WILDWOOD, N.J. – It was fitting the USJN Wildwood Beach Bash, a co-ed event with a heavy lean to the girls, went international in its second season. And yes, the visitors from north of the border or Canada were well represented.

That’s right on the heels of the Toronto Raptors winning the NBA Championship, bringing a national pride to the Jersey Shore vacation hot spot that is an 8 or 9 hour drive depending on the resident.

Women’s basketball aficionados might be familiar with Kia Nurse, who these days is the face of Canadian women’s game. Nurse won two national titles as player at Connecticut and now plays for the WNBA’s New York Liberty.

She’s also lent her name to a Nike-sponsored girls’ basketball organization that is run by her father, Richard Nurse (a former CFL wide receiver), and is associated the last four years with the Philadelphia Belles.

Kia Nurse Elite of Ontario, Canada brought four regional teams to the spacious Wildwoods Convention Center for a higher level of competition. As team officials said, “these girls here [in Wildwood] are good but need exposure.” For players on the Nike EYBL U16 and U17 teams, exposure isn’t the issue.

This is the first weekend and taste of the American game for most players here and it won’t be the last as the “live period” starts in July when KN Elite will travel to major events such as Run For the Roses (July 5-8) in Louisville, Kentucky; Nike TOC (July 10-12) in Chicago and USJN National (20-27) in Washington, D.C.

For the players on the regional teams, the competition in New Jersey was an indicator of what to expect when the action heats up in July.

Five Canadian standouts in Wildwood

During the two-day run at the Wildwood Beach Bash, I watched a chunk of the KN Elite games and felt these players are worth monitoring:

 Allison Addy, 5-10, KN Elite U16, Niagara (Ontario) JUEL Prep, 2021: After watching Addy play four times, she does all the little things that coaches crave. She willingly guards at least three positions—1, 2, and 3. Possesses above average ball-handling skills. She gets the rest of her teammates involved in the game. High basketball IQ who makes good decisions and is a good passer who consistently drains the 3-pointer from the wing. She’s on the trajectory to be a low D1 talent and playing in July should give her a true measure of what to expect. She is a rising junior at Governor Simcoe Secondary School in St. Catharines, where she is the team’s go-to player and consistently fights off double teams. NEC, America East and MAAC schools should take notice.

Katie Butts, 6-3, KN Elite U16, Ottawa, Ontario, 2021: Butts was not listed on the roster but team officials said she is from Ottawa. She was easily the team’s tallest player showed oodles of potential. Butts can play the high post and attacks the rim. Plays physical and absorbs contact on the boards and in the blocks. Has a soft touch and high ceiling.

Yemi Oladipo, 5-6, KN Elite U14, Dalewood Public School, St. Catharines (Ontario), 2023: She’s considered one of the top players in her age group and played for the Niagara JUEL Prep team as an eighth grader. She’s a playmaking point guard with athleticism and quick bursts of speed.

Ella Okubasu, 6-1, KN Elite U15, Crestwood Prep, North York (Ontario), 2022: Okubasu is a tall, long athlete who guarded all five positions this weekend. She can play point guard and has a tremendous court sense and vision. She runs the floor well and favors an up-tempo game. To successfully reach higher levels, she’ll need to develop another higher gear that will propel her floor game to another level. She’s already headed to D1, but at what level? She plays at an elite high school in Toronto.

Rheyne Steinauer, 5-9, KN Elite U15, Garth Webb Secondary School, Oakville (Ontario), 2022: Steinauer maximized her efforts and produced when she possessed the ball. That means she was no the No. 1 option on her team but patiently waited her turn. She’s a wing player that attacks and finishes at the rim. Has a killer crossover that dusted defenders and provided space to maneuver. Defends the 1 and 2.

FYI: The Ontario secondary schoolgirls (or high schoolers) play in the fall. In winter and spring, they are involved in the JUEL of Ontario or an independent Provincial League.

The league website says, “Ideally no player will travel longer than one hour to their practices. This will allow them time to focus on their education as well as personal life away from basketball …. As well as adding financial burdens on the family, moneys that could be put towards their College or University education.

“Our model and its successes have now become the foundation of other upstart leagues throughout Canada. JUEL is inclusive of all Players because we provide opportunities for everyone exclusive of their financial status … JUEL Prep was created to provide opportunities for Players to develop and transition into JUEL (or a higher development league.”

Belles of the Beach Ball

The Philadelphia Belles entered several teams in all age groups and put up positives results that meant winning pool and crossover pool championships that were played on Sunday afternoon. Belles teams used the weekend to refine team chemistry and get a good run before upcoming events in the NCAA live period.

There were numerous players that stood out and most teams fielded rosters flush with future D1 talent but these nine enjoyed prosperous weekends:

Aaryn Battle, 5-9, Belles U14, Clearview Middle School (Sewell, N.J.), 2023: Easily her team’s top pure athlete who is just scratching the surface and will enter high school in the fall. She has good offensive skills especially with the ball on her fingertips. Operates in tight spaces and threads the needle with passes and isn’t afraid to mix it up on the offensive glass.

Emily Chmiel, 6-3, Belles U16, Central Bucks East (Doylestown, Pa.), 2021:The rising junior post is a 4 or 5. She can play in the middle of the backline in a 2-3 alignment. The lefty can step out to bury the three. She finishes in traffic and is a rim protector.

Lauren Dorsey, 5-9, Belles U16, Ursuline Academy (Wilmington, Del.), 2021: Dorsey did not play due to a season ending knee surgery but Belles coach Greg Halligan said is wing guard was a knockdown shooter from 3-point range (40%) in 13 games this spring before her injury. She’s still a Division I talent so hopefully coaches will keep in touch.

Teaghan Flaherty, 5-11, Belles U17, Rye (N.Y.), 2020: She possesses a high basketball IQ and is Ivy League material in the classroom. Can guard multiple positions and play the 1, 2 or 3. She can create her own shot and is a pure 3-point shooter with a scorer’s mentality.

Ava Learn, 6-1, Belles U16, Our Lady of Lourdes (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.), 2021: One of the best players in the gym. She’s destined for the ACC, Big Ten or Power-5 program. She’s a 2 or 3 wing and played on the perimeter this weekend in a Five Out Offense but will slip into the post quick moves that draw fouls and score points. Has multiple skills that propel her game to an elite level and consistently hits the mid-range shot. Long, wiry build with an innate toughness.

Marianna Papazoglou, 5-11, Belles U16, Wildwood (N.J.) Catholic, 2021: A wing guard with a good handle and understanding of a perimeter based offense. Active on the offensive glass and anticipates on defense. Slices to the basket off screens and can accelerate in transition. The hometown girl had a great weekend in her backyard.

Bella Runyan, 5-11, Belles U17, Moorestown (N.J.) Friends School, 2020: No question a Division I player who never stop running or working on the court. Her defensive skills are triggered by quick, active that lead to tipped passes and turnovers. Finishes with both hands at rim and has a quick of speed getting there. Great DNA from dad who played in the NFL.

Bella Swipes, 5-11, Belles U14, Our Lady of Hope Regional School (Blackwood, N.J.), 2023: She’ll be a freshman at Westtown School in suburban Philadelphia in the fall to play for coach extraordinaire Fran Burbidge. Swipes is long, wiry and frequently clears the rebound at both ends of the floor. Has slippery moves inside and on the perimeter.

Kourtney Wilson, 5-10, Belles U16, Bethlehem (Pa.) Catholic, 2022: Wilson is a future Division I combo guard with a crushing first step that provides separation and is jet-quick in the open court. Good 3-point shooter who can create off the bounce. Playmaking skills are a plus.