NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. –On the heels once more of the “older kids” portion of the week, the 21strendition of the USJN 12U-16U National Championships was once again an event of monumental proportions. This year, nearly 200 teams from all over the United States as well as Canada hit the courts in search of a National Championship. When the dust settled on Sunday, five National Champions were crowned.
In the 12U final, the Potomac Valley Classics did in fact earn the victory over the Maryland Belles (12 Shabazz). However, in an ultimate display of respect and sportsmanship, the 13 year-old Classics presented their younger counterparts with the National Championship trophy anyway, knighting them the best 12 year-old team in the building.
The 13U championship was loaded with some exciting young prospects. When the final buzzer sounded however, Philly Triple Threat took home the hardware 61-43 over the Maryland Belles (13 Watson).
The road to the finals in the 14U division was very difficult, as pool play was filled with photo finishes. Both the Vogues (14 Benjamin) and the Fairfax Stars Baltimore were battle-tested heading into the rubber match. A back-and-forth affair from start to finish saw the Vogues hold on, 52-47, and hoist the trophy.
As good as the 15U division was this week in D.C., it was the grit and toughness of the Philadelphia Belles (15 Peterson) that won the day and the ultimate prize Sunday, 68-55 over a talented Team Miller (15 Chrystal).
Lastly, in the 16U bracket, an all-Pennsylvania final was awaiting us. In The Zone (Platinum 16) put on an impressive display of shooting, sharing the basketball, and teamwork to give the Philadelphia Belles (16 EYBL) their strongest test of the week. But in the end, the Belles made just a few more big plays, claiming the top position by a score of 59-49.
For full event coverage, results, and pool All-Stars, you can check out the post event page by utilizing the following link.
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=509
Also, to see our previous coverage of the 31stAnnual 17U USJN National Championships, follow the link below.
https://bluestarmedia.org/dc-31st-annual-usjn-national-championship/
Now to the notable individual performers whose play on the court caught our attention this week. As always, we evaluated a long list of talented youngsters. Here are a few of those young ladies.
Isaline Alexander – 2021 – 6-3 – Forward – Team Ontario 15 – Has it all physically…Size, length, mobility…Can bring the ball up at times…Some nice takes to the basket…Drives into the lane with some purpose
Toyin Allen – 2020 – 5-10 – Guard/Forward – Pax Premier 16 – Brings some versatility…Likely best suited on the wing at the next level…Fast up and down the floor…Taking off with the ball when she gets her hands on it…Range to the arc…Defends guards and posts effectively at this point
Alicea Bell – 2024 – 5-6 – Guard – Fairfax Stars 12 Bibbee – Continues to get to the rim at will…Effective in transition…Left handed…Can tell she’s been in the gym working on her shot some
Kelsey Bess – 2023 – 5-10 – Guard/Forward – Philly Triple Threat 13 – Good size…Ability to shoot the long jumper…Not afraid to work in the high post for some touches…Ball handling helps her drive to the basket even against smaller, quicker players
Gianni Boone – 2022 – 5-9 – Guard/Forward – Team SOL Reese 16 – Lanky driver on the wing…Quick twitch in the lower half and length up top…Ball skills and body control showing noticeable improvement…Making progress
Mei-Lin Calliste – 2022 – 5-10 – Guard – Hoopers NY 16 – Capable penetrator…Gets to foul line…Contends on boards…Not afraid to battle…Can be a good on ball defender…Hard to stay in front of…Room to grow as a shooter
Grace Clary – 2020 – 5-10 – Guard – In the Zone Platinum 16 – Shooter who necessitates defensive awareness…Deep, contested looks off the bounce are there…Has a useful floater game
Marasia Dyes – 2023 – 5-4 – Guard – Elmira Lady Fusion 13 – Smaller, quicker guard…Tight, compact pull up jumper…Developing smooth, explosive attack off the bounce…Showing patience…Long stride on the euro to finish
Jadyn Donovan – 2023 – 5-11 – Guard/Forward – Lady Prime Marissa Coleman 13 – Major athletic upside…Has the handles to attack…Gets up around the rim to finish…Sprints the floor…Big hands…Can challenge shots without fouling
Daimoni Dorsey – 2022 – 5-6 – Point Guard/Guard – Fairfax Stars 14 Baltimore – Has grown her game…Strong…Welcomes the attempted contact when she has the ball…Nice runner driving baseline…Hanging jumper from the foul line area…Showed off three point range at one point
Makenna Foder – 2022 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Philadelphia Belles 14 Ray – Handles the ball…Passes with some flash…Uses the bounce pass wisely…Sees the floor…Has a mind for the game…Sneaky good
Madison Genser – 2023 – 5-5 – Point Guard – MCW Starz 13 – Energy…Has a spunky side…No problem with a little physicality…Good ideas with the ball…Effective reverse dribble
