The fall evaluation period is always a fun challenge for me as an evaluator because I get the opportunity to watch unsigned seniors determined to make one last impression on college coaches as well as underclassmen that are still building their resumes. At the USJN Fall Finale and the DMV Showcase Classic both gyms were filled with hundreds of talent players, some nationally-ranked but others who I would consider to hidden gems. Here’s a look a five of those “gems” who did their best to shine on the court:
6-1 2013 Tiara Wood (Sidwell Friends School -Washington, D.C.) would be a welcome addition to any college looking for a strong solid post player to bang on the boards. She is a blue-collar player who can get down and dirty in the paint. Wood’s ability to take up space and get in rebounding position allow her to be effective without being the focal point of the offense.
Senior Sheila Sherrill (Thomas Edison – Alexandria, Va.) is an athletic tweener who can operate at the high or low post. At 6-1 she has the bounce to score against taller players, defensively she is quick off her feet and utilizes her length to secure rebounds that seem to be ought of her reach. Sherrill has a nice skill set right now but is nowhere close to the type of college player she projects to be in the right college system.
For those who didn’t make the trip over to the DMV Classic Showcase in Mt. Vernon, you missed a chance to see 2014 post Rennie Harrison (Team Sol/Episcopal High School – Alexandria, Va.). Harrison has managed to fly under the radar even at 6-4, but after her showing this fall her stock will be on the rise. She is a true back-to-the-basket post player with no aspirations of becoming a wing or a guard. Her fundamental post moves are basic but efficient, especially when she gets position on the low block and holds her ground. Harrison has made significant improvement in her conditioning and defensive footwork since I saw her in the summer. She is really attacking the glass, rebounding with both hands and working hard to secure the ball before making an outlet pass. Harrison has a nice upside and her best basketball is in front of her.
At 5-11 2015 Dajah Logan (MD Elite/McDonough – Owings Mill, Md.) is a power guard – a player with post strength and perimeter skills. She is very quick off the bounce and has the ability to attack the basket at rim level and once in the paint she is always going to draw contact. With her agility and size she can defend multiple positions on the floor, capable of taking away passing lanes and contest shots. Logan’s jump shot has good form and expanding her range on the perimeter will only make her an even more desirable college prospect.
Myka Johnson-Matthews (Team Xpress/Archbishop Spalding – Severn, Md.) has an impressive skill set as a lead guard; the 5-8 sophomore is a nice mix of playground flavor and basketball IQ. She is a terrific ball-handler especially in traffic, which allows her to get in the middle of the defense and create scoring opportunities for her teammates. Johnson-Matthews can handle running a team in the half-court running set plays, as well as pushing the ball in transition leading the break. One skill that stands out about her game is the ability to read-and-react; she has a knack for making quick adjustments on the floor when a set play breaks down. Myka showed she has the intangibles skills that are necessary to be a great point guard.
