CINCINNATI, OH – Last week the Rising Blue Star fall tour continued the 2019 journey into week two with a Saturday Double Header in Kansas City and Atlanta followed by an annual stop Sunday in Cincinnati to close things out strong.
All three cities presented deep, talented collections of participants with a good mix of established players and a bevy of new prospects looking to make a statement. Individually, each of these regions is regarded as a girls’ basketball hotbed, so nothing less was expected.
If you missed our coverage from Week One, check out the link below:
https://bluestarmedia.org/rising-blue-star-2019-underway/
Week Three has just one stop on deck in Las Vegas and Blue Star Founder Mike Flynn himself will be out West to lead the way. Keep your eyes on Blue Star Media for Mike’s report from Vegas
Nearly 20 cities remain on this fall’s Rising Blue star Schedule. For more information on those and our camp series visit:
Today, as always, we highlight just some of the players who did their thing last weekend. While each player was evaluated for Blue Star Report, time and space limit those we’re able to share with you.
KANSAS CITY
Ella Anciaux – 2021 – 6-4 – Forward – Next Level Eclipse – Big and strong inside…Bends her knees and sits down to post or defend…Smooth 15 foot jumper on the move…Effective in the elbow areas…Willing to go to work scoring with back to the basket…Good head on her shoulders
Maryn Archer – 2023 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Ohlde Elite – Plays at an elite pace and level of focus…Always makes the hustle plays and battles…Smooth and fluid in her dribbling, passing, and shooting…Big high school debut season looms
Addyson Brown – 2023 – 6-1 – Forward – Team Lex – Surprises with her quickness off the bounce at her size…Finishes strong off two feet…Flashed a euro finish off the drive…Boxes out…Tough on defense…Has a voice…Will shot fake and drive when she faces…Blue collar player
JaNyla Bush – 2024 – 5-5 – Combo Guard – St. Louis Eagles – Athletic tools…Quick with the ball…Sees the whole floor…Puts passes where they need to go…Three point range…Can pull up in the mid-range…Great on ball defensive presence
Mykayla Cunningham – 2023 – 5-7 – Guard – Ohlde Elite – Lanky, athletic guard…Long stride with the ball…Hustles defensively…Prefers to attack the rim but jumper is developing
Jamya McPherson – 2024 – 5-5 – Combo Guard – Lady Run GMC – Already possesses a stronger build…Vocal defender…Attacks the basket with effect…First step is pretty explosive…Assertive on defense
Ava Miles – 2026 – 5-7 – Guard – KC Gold Elite – Gets out and pushes pace in the open court…Length is an eye catcher…Still working on jumper…Handles it well…Gets to the basket…Potential
Jazlyn Rhodes – 2027 – 5-1 – Point Guard – KC Gold Elite – Good with the basketball for her age…Lefty…Effective jump shot…Uses her jab and shot fake well…Creates space and driving lanes
Aubrey Shaw – 2025 – 6-1 – Wing – Next Level Eclipse – Runs and moves well…Only getting better…Has started to fill out…Great frame…Confident lefty stroke from deep…Handles and passes like a guard
Jordan Speiser – 2025 – 5-9 – Guard – Knights Basketball Academy – Strong built young wing…Flashes good handles in the open court…Deceptively good…Shifty on the attack…Sees the floor…Delivers zippy passes…Jump shot becoming more and more steady…Range is there
Allie Turner – 2024 – 5-6 – Combo Guard – Knights Basketball Academy – Young combo guard…Makes things happen for herself and teammates with the ball…IQ in team setting is elite…Nasty with the ball…Composure and recognition are advanced
Kirston Verhulst – 2025 – 5-6 – Guard – Next Level Eclipse – High level of skills for age…Has started to grow and stretch the frame…Quick and efficient with the ball…Ability to pull up in tight congested areas…Finds the bottom of the net
Hannah Wallace – 2024 – 5-9 – Wing – Bradley Beal Elite – Long and athletic…Pushes the ball…Definitely some explosion in there…Good closeouts on defense…Thrives in the up-tempo game…Plenty of potential
Bailey Wilborn – 2021 – 5-8 – Point Guard – Next Level Eclipse – Can hit contested shots…Changes direction and pace with the ball…Racks up assists…Range on the shot is deep…Serious threat to opponents
ATLANTA – COACH JASON NICHOLS
Sydney Bowles — 2022 — 6-0 — Wing — Georgia Pearls – Elite offensive skill set…Leader during workouts…Midrange jump shot is tough to defend…Powerful, athletic and strong body hard to stop when attacking basket…Game is still emerging
Taliah Cornish — 2024 — 5-5 — Combo Guard — WP Celtics Team Nard – Good ballskills….Vision is excellent…Can shoot it from deep…Played with and stood out among older combine kids….Creative at rim…Ability to score from different angles
Xavier Dyer — 2022 — 6-1 — Wing — WP Celtics – Evolving wing skills…Mid-range game is in place….Comfortable with back to basket…Good footwork in post…Can score it with both hands…Attacks rim with power from wing…Strong shooting ability from 15 to 17 feet…Potential is unlimited
Sania Feagin — 2021 — 6-4 — Forward — Georgia Pearls – Highly regarded and well known…Wow factor is there…Blocks shots…Runs floor with the guards…Plays hard…Elite finisher around the rim…Variety of moves…Leader…Love of game shows
