NAPLES, Fla.—The holidays may have come and gone but the cleanup of celebrations and decorations continues as does our coverage of some of the talent that helped us ring in the New Year. The 16th annual Naples Holiday Shootout provided the chance to see plenty of high profile talent as well as some emerging young prospects that should make a splash in 2015.
Our first coverage from Naples highlighted the success of Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) and North Little Rock (North Little Rock, Arkansas) as they both went home 3 and 0 with bragging rights to division championships. You can also check out tournament MVP Boogie Brozoski from and the rest of the All-Star team at the link below.
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Well-known players like Sophie Cunningham (Rockbridge – Columbia, Mo.), Erin Boley (Elizabethtown – Elizabethtown, Ky.) and Faith Suggs (Homewood-Flossmoor – Flossmoor, Ill.) were on hand in Naples as were plenty of other known, unknown and young prospects. Today we’ll take a look at some of the other standouts who played among the palm trees in Florida last week.
SENIOR MOMENTS
You would be hard pressed to find another point guard in the 2015 class who can control the tempo of a game the way North Little Rock (North Little Rock, Ark.) senior Malica Monk can. From make, miss or turnover the 5-5 speedster is on the attack and creating havoc for the opposition. On the catch her acceleration is the kind of things football coaches look for in big time receivers. Her sharp, quick and low ballhandling navigates traffic in both the halfcourt and transition. She has a crossover that leaves defenders standing and gets her deep in the paint. The vision and passing are there but she’s at her best creating her own looks. Monk, an Arkansas signee, takes on contact effectively but can utilize the pull up if need be while finishing consistently from virtually any range. The same speed and quickness that allows her to push the pace of the game offensively makes her a strong defender on ball and off.
While Boogie Brozoski may be the high profile face of Long Island Lutheran, there’s plenty of talent surrounding her on the well-coached Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) squad. Senior post Taylor Byrne had an All-Star performance in Naples including a championship game sealing three pointer against Miami Country Day (Miami Shores, Fla.). At 6-1 Byrne has a solid frame and build plus has no reservations about putting a body on the opposition at either end of the floor. She operates well within an offensive set but also has the ability to create her own from the elbow or down on the block. There’s no flash to her game just simple, textbook and efficient basketball. Add to that the willingness to work as well as the fact that everything she does is with intent and you’re going to have some strong numbers on the stat sheet. Bound for Seton Hall, Byrne is a presence on the boards and an assertive defender. In addition to holding her ground against posting match-ups she’s quick to rotate from the weakside and take charges when the opportunity presents itself.
Even with the bevy of talent on hand no player may have stood out more individually than future North Carolina Tar Heel Destinee Walker. The Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, Fla.) guard may be one of the most dynamic scholastic players in the country with the ball in her hands. Off the dribble she can create in a variety of ways but adds an explosive athleticism to the recipe to make the results entertaining as well as productive. If you’re looking for the poster child for the utilization of a change of speed and direction off the dribble, Walker is your girl. Combine that with a deadly first step and you’ve got defenses second guessing themselves from tip to buzzer. Her step back leads to separation and time for good looks off impressive elevation. When she takes it deep into traffic she can and will deliver the sharp interior pass if the rotations come her way. Defensively she takes some chances at times but has the tools to make them pay off more often than not. Walker was recognized on the All – Tournament team.
The whole basketball community has watched Boogie Brozoski play for years now and it’s hard to imagine that she’s had many performances beyond her effort in Naples. In leading Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) to the American Division title she contributed in virtually every way a coach could want from their point guard. Shooting the ball well deep, off the pull up or in traffic, the Michigan signee kept defenders honest and capitalized on the opportunities high percentages created for the rest of her attack. The 5-5 playmaker improved both looks and passes off the dribble while breaking down defensive schemes at will. Her decisions and composure were sharp across all three games and the consistency was there that separates top tier players from the rest of the crowd. She was harassing and quick on the ball defensively while somewhat loose on the weakside of the floor at times. Her Most Valuable Player honors were well earned and much deserved.
COMODITIES AND FUTURES
We saw St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) just over a month ago at the Turkey Jamm in Murfreesboro, Tenn. In that short period of time it’s easy to see advancements and refinements in the play of sophomore Kasiyahna Kushkituah. The 6-3 post is an imposing presence both in her build and her athleticism. All of her movement both in the halfcourt and running the floor has a fluidity that is hard to find among the bigs these days. In Naples she had a more assertive approach to her offensive attack down on the block than we had seen previously. On occasion she has her mind made up and should read defenders a bit more but there’s no doubt she’s playing with a proactive mindset. The quick spin move off the catch is becoming a challenging thing for opponents and getting Kushkituah clean looks at the rim. In addition, she’s protecting the ball much better keeping it high and going up with authority. There also appears to be a strong embrace off the opportunity for offensive rebounds. Finding her way to the line by virtue of her aggressive attack also revealed the need for some additional time and reps from the stripe in practice.
