NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.—While the 24 qualifying Nike EYBL teams were doing battle across the hall at the Riverview complex, 16 “junior” teams were competing for a Nike Nationals crown of their own. Junior is a relative term with 58.8 percent of all players competing in this division being members of the 2017 class including 22 of 26 lining up in the championship game. Age aside, the competition was stout and there were still plenty of prospects raising the eyebrows of some of the college recruiters courtside.
The final featured teams from Minnesota North Tartan and the Fairfax Stars. While neither team lit it up from the floor it was the Stars whose 34 percent field goal percentage edged NT’s 29.8 effort percent and grabbed the 50 – 48 win. North Tartan easily won the battle on the glass and had just one more turnover but it wasn’t enough to keep the banner from heading back to Virginia. Mykea Gray (2017 – Point Guard) led the way in the win with 15 points despite shooting just 4 of 15 from the floor. Brie Perpignan (2018 – Combo) added 13 more on a 5 for 7 shooting performance. North Tartan got 14 from Temi Carda (2017 – Point Guard) and 11 more from active and athletic Mikayla Hayes (2017 – Forward). Carda and Hayes added 7 and 8 rebounds respectively in the loss.
Tom Collen and Prentice Beverly offer up some looks at a few of the prospects “across the hall” in Augusta.
Tom Collen
Brishonne Tollie – 2018 – 6-1 – Post – Central Florida Elite – Under sized post…Nice solid build…Very long…Works hard…Blocks shots…Gets down on the low block and works…Aggressive rebounder…Range out to15 feet…Great potential due to high motor
Rickea Jackson – 2019 – 6-1 – Swing – Michigan Crossover – Lean athletic…Listed as guard but projects as small forward or skilled post…Solid skills for age but lacking true perimeter skills…Work ethic will decide upside but potential is there
Dorie Harrison – 2017 – 6-3 – Post – Tennessee Flight – Great body…Good hands…Pretty athletic…Runs OK…Has good upside with continued work…Watch closely
Tiara Chambers – 2018 – 6-2 – Post – Boo Williams – Does not shine yet vs older kids, but dominates in her age group…Solid body overwhelms most younger posts, especially when she is intense…Solid hands. ..Level will be determined by her work ethic.
Mikayla Hayes – 2017 – 6-2 – Post – Minnesota North Tartan – Solid Body…Nice athlete…Runs the floor…Rebounds the ball…Solid face up game but can play down low as well…BCS level…Much improved from last summer…Parents have collegiate basketball background and Mom played professionally
Prentice Beverly
Breanna Beal – 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – Midwest Elite – Young…Length…Will grow…Good mobility and footwork…Physical on both ends of the floor…Soft touch and hands…Versatility…Inside – Out offensively…Size makes her an impact on defense
Jasmine Hardy – 2018 – 6-1 – Forward – Cal Storm – Skilled in the paint…Depth to her skill set…Jump hook…Floater is there…Passes well and facilitates from the post
Seygan Robins – 2018 – 5-11 – Point Guard – Kentucky Premier – True point guard…Smooth lefty…Attacks the rim…Can finish strong…Floater and pull up are both there…Uses passing skills to set up teammates
Deanna Winston – 2017 – 5-8 – Point Guard – North Tartan – Great court awareness…Creates out of triple threat with jab step…Strong vision and passing…Navigates traffic well…Makes things happen
Blair Green – 2018 – 6-0 – Guard – Kentucky Premier – Versatile guard with size…Can go both ways…Gets to the rim and can finish…Can shoot it from deep but can spot up from midrange or hit the pull up
