Doing it Big in the East

OAKS, PA – It has been a busy spring for basketball, and the weekends are flying by, event after event. We blinked, looked up, and found ourselves in the middle of May.

As the girls’ basketball world continues to makes its way into the new post-COVID era, things look to be in good shape for a nearly “normal” July, and we are more than ready for it! But there is still plenty of work to be done before then.

The USJN Big East Showcase was one such stop as teams prepare for the end of the NCAA DI Dead Period. And with over 30 DII, DIII and Junior College Coaches in attendance in person at the Philadelphia Expo Center this weekend and over 70 more watching the live stream from home, several players seized the moment to do more than just accrue game film.

With nearly 60 teams gathering in the suburbs of Philadelphia, there was plenty to see, and yet one could spend some time watching every team in attendance. We saw some great match-ups, some established veterans from the Northeast, and also some very intriguing youngsters who are full speed ahead into the summer months!

For full USJN event coverage, results, and pool all-stars, you can visit the link below:

https://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=714

And now for the meat and potatoes here, the players! Here is a small contingent of the performers who impressed us this weekend.

Lainey Allen – 2022 – 6-1 – Forward – Lady Runnin Rebels 17 – Good partner for guards in the screen and roll game…Notice the build and frame from a distance…Boards it in traffic…Some impressive put backs to contribute to the scoring effort

Breelyn Bender – 2024 – 6-1 – Forward – In the Zone Platinum 15 Turpening – A good rebounder…Has clearly been taught how to pivot out and find that outlet in a hurry…Good passer…Keeps O boards high and sticks them right back up and in…Aggressive side on D with some nice shot rejections

Addison Benner – 2025 – 5-8 – Wing – In the Zone Platinum 14 – Good size and length…Active…Pulled up in the high post…Solid athlete and the fundamentals are settling in nicely…Moves without the ball…Occasional three…Can handle to beat you to the rack 1 on 1

Ahtiana Benway – 2023 – 5-6 – Combo Guard – RI Breakers 16 – Plenty of confidence pulling up and hitting the contested three…Good feel for the game overall…Gets to the rim…Shot creator at times…Very solid showing

Dylan Burke – 2024 – 6-0 – Forward – Fencor 16 Andre – Has a chance…Really smooth catch, couple dribbles, and finish in motion on the run…12-15 foot range and shot isn’t bad for her age…Good size, length, and movements

Casey Campo – 2022 – 5-11 – Wing/Forward – Premier Basketball NY 17 Martin – Active and athletic…Certainly flies around out there…Handles well and can take people off the bounce…Lefty…Can hit the three

Isabella Casey – 2024 – 5-9 – Guard – Lady Runnin Rebels 15 – High energy and solid skill wise…Have to guard her from three…But also will put her head down and just get to the rim…Plays tough style of basketball

Tyler Dendy – 2024 – 5-9 – Wing – Hoopers NY 17 Dunn Blue – Scorer out on the wing…Really thrives on the attack, with plenty of straight line burst and an array of finishes…Hangs to score in a crowd…Clear appetite for the transition game

Samantha Eller – 2026 – 5-10 – Wing – Potomac Valley Classics 14 – Off to a good start…Keeps things simple offensively and finds success…Handles fine in the open floor…Basic pull up jumper is in line…Smart, strong passer…Already scoring at every level of the defense a bit

Ashari Emuze – 2025 – 5-3 – Point Guard – Hoopers NY 14 Johnson – Did some nice things pushing it in trans…Showed ability to score or dish…Good athlete…Something here for sure, see how high school goes

Maya Gray – 2024 – 5-6 – Combo Guard – Team Melo 15 – Physically strong combo…Wants to penetrate, get airborne, and get contact and/or lay ups…Successful in doing so at a good rate…Has the ability to will in some jumpers but still seeking consistency to reach the next level of her game…Still has some time, and that blow by speed is a weapon

CiCi Hernandez – 2024 – 5-6 – Point Guard – In the Zone Platinum 15 Turpening – Silky smooth PG…Has a flow to her game…Shot is tight and compact…Falls from deep and in the mid-range…Very good passer…Saw some really physical finishing for a guard….Complete player…Stock creeping up this summer

Riley Holliday – 2023 – 6-0 – Forward – Team Melo 16 – A big body inside…Demonstrated some levity to finish inside…Will face up a bit, and showcased some solid footwork and strong finishing…Cleaned up some on the offensive glass…Played well

Lola Ibarrondo – 2024 – 5-7 – Combo Guard – Mid Atlantic Magic 15 – Will surprise with some sudden burst and flash with the basketball in her hands…Good body control off the dribble…Either pushing tempo herself or running the floor…Can hit the three one possession and get to the rim next time

Emilia Johnson – 2022 – 6-0 – Wing – 4SH 17 Shehady – Can really get hot and drain the three ball early and often…Solid passer…Scores off basket cuts…Wings at her size always catch some eyes when they fill it up from deep

