opponents. 

Raytea Long and her Chaminade Julienne (Ohio) teammates pulled off the upset of the event with the defeat of national powerhouse Potter’s House Christian Academy (Fla.).  Long, wishfully listed at 6-1, provides an inside power game that is difficult to challenge on the high school level.  Despite her smaller stature as an interior player, strength and a solid build allow her to clear space and create both post position and scoring opportunities.  On reception the Vanderbilt signee knows how to protect the ball and take it up aggressively against defenders of all sizes.  She demonstrated a one dribble drive that serves her well from the elbows and short corners but has also shown more extensive ballhandling in previous outings. The midrange shot and touch are there and should translate to an effective option in a four out set at the next level.  Long has shown the ability to shoot it deeper but consistency will be the key to allow her to keep her match up playing her straight up.  On the boards she’s a force at both ends.  The outlet comes quickly defensively and she goes back up with authority on the offensive end.  A sincere focus on conditioning will serve her well in the transition to college basketball. 

Every once in a great while there are unsigned seniors with both potential and size.  Kendra Moss of Thurgood Marshall (Ohio) stands every bit of 6-2 and her length actually gives the impression she might stand even taller.  Her movement is fluid and smooth and the ability to run the floor is there.  Her upper body build is lean but far from the skin and bones look of some scholastic posts and her lower body is solid and strong.  It’s obvious she’s been coached and you can see her intentions and understanding of the game in her efforts.  A lot of things are still a thought for her right now and have yet to evolve to a reaction but we’ve seen signed players with much further to go than Moss.  She’s active on both ends of the floor and her focus is better than many.  There’s still a lot of work to do and what level she can contribute at is open to debate.  However, there’s plenty of potential worth exploring by “no stones unturned” recruiters. 

Playing alongside a high profile teammate can often cast a shadow difficult to escape from.  When that teammate is someone like Maryland bound Chloe Pavlech it’s a safe bet she’s going to do more to highlight your game than her own.  Unsigned Sycamore (Ohio) 5-6 point guard Alexis Newbolt has speed and quickness to spare and gets past more than her share of defenders to demonstrate that in both transition and the halfcourt.  Her ballhandling is sound and the crossover leaves plenty of defenders lunging and scrambling to recover.  On the break she weaves through traffic creating numbers situation where there often were none to begin with.  She can get to the rim but is equally adept at pulling up in the 10 foot range with consistency.  Her vision allows her to see the floor efficiently and she’s more than willing to kick it ahead to teammates with better options.  The speed and quickness put her in the position to be a harassing on ball defender which offsets her somewhat wiry build. 

There really is little left to be said about Bolingbrook (Ill.) senior forward Morgan Tuck that hasn’t already been written over the last four seasons.  However, each time out she appears to take her game to another level or add a dimension that gives cause for mentioning her just one more time.  While the 6-2 UConn bound Tuck and her teammates only played one game in Mason she left an impression on her opponents as well as those sitting courtside.  The maturity to her game as well as her confidence and consistency stand out in any high school setting and offer up a defining factor between simply good and elite basketball.  As corny as cliché’s can be at times the description of “a woman among girls” is certainly fitting.  She mixes up her inside and outside attack, she’s more than willing to give the ball up or take a back seat when it’s called for and she plays the game with a mono-emotional approach that serves her well from tip to buzzer.  To think the best may still be yet to come should be cause for excitement up in Storrs and concern for future opponents.     

Paige Cashin of Newark High School (Ohio) has been on the recruiting radar for some time now and seems to be at a crossroads in her development.  The 6-4 junior has the size and build recruiters love as well as the mobility to get up and down the floor in any up tempo situation.  She’s active on the offensive end and works hard for position both on the block and with her cuts through the key.  Her basketball concepts are sharp and it’s obvious that she know what she’s looking for or trying to create.  Though there’s still a forward motion in her perimeter shot she does have the stroke and touch to be a threat from the high post.  Down low she’s fundamental and finishes consistently five feet and in.  The crossroads at this point seems to be that fraction of a second that needs to be eliminated in her attack.  Everything seems, as I referenced in regard to another player, to be a thought and not quite yet a reaction.  The potential and tools are there but so is that split second that advanced defenders will exploit at the highest level.  In no way is this meant to minimize her game, it’s more observation and conversation among recruiters and evaluators courtside when discussing the ultimate level she might compete on collegiately.  Keep watching closely. 

One of the more versatile players on hand who just “made plays” was Bellbrook’s (Ohio) junior Erin Dorn.  Caught in that mystery land of ‘tweeners”, she scored effectively around the rim but connected out to three point range as well.  Matched up with Potter’s House (Fla.), the 5-11 wing/forward and her teammates stayed on attack throughout and took the game down to the last few possessions before falling.  Dorn has some fundamental ballhandling that serves her well and good instincts as she penetrates.  On the defensive end she’s not hesitant to put a body on someone and seems to enjoy physical play.  Footspeed isn’t a real strength and she won’t be matching up with the ultra quicks in the backcourt.  At the same time, if effort counts for anything, she’s going to be in the middle of the action.   

If your first standard is evaluating a prospect is pure athleticism, than take a quick look at Thomas Worthington’s (Ohio) Frannie Frazier.  This 5-9 junior guard has all the speed, quickness and physical strength that any recruiter could look for. Her ballhandling is solid and combined with her physical tools, allows her to navigate the floor virtually at will.  The form and range is there to shoot the ball deep while the pull up is difficult to defend with her impressive elevation.  The lefty can get inside and has the body to handle the contact that might come from bigs rotating her way.  Defensively she gets in a stance and has the lateral speed to contain any ballhandler she might draw as an assignment.  Her instincts are evolving and if they catch up with the physical aspects of her game, the limit will be up to her to set.

