The Indy Show Must Go On

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – “It’s a July unlike any other.”

These are common words from coaches, players, parents, and basketball people all across the country, as the COVID-19 saga continues into what has been known for years as the “Live Period”. Many of the usual events that dot the country throughout the month have seen all sorts of changes, and some aren’t even happening this month at all.

But, for many teams and clubs, the next very next sentence is, “The show must go on,” and carry on it did, as USJN’s 17^th Annual Premier Showcase filled its normal spot on the July schedule, in its normal home in Indianapolis this past week.

220 teams gathered from coast to coast, representing all shoe company circuits, as well as the first stop on the Blue Star League schedule for the summer. USJN leadership enacted a series of carefully thought out procedures and policies based on CDC, state, and local guidelines, including cycling the building populations between each game to prevent overcrowding, limiting the number of spectators in accordance with local caps, recommending all spectators and workers wear face coverings, and much more. Courts were even left empty at some sites to control the number of people under one roof.

As USJN owner Mike Flynn has stated again and again, it is up to teams, coaches, parents, and individual athletes to choose to play or not, based on their situation and comfort level. People will make the decision that best suits them.

While the NCAA dead period was extended recently until August 31 for Division I and Division II coaches, it was abundantly clear that coaches were still evaluating prospects and searching for future recruits. Over 40 NCAA DIII, NAIA, and junior college programs were represented in person at the event, keeping with their normal summer recruiting routines. On top of that, nearly 200 college programs have watched the live streaming of games. Players are playing, coaches are watching, and evaluators and media sources are in the building.

For full event results and Pool All-Stars, USJN has the post event page up here:

https://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=641

As the dog days of summer carry on, we wish everyone health and safety, on and off the court. Blue Star Media will continue to cover and promote girls’ basketball, and as always, we cannot wait to see you on the court!

And now, let’s talk about some basketball…

Peyton Akins – 2023 – 5-8 – Guard – NW Magic 17 Huff – One to keep an eye on from the Pacific Coast…Uber athletic on both ends…Lefty but capable with the right…Attacks in transition…Utilizes the shot fake and go

Kamorea Arnold – 2023 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Midwest Elite 17 EYBL – Safe to say one of the best players in the building…Has grown some and that has only helped…All the elite natural tools and scoring ability…Got into older PG’s defensively without fear or fault…Did a nice job absorbing contact with the ball in her hands…Splits D in traffic…Controls the tempo and runs the show

Olivia Baptiste – 2022 – 5-7 – Guard – GTS Fusion 16 – Scorer on the wing…Nifty player…Can put it in the basket some from all levels…Good energy and body language

Madelyn Bischoff – 2021 – 5-10 – Guard – Indiana Elite 17 Thunder – Hit some big time contested shots all over the floor…Gets physical to box out…Will attack in transition…Keeps people in front on D

Olivia Brown – 2023 – 5-7 – Guard – Nike Lady Gym Rats 16 EYBL – Lanky guard…Has some bounce and glide to her game…Showed understanding of push-pull in transition…Shoots the trey with a hand in her face no problem…Nice showing

Faith Burch – 2021 – 6-1 – Wing/Forward – Ohio Xtreme – Cleveland State commit…Nice wingspan helps on D in a big way…Versatility to like as she’s not timid working in the paint…Wants to get to the cup…Good defensive communication

Sarah Crossett – 2022 – 5-11 – Wing/Forward – M14 Hoops 17 National – Likes to put the ball on the floor and try to make things happen…Big and strong…Battles and not shy out there…No issue bringing it up herself and sees the floor well…Fits that bigger wing/point forward type of role

Montaya Dew – 2023 – 6-3 – Wing – Team Militant – Major baller with big time bounce…Many clean blocks…Capable of defending inside and out…Hits the three…Impacts the game in so many ways…Fits position-less basketball philosophy in a huge way

Kate Dilsaver – 2021 – 5-11 – Guard – Team Factory 17 National – High octane style…Plays with a bit of a chip on her shoulder…Plenty of scoring in transition…Gets up to board…Can get to rim and if she’s fouled she collects at the foul line

Hawa Doumbouya – 2023 – 6-4 – Post – Philadelphia Belles 15 Flynn – Huge young post…Agility is coming along…Comes out of nowhere with some big time post moves…When she asserts herself in the paint it’s hard to guard…Can play ball screens in different fashions…Bats away plenty of shot attempts…Chance to be at the top of a high mountain if she continues to develop

