ESPNHS Girl’s Basketball Showcase

ORLANDO, Fla. – Every year the number of non NCAA Certified events between the Spring Evaluation weekend and the two 10 day July periods grows substantially.  The quality of those events continues to grow as well as evidenced by last weekend’s ESPNHS Girls’ Basketball Showcase at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.  Beginning the week with the first training camp for this year’s USA Basketball U17 and U18 teams followed by Thursday night’s exhibitions for both squads with Brazil and wrapping up with an exciting 16 team ninth grade showcase it truly was “Tomorrowland” for women’s basketball.  To further emphasize the point, both the semi-finals and the championship game were broadcast live on ESPN 3 and Blue Star Media was on hand from tip to final buzzer.

Link to USA Brazil coverage on Blue Star Media http://www.bluestarmedia.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=258:usa-vs-brazil

While the competition may have featured the next generation of players, many of the clubs on hand have a long, established history of success and producing talented college prospects.  Teams from eight states took part in the four pool tournament leading into Saturday afternoon’s bracket play. 

Quarterfinal results were as follows…

In the two semifinal match ups Sunday Morning…

The championship game saw some role reversal for the Gauchos.  In the majority of their contests over the weekend they would dig themselves a hole or start slowly before making a late run to take care of business.  The final saw the folks from New York jump out quickly and hold the lead throughout the game.  Cy-Fair, who had taken the opposite path through pool play with early runs, was slow out of the gate and spent the majority of the game scrambling to close the gap and position themselves for an opportunity in the end.  There was just 2:15 remaining when they took their first lead which they ultimately converted into the final 54 – 49 margin for the title.  Defense sealed the win for the Texans as they forced the Gauchos to use 22 seconds off the shot clock on their last possession when trailing by just three resulting in an offensive foul rather than shot attempt.  Very early Baylor commit Alexandria Gulley paced Cy-Fair throughout the event.  Fellow guard Erica Sanders had some impressive runs as well including a strong and instrumental semifinal second half.  Yadira Ramirez offered up some key moments on the wing as did forward Adeola Akomolafe.

Prentice Beverly and I take a look at our five Blue Star Media Premier Performers as well as several other athletes that made the most of their weekend in the Sunshine State.

Some Standouts from Mark Lewis

While teammate Aliyah Jeune may have been lighting things up from the perimeter for the New York Gauchos it was dynamic point guard Lauren Brozoski (Cambria Heights, N.Y.) who was the catalyst for their run to the finals in Orlando.  Of course, if you’re going to carry the nickname “Boogie” you better be able to make things happen and this 2015 standout does just that and more.  Pushing the ball at every opportunity, the 5-5 Brozoski sets a pace that not only challenges defenders but forces her teammates to get out and run the lanes as well.  In the halfcourt she gets into the paint with ease and is impressive with her reads and decisions as defenders rotate her way.  Her own scoring is sound both off the pull up and spotting up on the perimeter but it’s her ability to improve her teammate’s looks off her penetration that really sets her apart.  On the defensive end calling her feisty might be an understatement.  She’s active and aggressive forcing opposing ballhandlers to protect the ball or pay the price.  Though somewhat limited in physical size at this point, her game is showing big time promise and possibilities.  Opponents and recruiters should be watching her closely. 

Cy-Fair’s championship effort saw several of their players step up at critical times.  However it was the play of 5-9 combo guard Alexandria Gulley (Dallas, Texas) that was the constant that kept the Texans on the plus side of the scoreboard throughout the competition.  With the ball in her hands the 2015 Baylor early verbal demonstrated a consistency in the ability to create her own looks and challenge opposing defensive strategies.  What made her even more productive was some sharp interior passing that kept rotating defenders guessing and hesitant to commit at times.  Gulley is more than adept at exploiting that hesitation both with a pull up and an uncanny floater that made its way into the net more times than not.  Her solid build offers up some surprising strength for her age and allows her to protect the ball both on the dribble and as she slashes in traffic for the shot.  Leaving her open or closing out with any cushion is an invitation to give up points as she’s consistent and fundamental from the perimeter.  While she’s a solid athlete she did have a few moments on the defensive end that exceptional speed and quickness challenged her.  With three more years for Mother Nature, high school basketball and some watchful eyes from Waco to sharpen things up you can bet she’ll ultimately be an impact player on “D” as well.