Mone Florence — 2021 — 5-7 — Combo Guard — WP Celtics – Super quick with ball in her hands…Control is top notch…Finishes at basket with contact…Footwork on jumpshot coming off screens is solid…Big time three point shooter…Tools are very good in all phases
Kailani Merrel — 2026 — 5-6 — Guard — East Coast United – Youngest participant…Extreme upside…Handles are solid…Works hard…Three point shot already a weapon…Extremely coachable…Mentality will allow for game to grow…Future is bright
Unique Miller — 2021 — 6-3 — Forward — Team Nite Nite – Great athleticism for size…Very skilled…Can handle in open court…Post moves are solid…Face up game is on point…Shot is good…Passing ability is impressive for size…Lots of potential
Patsy Mobley — 2021 — 5-6 — Point guard — WP Celtics – Athletic…Electric off the dribble…Gets to rim…Explosive creating jump shot off dribble…Dynamic passer…Finds open options…Impressive offensive game
Frankie Payne — 2024 — 5-5 — Point Guard — FBC Bounce nation – True PG…Does everything well…Lefty…Elite three point shooter… Coachable kid who applies instruction…Floor leader…Willing passer off bounce…Midrange jump shot is already an effective tool
Johanna Potter — 2025 — 6-1 — Wing — Essence – Major upside with size…Evolving three point shot is almost there…Can attack defender facing up…Solid finisher from midrange…Good footwork and can post up smaller defenders…Rim protector who blocks shots
Jazmin Thornton — 2024 — 6-0 — Wing — FBC United – Ultra athletic wing…Elite defender…Runs floor hard with long strides…Plays bigger than 6-0 because of wingspan…Elevated above all defenders on lefty mid-range jumper….Hasn’t even scratched the surface of what she can become with hard work
Bridget Utberg — 2022 — 5-7 — Combo guard — Georgia Metros – Tough guard…Deep and accurate three point shooter…Finishes at rim against length…Gifted open court passer in transition…Extremely high basketball IQ…Plays game hard…Bright future
Trinity Vance — 2024 — 5-7 — Point Guard — Team South Carolina – Big time talent…Extremely gifted with ball in her hands…Can create her own midrange jump shot…Excellent finisher at the rim…Great vision off the dribble to find open player…Future is bright
Ava Watson — 2024 — 5-9 — Combo Guard — FBC – Big time shooter…Deep threat…Creates scoring opportunities off bounce…Excellent mid-range pull up… Can finish at rim with different angles versus taller defenders…Coming into her own
CINCINNATI
Darriana Alexander – 2025 – 6-0 – Wing – WV Thunder – Elite athleticism…Stretches to finish around people…Nice spin move to score…Taps rebounds and loose balls to herself…Makes plays on defense…Exciting young player
Kailee Bransford – 2025 – 5-3 – Combo Guard – Cincinnati Angels – Starting to fill out and grow…Solid first step off the dribble…Great IQ and awareness for age…Patient but can also accelerate rather quickly…Can drain threes
KK Bransford – 2022 – 5-11 – Point Guard – Cincinnati Angels –High profile continues to expand…Grown woman moves off the bounce…Sets the tone with approach, energy, and work ethic
Emma Dretke – 2022 – 5-10 – Wing/Forward – Ohio Xtreme – Good build…Handles with pace…Shoots well on the move…Knocks down contested three’s…Provides solid play and versatility on both ends
Bree Hall – 2021 – 6-0 – Wing – Sports City U – Flat out competitive…Pushes herself to be the best in the gym…Gets on offensive boards…Positional versatility on both ends…Explosive to finish…Brushes off any contact…Unselfish…Passes ahead in transition to exploit options
Lily Johnson – 2024 – 5-9 – Wing – Cincinnati Heat Premier – Works hard…Knocks down the three ball…Long limbs and long stride…Sprints the floor…Trending the right direction
Leah Macy – 2025 – 5-9 – Wing – Kentucky Premier – Long youngster…Strong fundamentals…Effective ball handler…Good footwork…Splits defenders…Can finish in some traffic…Listens and utilizes coaching cues…Three point threat already
Hazley Matthews – 2023 – 5-7 – Guard – WV Dynasty 2023 Elite – Solid speed with the ball…Pull up shot is smooth…Good shooter off the catch…Positioned well starting high school career
Morganne Postell – 2024 – 5-4 – Point Guard – Ohio Elite – Legit burners off the bounce…Pounds the ball with authority…Athletic…Plenty of hangtime to finish…Electric young prospect
Zhieyah Rolack – 2024 – 5-9 – Wing/Forward – Cincinnati Angels – Physically imposing…Powerful off the attack…Covers ground with the ball…Tough to stop when she gets rolling downhill…Will pick and roll or pop to score…Potential point forward
Heaven Sneed – 2026 – 5-4 – Combo Guard – All Ohio – Has the look, maturity, and awareness of an older player…Battles out there…Some burst off the bounce…Three point range…Keeps the ball low…Handles with authority
Kendall Sterling – 2024 – 5-9 – Wing – Indiana Flight Platinum – Has the build to play the wing…Gets to the rim utilizing different jab steps…Range to the arc…Very good energy
Brielle Williams – 2022 – 5-4 – Point Guard – Ohio Xtreme – Small but quick…Has wheels with and without the ball…Three point range…Highlight reel passing on occasion…Turns the corner to the rim
Berry Wallace – 2024 – 6-1 – Wing – Ohio United – Wing prospect with plenty of size and length…Knows how to close out…Uses her wingspan on defense…Smooth stroke…Shot fake and drive…Can finish through contact…Goes coast to coast on her own