Allison Ediger – 2021 – 6-3 – Post – West Michigan Drive 17 – Iowa commit…Attacks from a nice, strong base to finish in the post…Slides right in and finishes with either hand on either side of the lane…Tremendous footwork…Also has all the intangibles coaches seek out

Macey Fegan – 2023 – 5-10 – Guard – Michigan Mystics 15 Trevithick – Type of player you can tell spends the time on her game…Mixture of size and speed attacking the rim…Great hands on D…Goes hard buzzer to buzzer…Intensity is there

Katie Fiso – 2024 – 5-10 – Point Guard – Tree of Hope 16 EYBL – Major upside with this Northwest lead guard…Abundant athletic and physical gifts to go with skills…Nice read and react coming off ball screens…Freezes defenders with the hesitation and blows by

Kloe Froebe – 2024 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Illinois Elite 15 Gold – Tough, skilled guard showed well against elite competition in big games…Playing mostly on the ball but scoring ability at all three levels makes her valuable at the two…Maturity to her game…At one point had nose busted open and still returned right back to action

Ella Giorgi – 2021 – 6-3 – Post – Minnesota Suns 17 – No doubt size on the interior…Not afraid to bang in there…Can close out quickly to shooters if need be…Even took a couple of three’s…Bit of a sleeper that could help the right program at the next level

Roisin Grandberry – 2024 – 6-3 – Forward – IL Lady Lightning 14 Bronze – Right off the bat you see the huge feet and long arms…Several 1 hand tip backs off missed shots…Can be a monster on the boards already…Elite movements…Seals well in the lane…Great hands and no issue finishing in a crowded lane…Plays with fire and intensity…Even took a three…Huge factor on both ends for her team

Kamryn Grant – 2024 – 6-1 – Wing – Ohio United 14 Wallace – All set to be a problem for years to come…All the physical boxes are checked…Sees the floor well and deliver strong cross court passes…Dynamic scorer…Cross and go all day

Jada Gyamfi – 2022 – 6-2 – Forward – All Iowa Attack 17 EYBL – Three pointer finds the bottom of the net often…Good interior defender…Will release from post denial and steal the entry pass with ease…Handles like a guard as she turns the corner…Makings of a high caliber stretch four

Sydney Hendrix – 2023 – 5-10 – Forward – Michigan Crossover 15 – Already has some muscle and uses it well…Handles in the open court and able to score in transition with some regularity…Around the ball a lot on D…Flashed a turnaround J inside…Standout motor…Ceiling is rising

Makayla Hinshaw – 2022 – 5-9 – Guard – IN Flight 16 GUAA – Has some hops and quickness that may surprise you…Energetic is the descriptor…Attacks basket with speed…Hard-nosed style of play…Very effective

Paige Hodgson – 2021 – 6-3 – Forward – Wisconsin Lakers 17 White – A forward that handles the ball on the perimeter…Length and size to play at the next level already…Can tell she likes to compete…Makes things happen

Amiyah Jenkins – 2022 – 5-10 – Guard – Kentucky Premier 17 EYBL – Nice stroke from three on full display…Rebounds out of area…Effective in the press and likes to get up and down the floor…Glides to circumnavigate defenders…Makes tough shots off the bounce…Interesting player

Skylar Jones – 2023 – 5-11 – Guard – Mac Irvin Fire 15 Thompson – Lefty wing…Tons of athleticism…Rebounds and takes it the other way time and time again…Tons of steals getting out into the gaps…Still relies on the strong hand, but the right will come…Will only be harder to guard as she starts to fill out

Zahra King – 2023 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Philadelphia Belles 16 EYBL – Lefty is legit in the mid range…Has the size and attributes to be among the elite…Can play floor general or go and get a bucket on her own…Excels in transition as well

Jaylah Lampley – 2025 – 5-11 – Wing/Forward – IN United 13 – All the ingredients of an impact player…Long stride matches the long frame…Side steps traffic to finish up around the rim…Works the opposing PG up and down the floor no problem…Gets into the lane at will…Has no qualms posting up…Tons of transition buckets

Lola Lampley – 2026 – 6-0 – Wing/Forward – IN United 13 – Big time prospect gets better every time out…Arms for days…Physical dominance for her age…Runs and attacks for opportunities in transition…Always out in the passing lanes…Runs guards down to block shots in transition…Corrals smaller guards on D…Scariest part- not anywhere close to a finished product yet

