DISTRICT HEIGHTS, Md. – We sincerely mean the following statement in the nicest way possible. Midwest Elite Platinum shooting guard Jewell Loyd is a spectacle.
Based on her effort to open Pool I play in the Platinum bracket against an outmatched Team Maryland at U.S. Junior Nationals on Friday morning, we contend that spectacle is not a putdown, but a compliment. Loyd, a Notre Dame recruit and arguably the top Class of 2012 shooting guard in America, has gotten to the point where it’s no longer an opinion, but the truth.
“I always want to come out here and do my best, no matter who I’m playing against or who is watching,” said, Loyd, who has registered a 30-point game against a strong DFW squad this AAU season. “I’m just trying to work on what I need to work on, play my game and help my team win.”
Loyd checked into the game early in the first half and proceeded to jog down court unassumingly. The mood changed when she took a pass on the right wing, took one dribble to her right and calmly nailed a long jumper with a hand in her face like she was shooting around in her backyard. The next time down, she did the same thing, only from the left side. Receive the pass, one dribble to her left and a pull up from 18 feet.
Against a less talented team than this Midwest Elite Platinum, which was a surprise USJN winner here in the D.C. area last summer, you can guess how the rest of the game went for Loyd and her teammates, who will not be sneaking up on anybody this time around.
Loyd and Midwest Elite Platinum are back in action this evening in Pool I play at 7:30 p.m. against the New England Crusaders.