Miami Country Day (Miami Shores, Fla.) came up one game short falling in the American Division final to Boogie and company. One part of a strong sophomore backcourt duo for the Lady Spartans is combo guard Channise Lewis. Partnering with Kelsey Marshall, Lewis challenges the opposition on virtually every possession. At 5-8 she’s quick, athletic and pushing the ball at every opportunity. Her handle is sharp and gets her past even the most aggressive defenders. The acceleration forces rotations and creates possibilities for both her and her teammates. Her form is sound and she can spot up from deep or deliver on the pull up from mid-range off the drive. Lewis also dropped in few floaters that would be tough for any opponent to contest. Her shot selection will need to evolve to some degree to keep defenders more honest and several passes she delivered confirmed she has the tools to distribute the ball effectively.
If you like seeing elite young prospects add to and refine their game, keep watching St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.) freshman forward / post Amira Collins. We saw her earlier in December at the Tina Thompson “She Got Game” Classic and it’s obvious there’s a focus on taking steps and advancing her skill sets. This time out she was active with and without the ball while getting out and running the floor in transition. Versatile at 6-3, she’s a challenge for bigger defensive match ups to chase around and she’s exploiting that advantage. Collins is really beginning to create her options off strong cuts that come with the understanding of what she’s looking for on the catch. In the paint she’s beginning to go up with more strength and authority and even called on a jump hoop a time or two. From the perimeter the shot still comes off the shoulder a bit to start but is clean up top and released high (see photo). Part of a young and talented team, Collins and her teammates claimed two out of three games before heading north.
Argyle (Argyle, Texas) finished last season as state runner up and with the promising play of Vivian Gray just might take that one last step this year. Gray, a 6-1 sophomore, demonstrated a combination of size and skills that should serve her well now and in the future. Her build is long and lean but she’s willing to go low and post or catch the entry on the wing and create off the dribble. The ball skills are in place to put it on the floor effectively as well as deliver the sharp pass when needed. Gray had good form from the perimeter but also showed off a solid pull up on occasion. She has a good understanding of the game and cuts effectively with intent. Though not carrying a lot of “bulk”, she was efficient mixing things up in the paint and delivered on the offensive boards. The diversity in her skill set and the fast track she’s on should provide plenty of options at the next level. Gray was recognized on the All-tournament team for the event.
While Destinee Walker may be the marquee player for Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, Florida) opponents have the headache of having to deal with junior Jordan Lewis as well. A physically strong combo guard, Lewis has the ability to step up and produce big numbers of her own. Though standing just 5-7, her strength almost demands a bigger defender. However that comes with a price as she is quick to attack and has a first step on par with anyone at the high school level. The mentality is there to push the ball from every scenario and the ball handling is there to make that pay off. She gets defenders out of their stance with a change of speed and gives them no chance to recover with her assertive approach. Lewis gets off the floor on her pull up but is just as adept taking it all the way to the rim. Defensively she’s quick laterally and can be a ballhandler’s nightmare anytime she wants.
We mentioned the talented, young St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.) team earlier and another promising element in Coach Jonathan Scribner’s arsenal is Aisha Sheppard. The 5-10 sophomore is quick, long and athletic at the #2 spot and plays with plenty of effort and intensity. Her individual skills allow her to create and get into traffic. The plus there is that she can deliver as a scorer but also demonstrated that her interior passing is going to keep her teammates happy and on the receiving end of some good looks. The jumper is there and necessitates the close out from defenders that will allow Sheppard to play her game. On ball she’s an aggressive defender while anticipates well from the weakside of the floor.
If you watch Elizabethtown (Elizabethtown, Ky.) play your first instinct is to take notice of junior Notre Dame verbal commitment Erin Boley or evolving senior post and Louisiana Tech signee Reauna Cleaver. However, if you look just a little closer you’re going to quickly notice a little youth in the mix of things for Coach Tim Mudd. Sophomore point guard Jada Stinson has all the tools to be an impact backcourt presence at the next level. At 5-6 with a wiry build, she’s deceptively quick with plenty of speed. The lefthander is good one on one and has sharp, quick ballhandling that is tough to defend. Stinson reads the floor and has the ability to make plays on the break or in the halfcourt. Though she defers to a veteran roster to a great degree the tools are there to produce now and serve her well down the road at the next level.
