WASHINGTON, DC- With August peeking around the corner many teams considered the USJN 15U-12U as their last stop of a long summer road trip. Competition proved to be fierce on all 18 courts at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Starting up at 1:00pm July 25th, (as the older divisions were finishing up their playoff rounds) and running through Sunday the28th, teams played in front of over 100 college coaches and scouts.
Two hundred teams from twenty-one states and Canada ran the courts. Divisions were broken down into four age groups. Seventy-one teams competed in the 15U pools, fifty-three in the 14U pools, forty-seven in the 13U pools and twenty-nine in the 12U pools. Boo Williams Summer League championed three out of the four age brackets of competition.
BWSL15 Richmond took home the trophy beating the Bay State Jaguars 15 by a score of 77 to 55 in the 15U Bracket. BWSL 14 Richmond scored 54 points while beating the Hoosier Elite 14 Reinoehl by a margin of 17 to claim the 14’s crown.
With a 10 point spread, the New Heights 13’s outscored the Monarchs 13 Blue 50-40 to bring home their tournament trophy in the 13U Division. Lastly in the 12’s, first place and bragging rights went to Boo Williams Summer League 12 Richmond Davis with a final round win over the Matrix 12 Reed by a score of 45-34.
For more complete information on the tournament follow the link below:
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_tournament_schedule_new.php?which=205
2015
A definite notice in the point guard position was 5’6 Alyssa Alston (CT-Da Fam Club 15 Red). The Career Magnet high school product sets up her team from the top and is equally comfortable in the shooting guard position. Smoothness and body control allow her to penetrate the key for a dish off or finish. Defensively she has a keen sense for the ball and will pick up the quick steal and score by getting to the rim.
Indiana Hoosier’s Elite 15 Wolfpac Erin Wood, who is getting looks from a number of Big Ten schools, used her size and mobility to at times control the game. At 6’2 the center from Noblesville IN Wood got herself from the perimeter to the rim and would pin the defense using a nice little ½ hook to score in the paint.
Showing a High IQ for the game of basketball and a big guard who attacked the floor as well as hit the “3” is 6’1 Kristen Daley from the Rivers School. This smooth versatile player helped her Bay State Jaguars out on many occasions on the defensive end, working hard and reading the passing lanes for the pick off pass.
Mercy Taylor Jones (MI Monarchs 15 Brown) displayed an incredible amount of strength and determination to get the job done. With a combination of the “3” point shot and scoring in the paint out of transition opponents found the 5’8 guard from Farmington Hills Mercy high school a tough matchup and hard to stop.
NH Rivals 15 Black 5’6 Taylor Choate was quick to the hoop. Using a quick first step and combination dribble to get by her defender Choate (Nashua North HS) got herself in the lane. Whether dishing to a teammate or finishing with a score, she was a valuable asset and true teammate.
Amari Johnson (PA Mid Penn Motion 15’s) of Dallastown high school is being followed by many D-I coaches. A 6’0 forward with great hands and shooting touch around the rim, she used her athleticism to score around and over many defenders. A strong rebounder with good timing, Johnson also enjoyed altering the shot of opponents.
Using the patented “spin and take” Destini Walker (BWSL 15 Richmond) is a very aggressive and talented player that showed exactly why Wake Forest is excited about her commitment to their Deamon Deacon program.
2016
Helping the BWSL 15’s Richmond move on to a championship was Anna Wilson. The highly regarded 5’9 guard from Collegiate high school continues to impress all who watch with her ability to knock down the “3” as well as distribute the ball to teammates for the score. The Richmond native’s speed and skills combine to make her a force to contend with on both ends of the court.
Kaela Hilaire (NY-New Heights 15 Blue) used an awesome hesitation blow by move to continually get past her defender. This 5’4 guard from Floral Park high school is not only fast but very explosive to the hoop.
6’1 forward Maggie Ahearn (Bay State Magic) showed the crowd and coaches alike her versatility. If you are looking for a player who can play all five positions Ahearn is the one! Representing Marshfield high school she is a dangerous mid-range shooter and contributor in all categories.
If you like long lanky players who get into the passing lane and can hit the “3” point shot Isabella Alaire (MD-Germantown Lady Panthers15) will impress you. The 5’11 forward from National Cathedral high school can shorten the passing lane and snatch a pass to finish at the other end.
Quick Hitter 2017’s
Braxtin Miller (Dayton, Oh/Cincinnati Angels 14 White) – 2017 – 5-9 Guard – Athlete…Persistent rebounder…Clutch FT shooter
Hailey Brown (Hamilton, On Team Ontario 15) – 2017 – 6-2 Forward – Prefers to drive…Will also shoot… Smooth player
Milicia Reid (Bronx, Ny/New Heights 15 Blue) – 2017 – -5-7 Point – Quick…Steals…Makes plays
Quick Hitters 2018’s
Janai Crooms (Boston, Ny/Bay State Jaguars 12) – 2018 – 6’0 Forward – Handles…Shot blocker…Aggressive scorer
Zaria Dorsey (Bronx, Ny/New Heights 15 Blue) – 2018 – 6-0 Forward – Athletic…Size and build…Mobil
More information on All Star players in their pools can be found at the link below
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_allstar_new.php?which=205
