MONTGOMERY, Ala – The Live Southeast Top 100 held at Faulkner University last weekend was hosted by BallN PrepGirls and sponsored by SchollyMe.com. The event was a resounding success thanks in part to Faulkner Head Coach Reed Sutton and his staff. Coach Sutton led the players through a series of drills including 1 on 1, 2 on 2, 3 on 3 and concluded with full court 5 on 5 competition. We had the opportunity to evaluate several nationally ranked players including 2014 SG Christa Reed. Reed continued to show why she has garnered so much national attention and is currently mulling over at least 12 BCS offers. Besides Reed, the following prospects are my “Southeast Super Seven”:
Jasmine Walker: This 6 foot 3 forward from Jeff Davis HS in Montgomery, AL, is an interesting prospect with a tremendous future. Walker has all the tools to be successful at the next level. She’s very confident in her ball control and makes good decisions as well. Walker can score inside and out with a sweet stroke that extends beyond the 3 point arc and at the same time has a nice array of post moves. She rebounds and runs the floor quite well with a college body that she uses to her advantage at both ends. Defensively, Walker protects the paint extremely well. Additionally, she also showed the ability to defend smaller players on the perimeter. There’s a tendency to rely on her sweet stroke a little too much and she’ll need to find a happy balance using her size advantage in the paint as well. I would also like to see her dominate the boards with more consistency. Walker’s size and game resembles that of Boston Celtic future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett. With continued development Jasmine “The Big Ticket” Walker has the potential to be a Top 25 prospect, if not Top Ten in the Class of 2016.
Cierra Johnson, a 5-8 athletic speedy combo guard from Blount High School Mobile, Ala. Johnson played extremely well showing why she should be considered a Top 25 prospect in the Class of 2016. Johnson used her killer crossover, coupled with her explosive first step to attack the paint looking to score or dish to slashing teammates. She used her speed and quickness to get out and finish off the break while weaving in and out of traffic handling the rock equally with both hands. Johnson also showed that she can consistently stroke the mid-range jumper as well as be a threat from beyond the arc in turn forcing opponents to choose their poison. Additionally, she demonstrated the ability to translate her speed and athleticism into great dividends on the defensive end forcing turnovers and cashing in on the conversion. Johnson is a top notch point guard with a big time game.
Blount High School 5-7 2014 combo guard Whytney Singleton is feisty and crafty. Singleton stroked multiple treys as well as displayed a nice mid-range touch. She finished well off the break, attacked the rim and either finished or dropped dimes to her teammates. She has an enviable knack for being in the right place at the right time. Defensively, she played aggressive on-ball and made a living by pressuring her opponent and creating turnovers. Singleton is a complete player fundamentally as well as a sound clutch performer who made several big plays. She has the tools to be a sleeper Division I prospect.
Alpharetta 2016 point guard Vashnie Perry, a 5-6 cat-quick guard, is ultra-speedy and played a stellar all-around game. Perry likes to attack off the dribble with either hand and is looking to create contact and finish in traffic. She also showed the willingness to manufacturer her own shot by attacking off the bounce consistently draining the spot up jumper and three pointers. Perry did a great job of consistently pushing the ball up the floor on made and missed baskets. Her aggressive play at both ends of the court led to constantly being around the ball and making plays. Perry rebounds well for her position and has all the tools to be a solid DI point guard.
Malia Kency, a 5-5 2014 point guard from Briarwood Academy in Warrenton, Ga, had a great showing with her complete game on display. Kency attacked at both ends utilizing her speed and quickness to her advantage to out duel opponents. She showed excellent command of her dribble and the environment dropping several no look dimes and creating options for her teammates. She also has nice touch from behind the arc plus a floater in traffic that is equally impressive. Kency’s all-around game will be a welcome addition to a mid to high major program.
I always enjoy watching good guard play and 5-9 2014 guard Randi Brown was indeed a joy to watch. Brown has a college-ready body and the competitive fire to go along with her versatile game. From tipoff to the final horn Brown was constantly on the attack. Offensively she used her ball handling skills to create space and knock down three pointers or attack off the bounce finishing in the paint. Brown stroked several mid-range jumpers to keep defenders playing her straight up. Defensively, she showed that can be a lock down defender. Brown did a great job communicating at both ends of the court and has a nice game with DI talent.
Bianca Jackson, a 5-10 2017 Montgomery, Ala native, is an upper-level athlete blessed with a long athletic frame. Growing up in a home where both your parents are D-I head coaches is a rarity and the expectations can be overwhelming. Bianca’s father is Alabama State University head basketball coach Lewis Jackson and mother Freda Freeman-Jackson is the head women’s basketball coach. Additionally, both were standout performers in their day at ASU. Bianca’s game speaks volumes on how she handles those expectations. Her game is as cool as the other side of the pillow. She uses her length and explosiveness to get to the basket and at the same time has the ability to shoot the ball from 15-20 feet when defenses give her just a step too much of space. Defensively, Jackson is a solid on-ball defender as well a good help side presence. The high basketball IQ you would imagine is there and she always seems to make the right play. Bianca has all the tools and demeanor to be a Top 25 recruit. Remember the name because she has the game…Bianca Jackson.