Autumn Newby of Archer (Lawrenceville, Ga.) is not a new name to those following the scholastic scene but now as a sophomore appears to be ready to take her game to another level. The 6-1 forward is playing much more assertively and is showing more and more diversity in her game. Still a solid and reliable presence on the block, the sophomore is now stepping out to the wing more and has the stroke to force defenders to extend from their comfort zones. Nobody is advocating the perimeter for her long term future but the depth of her game will continue to set her apart from the crowd. Beyond her own scoring, the capacity is there to pass the ball in traffic plus her reads are serving her better each time out. She’ll need to be more active when she doesn’t have the ball in her hands just to keep defenders playing her straight up but that should come with time.
QUICKHITTERS
Tanaya Beacham – Rogers (Toledo, Ohio) – 6-1 – forward – 2016 – Xavier verbal – Physically strong…Runs the floor…Spin move…Some one on one skills…Rebounds well
Kyra Collier – North Little Rock (North Little Rock, Ark.) – 5-8 – guard – 2016 – Has some tools…Can slash…Some passing skills…Handles contact…Steps into her shot…Solid defender
Taja Cummings – St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) – 5-3 – point guard – 2017 – Small but strong…Lots of quickness…Attacks…Penetrates with good interior passing…Crossover
Jakia Davis – Barron Collier (Naples, Fla.) – 5-11 – forward – 2015 – Athlete plus…Active…Vertical…Shot fake and drive…Jump hook…Floater…Position?
Maya Dodson – St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) – 6-1 – forward – 2017 – Explosive athlete…Gets off the floor…Active with and without the ball…Finishes at the rim…Boards…Plays on the front of the press
Paloma Gragera – Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) – 6-1 – wing / forward – 2016 – Solid size and build…Has some perimeter skills…Understands the game…Physically strong…Works
Destanni Henderson – Fort Myers (Fort Myers, Fla.) – 5-8 – combo – 2018 – Athletic young guard…Speed with the ball…Individual skills…Reads and Creates…Needs to make defense a bigger priority
Angela Jernigan – Edgewater (Orlando, Fla.) – 5-8 – point guard – 2015 – Earned All – Tournament honors…Lots of speed with the ball…Strong individually…Good decisions in traffic…Shot selection needs sharpening at times…Unsigned with promise
Akienreh Johnson – Rogers (Toledo, Ohio) – 6-0 – wing / forward – 2016 – Michigan verbal – Makes plays…First step…Active…Range…Floater…Anticipates on defense…Needs to value the possession more at times
Brogan Jones – North Little Rock (North Little Rock, Ark.) – 6-4 – post – 2016 – Drop step is there…Active without the ball…Will post…Can run the floor…Ability to create her own?
Koi Love – Lake Highland Prep (Orlando Fla.) – 5-10 – wing – 2019 – Athlete with size on the perimeter…Agile and active…Has form on spot up and jumper…Defends…Tools to be a major prospect
Kelsey Marshall – Miami Country Day (Miami Shores, Fla.) – 5-8 – guard – 2017 – Nice athlete…Jumper is there with good elevation…Ballhandling…Change of speed…Individual skills…Defends
Danae Miller – Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) – 5-8 – combo – 2017 – Quick and athletic…Change of speed…One on one skills…Pull up is there
Madison Newby – Archer (Lawrenceville, Ga.) – 5-7 – guard – 2015 – Georgia State signee…Creates…Hesitation move…Interior passing…Cuts without the ball
Sarah Overcash – St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.) – 6-1 – forward – 2016 – All – Tournament team…Simply effective…Finishes inside…Midrange is there…Physical…Not afraid of contact…Underrated
Victoria Patrick – Edgewater (Orlando, Fla.) – 5-6 – guard – 2016 – Jumper…Has range…Sharp passing at times…Fires away…Needs more depth to game but has tools
Nani Redford – Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) – 5-6 – guard – 2015 – Harvard bound…Quick and athletic…Makes plays…Active at both ends…Gets to the rim…Strong on ball defender
Eva Rubin – Homewood-Flossmoor (Flossmoor, Ill.) – 6-4 – post – 2017 – Improving and refining…Size and frame…High post drive…Jump hook…Effective on the boards…Must react quicker on defense
Nichel Tampa – St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) – 5-4 – point guard – 2017 – Wiry build…Very quick…Lots of acceleration…Has moments…Consistency?
Bri Tollie – Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) – 6-1 – forward – 2018 – Athletic…Young…Moves well…Cuts…High post drive…Strong on the boards…Active
Madison Treece – Rockbridge (Columbia, Mo.) – 6-4 – post – 2017 – Had moments…High – low passing…Form is there from 15 feet…Can she create her own looks?