Tatum Greene – 2024 – 5-9 – Guard – Power Move 12 – Lanky guard prospect…Clear ability to get to the rim…Impressive wingspan…Nice touch passes in transition…Quick trigger on the three…Game is suited for up tempo style…Double-double threat with strong rebounding effort
Theresa Hagans – 2025 – 5-0 – Point Guard – Apache All Stars 12 – Handles with good speed…Doesn’t allow herself to be bumped off the ball…Makes the basic decisions…Pull up jumper is very nice already…Advanced ball skills
Fiona Hastick – 2022 – 5-10 – Forward – Vogues 14 Benjamin – High volume offensive rebounder…Magnet for the ball off missed shots…Nice jumper in the 12-15 foot range…Impacts the result of a game in ways other than scoring…Can post up some…Nice drive and spin back to finish…Does a little bit of everything
Jillian Huerter – 2022 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Albany City Rocks 15 – Skilled…Advanced fundamentally…Vocal…Talks to her teammates on offense…Good passer in the pick and roll game
Meghan Huerter – 2021 – 5-9 – Guard – Albany City Rocks 15 – Serious three point threat on the wing…Nice build…Can drive as well…Made immediate impact on the offensive end…Nice use of the jab to create space
Ariel Jenkins – 2021 – 6-3 – Post – Team Miller 15 Chrystal – Huge, imposing figure in the post…Makes herself a big target…Points in the paint…Has makings of a diverse, useful move set
Jada Johnson – 2023 – 5-10 – Guard/Forward – Brooklyn Stars 14 – Great wingspan that she’s learning to use in passing lanes more…Shot is there…Nice takes in transition…Really good flashes…One to watch more
Jasmine Johnson – 2021 – 6-2 – Forward – Team Takeover 15 Johnson – Active in the post…Strong build, especially in the lower half…Energy…Physical…Mean streak to her game…Energy when she’s on the bench…Range is stretching to the arc…Potential is there
Tyler Johnson – 2023 – 6-2 – Post – BWSL Black Widows 14 Boyd – Physical attributes for age…Mobile to block shots…Made open lay ups in the paint
Ava Learn – 2021 – 6-1 – Guard/Forward – Philadelphia Belles 16 EYBL – Quietly and productive…Points, rebounds, blocks, assists…Consistent output…Huge difference-maker in big games…Knows the game well…Developing knack for hitting clutch three’s
Cassidy Mahaney – 2023 – 5-6 – Guard – Frederick’s Finest 13 – Scoring guard…Tough on the drive…Nice stroke…Can produce from deep…Off the catch or off the dribble
Christina Midgette – 2022 – 5-8 – Guard – Team Miller 15 Chrystal – Showed off widening scoring repertoire…Nice frame for the wing…Can also play some point…Will shoot the three…Needs more consistency on the follow through to make more…Closes out shooters defensively
Naja Ngongba – 2021 – 5-11 – Forward – Fairfax Stars 15 McCormick – Stretched her range to the arc…Drive and finish the and one…Passer out of the post…Has developed a turnaround jumper as well…Taking some steps
Lauren Patnode – 2023 – 5-10 – Guard/Forward – Saratoga Sparks 13 Pearson – Mature build and good size…Handles like a guard…Tendency to be around the ball…Rebounds and scores in the lane…15 foot range on the jumper
Shailyn Pinkney – 2022 – 5-8 – Point Guard – CT Spirit 14 Ruiz – Noticeable playmaker with the ball…Threat from the three point line…Able to get to the basket against high level competition…Step back jumper off the cross…Scorer at all levels
Makaela Quimby – 2023 – 5-8 – Guard – MD Belles 13 Watson – Has grown her game…Three point range…Nice floater off the bounce…Natural defender
Kiki Rice – 2022 – 5-9 – Guard – Germantown Lady Panthers 14 Seraile – Ability to get to the rim…Patience enough to score in the flow of the offense at the same time…Ultra competitive…Has a foundation in the paint that makes her good playing the wing…On ball defense is standout
Brianna Scott – 2021 – 6-0 – Forward – Matrix 16 McConnell – Nice build for age…Will take the three…Rebounds…Makes a good, decisive outlet pass, then takes off up the floor…Can score off the bounce in transition…Shot changer inside
Sydni Scott – 2022 – 5-7—Guard – Philadelphia Belles 15 Peterson – Ferocity and competitive spirit…Physical finisher…Shot the ball well
Jaelyn Talley – 2022 – 5-11 – Forward – Vogues 14 Benjamin – Finds a way to get the job done…Scoring ability in the post…Can shoot the 12 footer and drive it to the basket some…Mixes it up in the lane…Pivots through traffic with purpose and authority…Can be relentless
Kadidia Toure – 2022 – 6-0 – Forward – Germantown Lady Panthers 14 Seraile – Big time post work from her…Adds the ability to attack from the perimeter…Comfortable away from the basket…Good feet on the move set…Runs the floor
Talia Trotter – 2022 – 5-6 – Point Guard/Guard – Lady Prime Marissa Coleman 14 – Speed and quickness…Dribbling prowess to match…Strength is evident in her game…Tough to stay in front of her
Kailey Turpening – 2022 – 5-7 – Point Guard – In the Zone Platinum 16 – Vocal point guard playing up …Deadly shooter…Likes to pull it off the screens…Knowledge of the game is evident…Good passer in the ball screen action