Watching the Wisconsin Playground Elite in action it’s hard not to take notice of explosive guard Arike Ogunbowale.  But if you really know the game and look even closer at productivity you’re going to be impressed by2015 wing/forward Akayla Hayes (Milwaukee, Wisc.) as well.  Somewhat undersized at 5-9 she’s the kind of player that inserts herself into play after play on both ends of the floor throughout every game.  Agile and athletic, Hayes slithers and slashes through traffic to get herself deep in the paint and make things happen.  Her ballhandling is sound but will need to be expanded and refined as she ultimately settles in on the perimeter down the road.  The form and touch are there on her shot to keep defenders honest and to make her an inside-out threat.  At this point, however, she is equally effective, if not more so, around the rim as she is catching the ball on the wing.  Not many rebounds are going to come off her way that won’t end up in her hands, particularly on the offensive end.  Defensively the footspeed and agility are there to match up with any guard and the aggressiveness is in place to mix it up with those she may give up a few inches to.  It should be an important summer for Hayes and her future.

The Carolina All-Stars made it out of pool competition only to see their weekend come to an end in the first game of bracket play.  You didn’t have to see more than one game to take notice of forward Mone Jones (Durham, N.C.) and her potential.  Jones is no secret and has been on the recruiting radar for some time now and continues to evolve as a prospect that should have more than her share of top tier choices when she decides on her colligate future.  Standing 6-2 with a lean and athletic build she has the physical tools to make an impact at the highest level.  There’s plenty of agility and quickness to go with that size and it makes her a difficult match up.  She’s active without the ball and on the catch is quick to attack the rim.  She can create her own from the elbow or short corners and showed a comfort and touch out to 10 or 12 feet.  Defensively she’s a presence with both her size and quickness on rotations from the weak side of the floor.  It doesn’t appear at this point that physical play is a real preference for her but the frame is there for some added strength down the line that could help her at the very physical higher levels of play.

Every team loves to have that one player that you can put the ball in her hands and know that she’s going to create something.  The Philadelphia Belles have more than just one that fits that bill but none that can do it like 2015 5-7 point guard Taylor Murray (Odenton, Md.).  Murray combines quickness and speed with some sharp, refined individual skills to make her a factor on the break and in halfcourt sets.  When she squares up she’s reading not only her own defender but the entire floor looking to attack and exploit.  The ball skills standout but it’s also her use of both a change of speed and change of direction that gets defenders out of their stance and allows her to get to the rim.  Penetrating so much you don’t get a lot of looks at the perimeter stroke but the form and mechanics are there.  The consistency from deep will be critical to her game to keep close outs tight and allowing her to drive.  The same quickness and speed she uses with the ball puts her in a position to be an impact on ball defender as well.  The lateral speed helps her turn and dictate to ballhandlers forcing them to make early entries affecting offensive spacing.  On the weak side she does tend to stand up a bit or become a bit ball oriented but few her age stay in their stance for an entire possession.

One of the more impressive rosters from top to bottom in Orlando was that of Florida based Essence.  Standing out among that group might be a challenge but 2015 6-1 forward Zada Williams (Lake Wales, Fla.) offered up some play that set her apart from the crowd.  Explosive and physically strong, she has the tools to make plays at both ends and the capacity to do so dramatically.  Offensively she’s active both roaming the high post and slashing in the paint.  The ability is there to finish around the rim and there’s a jump hook that will give any defender a headache or a seat on their bench.  If she’s not the outlet she gets out and runs the floor with the guards challenging her match up to keep up with her.  Defensively she’s a factor but has a tendency to rely more on her physical tools rather than positioning.  True, she can jump out of the gym but out of position it’s irrelevant and costly.  On the other hand, she’s a presence on the glass at both ends and could be one of the top rebounders in her class.  Williams is just scratching the surface and may only be limited by how much work she’s willing to do.  It’s up to her.   

