CHARLOTTE, N.C.—While the college folks are tuning up with exhibition games and closed scrimmages their scholastic sisters are just getting underway for the 2015 – 2016 season. With a limited number of practices under their belts, 28 teams from around North Carolina dropped in on the eighth annual Providence Day Supper Scrimmage on Saturday to see what kind of work they have in front of them before the official season tip off. A bevy of college recruiters and four highly regarded scouting services were on hand for all the action that featured 42 scheduled games on the campus of PD, winner of six consecutive state titles.
While scrimmages are generally not about wins and losses, plenty of competitive play highlighted some established talent and offered up a glimpse of several promising futures. Below we take a look at some players who appeared to be more than ready to get things underway.
Vanderbilt commit Erin Whalen continues to add diversity to her game and remind folks why Mel Balcomb is no doubt excited about her decision to head to Nashville collegiately. The Providence Day senior has the combination of size and skills that are the preference du jour of college recruiters. She’s been a well-established prospect for some time but has been consistent in advancing and refining her skills. Saturday she demonstrated an even sharper ability to read offensively as she attacks. The 6-1 Whalen will still post up effectively at times but is just as adept at creating off the dribble both on the break and in the halfcourt. The pull up looks good and she’s more than willing to go to the rim with contact. Defensively she’s active and has a strong grasp of her gaps on close outs. The next level will necessitate some strength and bulk that should only serve to make her a more challenging match up.
Hillside has a strong group with some possibilities along with a line up featuring 2017 standout Elisia Grissett. The 6-2 guard / wing plays with a deep skill set creating both shots and passes off the dribble. Her length and athleticism challenge defensive match ups. Go with the size and she’ll blow by with ease. Go with the quickness and she’ll look to exploit her own size and wingspan. Grissett uses an impressive hesitation move to get defenders out of their stance and slashes into the paint on a regular basis. At the same time she’ll need to be more efficient without the ball in terms of making herself an option and being an impact on each possession. The same size and agility that serves her well offensively makes her a strong candidate to be a cornerstone defender in almost any scheme. As impressive as she can be, her best basketball could be something special with continued focus.
Another 2017 that’s already made some noise is Maya Caldwell of Davidson Day School. Lean and athletic at 6-0, she’s constantly on the attack and finds herself getting to the rim time and again. Her first step is quick but also lengthy making it difficult for defenders to recover. Caldwell does a good job of reading on her penetration and makes sound choices as the rotations come her way. On the break she can fill a lane with speed or take it the length of the floor herself creating options of her own or some for her teammates. The elevation is there on her jumper to provide good looks even with defenders contesting. There’s no hesitancy about taking it into traffic and she appears willing to take a hit at the rim from opposing bigs. Her size and wiry build combine with some quick lateral speed to make her a potentially stifling on ball defender.
Millbrook junior guard Kai Crutchfield has already committed to coach Wes Moore and the North Carolina State Wolfpack. One look at the 5-9 guard and it’s obvious that she’s got the physical tools to take her game to the ACC. While still a junior, she’s as physically strong as many athletes already on the college level and has the evolving skills that should help her transition easily when the time comes. With the ball in her hands she can create with an explosive first step and some well-read penetration. Off the drive she can finish in traffic or pull up with a soft touch form the mid-range. Back off her to contain her attack and you’ll pay a price by way of a smooth, fluid stroke that has the range to keep any defender honest. She’s an assertive on ball defender who has the hands and feet to cause opposing guards headaches for 32 minutes. With two seasons in front of her before joining the Pack, it will be interesting to see just how much further she’ll take her game.
The pleasure in watching junior forward / post Janelle Bailey of Providence Day is the steady and consistent growth in her game. We’ve seen her often and each time she’s taken things just a step further, adding, refining and impacting. Not many players on the high school level have the physical strength Bailey does as well as the willingness to put it to good use. At the same time you can see the maturation in her game and her understanding of how best to utilize her physical size and skills. The confidence level is rising in her offensive game and things are happening quicker and smoother off the catch down on the block. There’s still a methodical element to her play that actually serves her well in avoiding bad reads and impatient attacks. Defensively it’s obvious she’s been coached well and sees the floor both strong and weak side. Rotations are coming quicker but could still use another half step to take away some opposition options.
There’s always a freshman that you knew was good who gives you even more reason to keep an eye on them. The Ravenscroft School has 2019 guard Demi Washington who will be on everyone’s radar before the year is out if she’s not there already. An explosive athlete, she’s quick to the rim and demonstrates impressive speed with the ball. She’s got good size at 5-10 and a vertical that lets her exploit small match ups and be a factor on the boards from the perimeter. Her jumper has good form and the touch is there that will make opponents have to close out honestly. On the drive she demonstrated some sharp and effective interior passing that should keep her in the good graces of her coach and teammates. The tools are all in place, the rest is up to her.
QUICKHITTERS
Kennedy Boyd – 2018 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Providence Day – Wiry build…Lots of quickness…Change of speed and direction…Scrappy defender…Obvious potential
Claudia Dickey – 2018 – 5-10 – Point Guard – Charlotte Latin – Solid build…Strong skills and understanding…Sees the floor…Creates passes off the drive…Elite goalkeeper in soccer
Halei Gillis – 2017 – 6-4 – Post – Carolina Day – Lots of size and frame…Previous knee issues…Had moments down low and at the elbows…Showed good hands…Physical aspect of her game will have to evolve
Cianie Jallah – 2017 – 6-3 – Forward – Rocky River – Long and very thin…Has the agility but strength is an issue…Plays with effort…A ways to go but possibilities down the road
Liz Layne – 2017 – 6-0 – Wing – Charles E. Jordan H.S. – Active…Decent ballhandling…Can post up…Makes plays…Hit some spot up shots…Position?
Jada Logan – 2019 – 5-8 – Guard – R-S Central – Athletic…Makes plays…Cut and defined build for her age…Court IQ is sharp…Good size feet to grow into
Dazia Powell – 2017 – 5-9 – Guard – Millbrook – Solid…Athletic…Active…Form and stroke are there…Good range…Strong on ball defender…Hits the boards from the perimeter
Faith Price – 2019 – 5-9 – Guard – S.W. Guilford – Young…Athletic…Speed with the ball…Had some smooth and fluid moments…On a young team that should really evolve
Madison Taylor – 2018 – 5-8 – Guard – Ravenscroft School – Quick and athletic…Decent ballhandling…Hit some spot up shots…Potential
