WESTFIELD, Ind.—While the college coaches may be off the road until July 23rd, the gyms aren’t exactly the epitome of calm and quiet. Over the weekend the beautiful Grand Park Sports Campus and Jonathan Byrd’s Fieldhouse played host to the second annual Rising Blue Star Nationals. The “youth” were out in force for this up and coming event as 36 teams representing six states made their way to this suburb just north of Indianapolis.
Pool play was the order of the day ultimately leading to the crowning of three champions Sunday afternoon. In the 12U Division Team Mac (Ohio) got by the Wisconsin Flight in the finial by a 41 – 28 margin. Flight got some payback in the 13’s as they took top honors back to Wisconsin by way of a 52 – 33 win over the Indiana Flight.
The “Big Dogs” of Rising Blue Star, the 14’s, saw Cincinnati’s Finest take on the Midwest Finest for all the marbles. In the end the Buckeye State claimed the hardware breaking open a halftime tie to claim a 58 – 48 victory. Making the win just a little more impressive is the age difference between Carlton Gray’s Cincinnati squad and their counterparts. The Midwest roster featured nine players from the 2019 class while Gray’s team had one 2019, no 2020’s, six 2021’s and two 2022’s, both of whom started and excelled throughout the event.
Wrapping things up Sunday, All-Star Games were held following the championship contests. The rosters were chosen by the elite in evaluators with the Blue Star Staff getting additional input from both Dan Olson (Collegiate Girls Basketball Report/ESPNW) and Bret McCormick (All Star Girls Report). In all over 100 years of experience was in the gym looking at some of the future standouts on the club and scholastic landscape. One on One competitions were held as well with Charli Turner (2019 – Midwest Finest) and Grace Centrulla (2020 – Cincinnati Heat Premier) sharing top honors.
For more information on the 2016 Rising Blue Star Nationals, including, results, a complete list of All-Stars and more, follow the link below to the USJN Post Event page.
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_allstar_new.php?which=381
The future is promised to no one, especially athletes. However there were some players on hand who have some promising basketball on the horizon worth keeping an eye on. As always, they’re in alphabetical and don’t represent “all” of the talent on hand. At this age we’re omitting heights and positions because of the likelihood of changes over time.
QUICKHITTERS
KK Bransford – 2022 – Cincinnati’s Finest – Blue Star 30 – Quick and attacking…Change of speed is deceiving…Slashes in traffic…Gets shot off among the bigs…Reads on penetration
Savaya Brockington – 2019 – Midwest Finest – Quick and attacking point guard…Ball control…Change of speed gets defenders out of their stance…Delivers the ball on the drive as defense rotates
Natalie Carie – 2019 – Illinois Lightning – Lots of versatility…Aggressive…Makes herself a factor in transition and the halfcourt…Good vision…Shot needs some refinement at this point
Abby Ratsch – 2019 – Illinois Predators – Probable forward…Solid size and build…Shot fake and drive…Some ballhandling is there…Gets on the boards
Carsyn Fearday – 2019 – Illinois Lighting – Strong ball skills…Likely point guard…Plays with advance instincts for her age…Creates both shots and passes off the dribble…Not hesitant to take it into traffic…Can control the pace of the game…Could be more active without the ball
Lauren Feldman – 2019 – We Got Next (Ohio) – Plenty of size…Plays with effort…Gets on the offensive glass…Not afraid of contact…Has possibilities
Jenna Gates – 2020 – Sky Diggs Elite – Talented playmaker…Strong ballhandling and passing…Utilizes change of speed…Attacking mentality…Makes plays
Kinnidy Garrard – 2019 – Midwest Finest – Power forward right now…Aggressive posting up and on the catch…Decent moves…Goes up strong
Chance Gray – 2022 – Cincinnati’s Finest – Young backcourt threat…Lots of speed both with and without the ball…Has range and touch well beyond the three point line…Quick release on the catch…Set her shot up off the dribble
Gracie Johnson – 2019 – Indiana Flight Force – Size most likely means the point…Pushes the ball…Change of speed and direction…Gets deep in the paint
Stacie Jones – 2020 – Cincinnati Heat Premier – Athletic and aggressive…Works around the rim well…Gets on the boards…Impressive reach…Offensive glass
Nicole Leff – 2020 – Cedar Park Wolves (Texas) – solid size and frame…Active with and without the ball…Willing to play physical…Stepped it up in the All-Star game…Demonstrated the ability to create her own looks
She-Mye Leigh – 2019 – We Got Next (Ohio) – Athletic guard…Can create her own looks…Hesitation is effective…Sees the floor…Lots of speed with the ball
Rachel Loobie – 2020 – Indiana Flight Black – Nice size and athletic build…Can create her own around the rim…Nice length at this point…Slight limp at this point attributed to “growing pains”…Watch closely
Shelby Nusbaum – 2020 – Cincinnati Heat Premier – Length with perimeter skills…Can create her own…Moves well…Release on her shot is low and out front…Lots of tools…Disappointingly left prior to the All-Star games
Lalia Phelia – 2021 – Cincinnati’s Finest – Athletic with some length in the backcourt…Develops opportunities off the dribble…Lots of acceleration…Elevates on the pull up…Makes plays on both ends
Claire Rake – 2020 – Indiana Flight Black – Has some ballhandling skills…Works well in traffic…Form is there on her shot…Step back creates separation
Joclyn Spears – 2021 – Indy lady Gym Rats Blue Choice – Athletic guard…Strong individual skills…Quick…Acceleration…Crossover…Gets to the rim
Shamia Strayhorn – 2021 – Ohio Phenom – Creates opportunities for herself and her teammates…Lots of speed and quickness with the ball…Crossover is strong…Passes well of penetration…Quick on defense
Charli Turner – 2019 – Midwest Finest – Strong, athletic and attacking…Ballskills get her to the rim…Can handle contact on penetration…Some interior passing…Tools are there
Ally Vantimmeren – 2021 – Michigan Metro Dream – Has some size already at 6-1…Nice skill set…Lefty…Active without the ball…Can put it on the floor to a degree…Gets on the boards
Da’naria Washington – 2021 – Indy Lady Gym Rats Blue Choice – Strong and athletic…Active…Can mix up inside and out…Perimeter shot?
Hattie Westerfield – 2019 – Indiana Flight – Already 6-3…Lots of length…Reads defenders…Has some post moves in place…Lefty…Works hard with and without the ball…Has been coached
Azyiah Williams – 2021 – Midwest Takeover – Destined for the point…Quick and assertive with the ball…Individual skills…Spot up…Has range