It’s not often that one of the most physically gifted players on hand is also one of the hardest working.  Digital Harbor’s (Md.) A’Lexus Harrison is going to catch the eye of even the least knowledgeable individuals in the gym with her physical build and athleticism alone.  Add to that some spectacular plays involving a vertical that volleyball players would envy and you’ve got something special.  The University of Maryland junior verbal commit is going to impress you even further with her effort.  One sequence had her missing a shot inside, going to the floor, getting up, tipping the rebound twice and getting back to make the block in transition at the other end.  Her skill set is sound but in need of expansion and refinement.  She’s got a nice touch from midrange but it doesn’t translate to deeper on the perimeter.  She’ll need to be a consistent threat to force defenders to close out or they’re going to take a cushion bigger than those on the living room sofa.  Her interior scoring is efficient on both sides but the work on the left comes from her right hand which won’t work against the top tier athletes in the Atlantic Coast Conference.  Her skill development desperately needs the same effort she puts out at game time on the floor.

If you were looking for a pivotal moment in the evolution of the game of Hathaway Brown’s (Ohio) Vanessa Smith you would have to look back at the USA Basketball Under 16 Trials last June.  That seemed to be the point that she took the step from being good to showing the makings of being a whole lot more.  The 6-0 junior wing has since continued to advance and mature in her play while impressing recruiters, evaluators and even a few opponents.  Each time out Smith is showing more diversity in her game.  Her attack off the dribble is highlighted by a long first step and a willingness to initiate contact to seal her defender.  The shot is more and more consistent and coming with a visible confidence as evidenced by her game tying jumper that led to a successful overtime against H.D. Woodson (D.C.). Add to that the fact that she’s more than comfortable taking a perimeter defender down to the block and posting up and you’ve got the kind of player that makes a coach’s jobs easier.  On the other end she’s aggressive both on and off the ball.  She gets low and digs in looking to take away options from her match up.  On the weakside she anticipates well coming up with both touches and steals. 

St. Mary’s made the trip down from Ontario, Canada and they had several young players worth keeping an eye on.  One of the sophomores that stood out was 5-9 combo guard Hillary Hanaka.  Showing off some impressive ballhandling and passing instincts she created opportunities time and again for herself and her teammates.  In transition and halfcourt sets her vision allowed her to make good choices and deliver some pin point assists.  Her own scoring came from both penetration and perimeter looks.  The jumper comes off her shoulder to a degree but she has the range and touch to knock some down.  Defensively she’s assertive but could stand to be more physical on the ball.  On the weakside she reads well and made several nice picks. 

One of Ohio’s more promising sophomores is Alexa Hart from Lake Ridge Academy (Ohio).  This 6-3 forward has all the tools to accomplish whatever she might set her mind and work ethic to at the next level.  Long, lean and athletic, she has the ability to work inside but also the speed and agility to be a factor on the perimeter and break.  She has good instincts offensively moving off the cut or posting up and looking for the entry.  On the block her drop step got her some easy looks and a soft floater / jump hook serves her well in the middle.  The ability is there to put it on the floor and create her own looks off the one or two dribble drive as well as pull up from the midrange if needed.  With her slight build she’s not going to be muscling her way inside anytime soon but her agility helps her when things get physical.  That lean build has its drawbacks defensively as well but her length and reach allow her to be an impact player none the less.  She reads the floor and rotates quickly when needed in helpside situations.  It’s all up to her.   

When people talk about Newark (Ohio) more often than not they’re going to mention junior post Paige Cashin first but 5-7 sophomore Maggie Mitchell better be creeping into the conversation pretty quickly.  The ultra smart combo guard brings a well rounded game to the table and makes those around her better.  Her ball handling and passing skills are on point and she makes good decisions on the break or reading in the halfcourt.  While she can see and deliver the well read pass she has to tools to be a scorer in her own right.  She moves well on the floor and spots up for the kick out when it comes her way.  Off the drive she can get all the way to the rim but delivers a deadly pull up to keep weakside defenders honest.  Lots of possibilities.

On a well coached St. Anthoney’s (N.Y.) team, sophomore Chastity Taylor delivers some quality play and a promising future.  The 5-10 wing/guard has good size and athleticism on the perimeter as well as the tools to catch the eye of smart recruiters. She can create off the dribble with solid ballhandling and has the ability to get deep in the paint.  Good body control and solid physical strength help her finish inside and get to the line.  The perimeter shot needs some attention as she tends to step into it and will struggle to get it off against better defenders.  She’s there on the break both with and without the ball.  Defensively the potential is in place to match up at any perimeter spot as well as be a key factor in pressing and trapping situations.

There were several strong freshmen on hand but none stood out like 5-10 Nicole Martin from S.W. DeKalb (Ga.).  Currently she’s working both at the small forward spot as well as on the wing but the perimeter is where her future lies.  Her athleticism is on par with any athlete in the gym but she’s still not quite sure what to do with it.  Inside she elevates above all defenders big and small.  Her form isn’t bad but consistency will have to come.  The first step easily got her past any defender on the floor but she’ll need to expand her arsenal to make the most of the options she creates.  Like any young player she brings an emotional element to the court that will get in the way at times but under a coach like Kathy Richey-Walton that shouldn’t be a problem for long.