Alyssa Latham – 2023 – 6-0 – Forward – Midwest Elite 16 EYBL – Already one of the top prospects in her class and state…Emerging back to the basket game, but at times still gets in a hurry…Face up game is legit…Has the look

Brynn McCurry – 2023 – 6-1 – 2023 – Forward – United NJ 17 – Playing a couple years up without much issue…Still learning but already contributing…Can handle to start the break or drive it to the rack…Motor will catch your attention as well

Sierra Moore – 2023 – 6-1 – Forward – Team Iowa 15 – Noticeable size and frame at the onset…Works inside and the short corner offensively…Right hand finish is there, left will come with work…Cuts to the basket with the intent to catch and score…Looks good when she’s running the floor and staying involved…See how high she wants to take it

Kyla Oldacre – 2022 – 6-6 – Post – All Ohio Xpress 16 – A force to be reckoned with inside at this size…Knows how to outlet quickly and get going…Soft touch in the paint…Catches the basketball, including steals, rebounds, and passes…Hit a game winner on a post Iso so there’s plenty of clutch here

Justine Pissott – 2022 – 6-3 – Wing – Philadelphia Belles 17 EYBL – Ability to shoot the ball from deep on the move at this height is incredible…Plays hard and smart…More than willing to make the extra pass…Excels with IQ and awareness on both ends

Sarah Rekowski – 2024 – 6-1 – Forward – Michigan Mystics 14 Pewinski – Young size on the interior to pay attention to…Very active…Knows how to post…Already effective in the pick and roll game…Moves her feet and runs the floor…Bright future

Leah Richards – 2024 – 6-0 – Wing – Michigan Premier 14 Blue – Rangy youngster did some good things for sure…Steals and wherewithal to get the ball out ahead to the rim runner in one smooth motion…A threat from beyond the arc…Defends multiple positions…Offensive capabilities would lend itself to the wing…Good understanding on both ends…Pay attention to this one

Simone Sawyer – 2022 – 5-11 – Point Guard – Illinois Elite 17 – Length and athleticism all day at the PG spot…Pull up jumper is a weapon…No lazy passes can be thrown her direction…Can get hot from beyond the arc…Nice wrap around finishing off the dribble

Ashlynn Shade – 2023 – 5-10 – Point Guard – Nike Lady Gym Rats 17 EYBL – Elevates really well on the smooth jumper…Good with the rock…Really has some springs in her legs…Freezes D with the hesitation then hits the gas in a hurry…Decision making is excellent…Passes have plenty behind them and will make them through traffic…Very balanced and intent on the floor

Arianna Smith – 2021 – 6-2 – Forward – All Ohio Black 17 EYBL – Indiana State commit…Lots of nice, strong rebounds off two feet…Empties out for the 15 footer on the move…Willing to mix it up on defense…Team is in a good spot when she’s at her best

Afton Thomas – 2022 – 5-11 – Wing – IL Lady Lightning 17 Platinum Seberger – Physically prepared for the college level already…Driver first…No issues finishing through some contact…Not afraid to work inside against the mismatch…Continuing to work on jump shot is key…Plenty of production in spurts of games

Delaney Thomas – 2023 – 6-3 – Forward – GTS Fusion 17 – Stock has exploded as she continues to expand her game in all avenues…Getting up by the rim to finish…Scores and boards all day against any competition…Even shooting the three ball with some confidence…Vocal…Doesn’t give up on plays

Sole Williams – 2023 – 5-9 – Combo Guard – Ohio United 17 – Turns the corner with some ease…Flashy finisher to cap it off…Lightning fast on both ends…Makes you pay for errant passes…Will work the opposing PG up the floor defensively…Attack mode always

Ivy Wolf – 2021 – 5-8 – Guard – Dayton Lady Hoopstars 17 – Miami (OH) commit can put the ball in the basket…Shooter off the catch and even off the step back…Explodes out of the hesitation coming off ball screens…Plays the point some as well…Buckets scored and buckets assisted alike

Bailey Zalewski – 2022 – 6-0 – Forward – Illinois Elite 16 – Big body inside…Knocks away shot attempts time and time again without fouling…Aggressive in the paint with some good footwork to go along…Promising as a passer inside as well

Avery Zeinstra – 2022 – 5-7 – Guard – West Michigan Drive 16 – Walks in the gym and the crowd is yelling shooter…Long limbs…Really good basketball IQ…Requires a good defender…Crafty when bringing the ball up and starting the offense on her own…Knows how to put herself into scoring positions