CHEVY CHASE, D.C.—Few people are more vested in the grassroots girls basketball of their area than Lisa Bodine. The longtime coach and evaluator carries the banner of the DMV (Metropolitan D.C., Maryland and Virginia) with pride and is consistent about stepping up on behalf of local players and teams. Her commitment extends to the gym and for the fourth consecutive year she produced a premier educational and developmental showcase for an elite group of DMV underclassmen.
The Rites of Passage, an invitation only event, brought together 41 players representing the 2018, 19 and 20 classes along with one standout who’ll graduate in 2024. The event focused on skill development and utilized an all-female on floor staff that included the likes of Lindsay Allen (Notre Dame), De’Janae Boykin (Verbal – UConn) and Anna Wilson (Verbal – Stanford) for hands on work with the young athletes who attended at no cost to them or their families. In addition, parents on hand had the opportunity for a question and answer session with evaluators and former college recruiters as well as standout high school coaches and a parent who has successfully navigated the recruiting process two separate times.
While just a one day event the evaluators and media were out in force with over 10 individuals taking notes courtside. Here are several quickhitters from the deep pool of promising talent on hand at St. John’s College High School Saturday. We have purposely left out heights and positions at this point because of where they stand in the physical maturation process and their ongoing evolution as players. In addition, we’ll have plenty of time to talk in the future about already well known 2024 Kiyomi McMiller.
Janiah Henson – 2019 – Baltimore, Md.- Explosive athlete…First step…Strong ballhandling and passing…Sharp crossover
Lauren Park-Lane – 2019 – Wilmington, Pa. – Great handles…Attacks…Court vision is there…Both pull up and range
Chloe Chapman – 2019 – Mitchellville, Md. – Dynamic ballhandler…Attacks with change of speed and direction…Advanced understanding of the game…Special
Jasha Clinton – 2020 – Norfolk, Va. – Quick…Individual skills…Crossover…Finishes…Defends…Jumps into passing lanes
Nia Clouden – 2018 – Owings Mills, Md. – Long, athletic build…Creates…Good passing and court vision…Midrange…Defends
Taleah Dixon – 2018 – Cantonsville, Md. – Length…Creates…Gets deep in the paint…Good defender
Taylor Geiman – 2019 – Glenville, Pa. – Continues to impress…Solid size and build…Great understanding…Skilled
Excellanxt Greer – 2019 – Crofton, Md. – Lefty…Attacking guard…Sharp ballhandling…Step back…Finishes in traffic…Good instincts…Defends
Kailyn Shepherd – 2019 – Merchantville, N.J. – Wiry guard…Athletic…Attacks…Solid defender
Samantha Brunelle – 2019 – Ruckersville, Va. – Wing with size and build…Effective scorer inside – out…Has range…Can create her own…Great mentality
Taylor Clayborn – 2018 – Upper Marlboro, Md. – Physically strong athlete…Penetrates…Finishes in transition…Floater…Rebounded well…Defended
Asia Deal – 2018 – Norfolk, Va. – Agile guard…Strong individual skills…Vision and passing on the attack…Form and touch…Rebounded well…Scrappy
Jasmine Dickey – 2018 – Baltimore, Md. – Active athlete with a high motor…Got to the rim and finished…Floater…Jumper is there…Active on both boards…Solid defense
Hannah Franklin – 2018 – Severn, Md. – Good handles…Fed the post…Penetrates well herself…Good on ball defender
Shawn Mills – 2018 – Sterling, Va. – Lefty…Solid build…Court vision and passing…Mid-range is there…Makes plays
Makayla Pippin – 2018 – Severn, Md. – Strong with size…Works well down low and out to the elbows…Some ballhandling…Attacks the glass…Physical defender
Jakia Turner – 2019 – Temple Hills, Md. – Length…Gets off the floor…Active…Penetrates and finishes…Works defensively
Jasmen Walton – 2018 – Baltimore, Md. – Athletic…Court vision…High IQ…Hustles…Makes plays
Amira “Mimi” Collins – 2018 – La Plata, Md. – Size and length….Frame to grow…Runs the floor…Nice low post game…Passing is there…Rebounds with authority
Rochelle Norris – 2018 – Stafford, Va. – Lots of size…Raw but promising…Wingspan…Plenty of upside
Rachael Stovall – 2018 – Hopewell, Va. – Size and frame with strength…Can put it on the floor…Stroke is there…Rolling hook…Low post defender…Efficient on the boards