Aidan Langley – 2024 – 6-0 – Forward – Chester County Storm 16 Evans – Strong built forward prospect…Willingness to work in post areas is there…Plays hard…Still young so there’s growth potential on the basketball end

Mickelle Lowry – 2024 – 5-9 – Wing – Team Melo 15 – Loves the baseline area offensively…Tons of catch and shoot jumpers, from 15ft and three…Really rises up and has a high, fluid release…Has a runner in the lane…Fast on her feet defensively

Aliya McIver – 2023 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Hoopers NY 17 Dunn Blue – Has a little more height than most PG’s she faced here and that helped…Good athleticism…Handles the ball…Makes her foul shots

Aryss Macktoon – 2023 – 5-11 – Wing – Team Melo 16 – Freak athlete alert…Rips down rebounds in traffic with one hand no problem…Slashes to the basket…Pull up is also an option…Gets out in a flash on the break…Dangerous for opponents, especially on the break and in the press

Kara Meredith – 2023 – 6-0 – Forward – Mid Atlantic Magic 16 – Can do some things inside and out on both sides of the ball…Nice job hedging and trapping ball screens…Has some basic perimeter skills…Face and drive from the outside…Rebounds out of area…Cuts hard

Jessie Moses – 2027 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Philadelphia Belles 13 Vaughn – Doing some things at her age that are pretty unbelievable…No look bounce passes in transition are nice…Deep 3 range at this early stage already…Well on her way

Lizzie Neville – 2022 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Keystone Karma 17 – Really sets the tone for her squad as a point guard…Consistent playmaker all weekend…Clean rips from opposing ball handlers and immediately off the other direction…Attacks off ball screens…Good for a couple from deep every game…Did a lot for her team

Ana Pellecchia – 2024 – 5-8 – Combo Guard – Philadelphia Belles 17 Steidle – Lefty lead guard who can flat out score…Hits the deep jumper in even big moments, and is super capable at getting to the basket, especially going left…Was really hard to stop…Does a really nice job of catching in triple threat and making the right play

Maretta Smith – 2022 – 5-6 – Combo Guard – Philly Roots 17 – Turns the corner well…Likes to go right in particular…Will hurt you if you put her on the line…Shot the three ball consistently…Ability to make things happen

Ashley Sofilkanich – 2023 – 6-2 – Forward – Philadelphia Belles 17 Steidle – Very nice showing, and a real impact player in spurts…Will face and drive some, but bread is buttered with her back to the basket and putting it on the floor…Footwork is good…A little old school sky hook runner…Not afraid to get physical…Actually tends to play her best when she gets aggressive and grits her teeth

Rhian Stokes – 2024 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Philadelphia Belles 15 Peterson – Athletic, bouncy playmaker…Has a calming presence when she has the ball in her hands…Plenty of tips, deflection, and steals on D…Tough to the rim…Will deposit the floaters and runners right over the top once the doors to the lane are opened

Olivia Strause – 2025 – 6-0 – Forward – Potomac Valley Classics 14 – Lefty forward with good size and a solid grasp of the game so far…Protects the rim…Catches and finishes well, good job keeping the ball high above defense

Kristin Suydam – 2023 – 6-3 – Forward/Post – Premier Basketball NY 16 Riley – Nice player with some skill at her size…Some basic back to basket maneuvers and can finish over the shoulder…Likes to turn left, finish right…Good help defender…Will step out and take a couple of jump shots

Jordin Tate – 2025 – 6-0 – Wing – Delco Goats 14 Port – Versatile player who certainly asserts herself…Fluid with the ball in the open floor…Gets to the rim off the bounce with frequency…Reverse finishes…Able to back defenders down and has an advanced little turnaround game when she gets where she wants to be…Maturity is physical and with her game…One to notice

Nicole Timko – 2023 – 5-9 – Wing – Philadelphia Belles 17 Peterson – Smart, effective, high effort kid…Really embraces position-less basketball philosophy…Lots of lay ups but can also hit shots from the outside…Rebounds come from her early work to box and then just pure fight…Double-doubles are doable…Just plays and does a little bit of this and that

Kailey Turpening – 2022 – 5-8 – Combo Guard – In the Zone Platinum 17 – Crafty, clutch lead guard…Rapid fire passer after seeing things develop very well…Plays hard on both ends…Showed a mid range game and the trey off the catch is effective…Communicates with her teammates offensively, even without the ball in her hands…Glue player for her team

Sophia Yearwood – 2022 – 5-11 – Wing/Forward – Premier Basketball NY 17 Martin – Lanky wing…Attacks off the jab some…Nice ups to board and then pushes the other way with pace…Volume rebounder…Just makes things happen…Shot 3 but room to grow as a shooter