Several More from Prentice Beverly  

Gaucho’s guard and Rutgers’s commit Aliyah Jeune (Delran, N.J.) had a shooting performance reminiscent of former NBA future Hall of Famer Reggie Miller’s 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals game versus the New York Knicks.  In Game 1 in New York, it was Miller Time as he amazingly scored 8 points in the final 18.7 seconds: a 3, followed by stealing the inbounds pass and another 3 to tie the game and 2 free throws, erasing the Knicks’ 105-99 lead and stealing the game 107-105.  With her New York Gauchos down 47-38, the 6-0 Jeune hit a 3 to make it 47-41. She then scored on a driving floater with 3:44 left.  The Philly Belles were up 49-43 with 2:15 left when Jeune did her version and New York’s answer to Miller Time.  She hit a 3 to make it a one possession game 49-46. Following a steal Jeune hit a corner 3 making it 49-49 1:45 left.  After a Philly Belles miss free throw, Jeune, with 6-6 shot blocker Cheyenne Hooper closing out on her, drilled the final dagger 52-49 1:04 remaining .  The Belles answered back with a bucket and a Gauchos free throw rounded out the scoring 53-51.  Jeune had 14 points in 4 minutes helping her team advance to the finals.  Jeune can definitely fill it up from the outside as well as get to the hole.  Although she played well her game is still evolving.  Jeune must learn to move without the ball and turn up the defensive intensity.  Jeune should be considered one of the best shooters in her class.

In sports we are always looking for the NEXT great player. The NBA had Julius Erving (Dr. J) followed by Magic Johnson then Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant and sooner or later the so called torch will be passed to Lebron James.  If you’re looking for a viable candidate for a female version of the NEXT I suggest you take a look 5-10 guard Arike Ogunbowale (Milwaukee, Wisc.).  If you think it’s hard pronouncing her name try defending her one on one.  The 5-10 Ogunbowale of the Wisconsin Playground has patterned her game after Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant all the way down to wearing number 24.  She has a killer crosser over step back shot, a sweet midrange jumper, an effective floater in the lane all highlighted by the fact that Ogunbowale loves to attack.  But the comparisons don’t stop there.  Ogunbowale can knock down the 3 point shot, post up smaller guards, create opportunities for herself or teammates with her great court vision and passing.  Ogunbowale even drew double and triple teams that didn’t make her blink.  She plays with the same Kobe swag at both ends.  Summing it up, she’s is a scorer with an all-around game and can’t miss BCS prospect.  

If its true college coaches are always looking for a shooter then they should look no further then 5-9 Georgia Pistol guard Te’Erica Eason (Atlanta, Ga.).   Eason can flat out shoot the rock she knocked down multiple 3 pointers in the quarter finals of the ESPNHS Showcase.  Eason also showed that she can stroke the mid-range shot as well as attack off the bounce. At 5-9 she also rebounds exceptionally well for her position. Eason made several key baskets in a highly contested and physical game.  Eason is a very strong on ball defender that both anticipates and jumps into passing lanes with impressive quickness.  She also pressured her opponent into several turnovers and was responsible for multiple steals.  Eason has a very smooth game that will translate to a lot of attention from college scouts.

Yadira Ramirez (El Paso, Texas) is a feisty crafty player that does all the intangibles that all coaches love.  She stroked multiple treys and finished well off the break.  The 5-11 Cy-Fair wing also attacked the rim; and either produced in the paint or dropped dimes to her teammates. Ramirez also displayed a nice mid-range touch. Defensively, she aggressively guarded the NY Gauchos top offense threat Aliyah Jeune limiting her touches in crunch time.  Ramirez likes the physical aspects of the game and uses them to her advantage.  Simply put, she finds a way to make plays to help her team win.  Ramirez is an all-around player with a knack for making big plays and will make the program that lands her very happy. 

Every coach worldwide loves a player that competes on every play, is fundamentally sound, defends well and can flat out shoot. West Virginia native Annalee Hammaker brings all of these things to the table and more for the Philadelphia Belles.  Hammaker showed the ability to knock down the midrange jumper and was be sniper from behind the arc.   She effortlessly drained multiple 3pt shots. The 5-9 Hammaker displayed that she can run the point or shooting guard.  She handles the ball well with either hand and is a very good passer with deceptive speed. She also showed that she is a solid on ball defender with sound principals and concepts. Hammaker is not flashy but she gets the job done.  She has a college frame and should be considered a BCS prospect.

This 5-6 speedy 2016 point guard from Essence played extremely well.  Kayla Rogers, a Florida product herself, had her entire repertoire on display.  She used a killer crossover coupled with her explosive first step to attack the paint looking to score or dish to slashing teammates.  Rogers used her speed and quickness to get out and finish off the break while weaving in and out of traffic handling the rock equally well with both hands.  She also showed that she can consistently stroke the midrange jumper as well as be a threat from beyond the arc.  Rogers demonstrated the ability to translate her speed and athleticism into dividends on the defensive end by forcing turnovers and cashing in on the ensuing possession. She’s definitely a point guard on the rise and with continued development has a chance to very good.  Keep your eyes on this one.

Additional article contribution by Prentice Beverly.