WASHINGTON, D.C.—From Thanksgiving through New Year’s there is an abundance of tournaments offering up and highlighting the scholastic talent around the country. For the sixth straight year the nation’s capital played host to a holiday event with a deep pool of talent. Last weekend the Sixth Annual Tina Thompson “She Got Game” Classic played host to 58 teams representing eight different states and the District of Columbia. The two day schedule offered up 40 games that were taken in by almost 100 college recruiters as well as representatives from most of the major scouting services and media. Naturally Blue Star was on hand from start to finish and offers up evaluations today as well as a second set of 14 more from Lisa Bodine coming this Wednesday. Some of these athletes you’re familiar with and others are the next generation coming into their own in the upcoming classes. Obviously, it’s impossible to list all the standouts on hand and those we profile here are not necessarily the “best” that were in the gym in D.C. They are, however, players who caught our eye for one reason or another and were worth noting.
2015
When you watch a player as long as we’ve had the chance to watch De’Janae Boykin of Charles Flowers you sometimes begin to overlook just talented they just might be. The UConn bound 6-2 forward has stood out in high school, club and international basketball and reminded us again just why she’s among the elite in the class. Appearing to now enjoy the strength that comes with physical maturation, Boykin is a challenging match up defensively. While she plays within the framework of Flowers offense she still, on occasion, will simply take it herself and create her own looks with authority. On one possession she went coast to coast weaving thorough traffic and getting to the rim without any defender having a prayer of contesting her attack. She works efficiently from the elbow both off the dribble or distributing the ball. While clearly the dominant offensive weapon she picks her spots but shows an understanding of when it’s time to step up and take over. She also demonstrated some of the perimeter consistency will be a critical element for her moving forward in her career.
North Carolina State will be the new address for Jonquanae Cole when next fall rolls around for the Paul VI post. At 6-4 she’s had a college ready build for a couple of years now and continues to advance and refine her game. The ability is there to get up and down the floor effectively in transition and she’s active down on the block looking to establish a strong post presence in the halfcourt. Cole has a good understanding of angles and works hard in keeping defenders sealed while providing her teammates with an easy target. Even when she kicks it back out she’s quick to repost and exploit the shift of the defender while immediately calling for the ball back. Her cuts block to block or high to low are with intent and often create options as a result of effort alone. Defensively she sees the floor well but is occasionally just a heartbeat slow in rotating to help. Lots of tools are in place but she’s just scratching the surface of her potential.
Neumann – Goretti was splitting time between two tournaments and played just one game on Sunday in D.C. For future Georgia Tech point guard Ciani Cryor, 32 minutes was all she needed to leave little doubt about her potential impact for the ACC Yellow Jackets next year. Despite her diminutive size (wishfully listed at 5-5), Cryor was easily the most dynamic player in action much to the chagrin of any defender hoping to contain her. Utilizing a mix of hesitation, crossover and stutter steps, she continually drew opponent after opponent out of their stance. The challenging aspect of containing her is the ability to zero in from long range with a quick and difficult to anticipate release. That being said, Cryor does deliver a few attempts that are questionable in choice and occasionally lacking in touch. In traffic she shreds multiple defenders and has no hesitation about taking it all the way into the land of the bigs. On ball she’s quick and assertive and from the weakside defensively she anticipates with the best of them. As an added bonus…she’s just fun to watch.
2016
Isabel Alarie of National Cathedral continues to advance the game we’ve been impressed with in the past. The 6-3 forward / post is still the poster child for the “long and lean” description but it has little impact on her productivity. She is creating more and more effectively with some assertive drives from the high post. Her shot fake and first step serve her well and the vertical is deceptive for a player her size. Alarie is making good choices with the ball both in terms of shots and passes. The stroke and touch are there to force defenders to close out in the high post or on the perimeter. It’s obvious that she’s had some quality coaching along the way and put in the work to maximize its impact on her game. Her ability to get out and run the floor is something she can exploit on the high school level even as the trailer when she’s cleared the defensive board. Strength will be a real asset down the road but Mother Nature may well limit just how much “bulk” she may ever be able to add to her frame.
New Hope Christian plays an intense brand of basketball but it’s also smart and sound fundamentally. Highlighting that approach is the game of 5-8 junior guard Jo Jo Chavis. Her ball skills are sharp and allow her to improve not only her own options but those of her teammates as well. She wants the ball in her hands and at times offered up that “take charge” attitude that so many players seem to avoid at all costs these days. Watch her eyes and you can see her reading the floor, her teammates and the defense in front of her. Chavis plays with a strong basketball IQ and makes good choices on the break and in the halfcourt. The form appears to be sound on her shot yet she’s just as quick to give it up to a teammate with a better option. While not the quickest athlete on the floor she’s got a good grasp of her gaps on close outs and does a good job of containing on ball.
Jayla Jones – Pack is showing that she’s ready to climb the ladder among the bigs in the 2016 class. Already well known among the recruiting crowd, the 6-4 post from St. Anthony’s is having some moments that show that she’s not one of those prospects content to allow her game to plateau. Agile for her size, she is active at both ends and plays with an element of enthusiasm at times. On the catch her moves are quick, often shooting as she squares up to the rim. A nice mid-range touch is there to keep opponents honest and she’ll even spot up from the high post given the opportunity. Her post moves are sound but will need further refinement for the challenge she’ll face at the next level. Jones – Pack pulled some strong boards and was quick to find the outlet triggering transition for St. Anthony’s. Lot’s of promise and lots of room advancement.
Christ the King is still the kind of program that brings out every opponent’s best which in turn demands the most from the players wearing the Royals uniform. Junior 5-9 guard Dominique Toussaint is the kind of elite athlete that in the past has helped create that bulls-eye on CTK. While not yet the evolved presence that some of her predecessors were, Toussaint has the tools to make her own mark on the current squad. An explosive athlete with an aggressive attack makes her a challenge for defenders. On the catch she’s quick to penetrate and challenge opposing rotations. While not a point guard, her speed with the ball is a genuine asset in transition and forces numbers situations time and again. Shot selection is not a strength at this time but some of her passing efforts demonstrate that she can create looks for her teammates as well as her own. The same speed and quickness that serve her well on offense puts her in a position to be a lock down defender if she’ll embrace the role.
2017
What’s not to like about a long, lean, athletic 6-4 post who happens to be just a sophomore? Musharapha Alhassan closely resembles that forward / post that coaches would love to order off a menu if such a thing were available. Though young, the St. Vincent Pallotti interior presence has all the tools to be just as good as she would like to be. She’s fluid in her movement and can run the floor with the guards. She understands posting and is focused on making herself an option down low. On the catch, Alhassan keeps it high and reads her defender as well as those looking to rotate her way. Her attack comes quick but still has an element of inexperience in its execution. She finishes at the rim and even knocked down a couple from mid-range. Her length, wingspan and vertical make her productive defensively and on the glass. Nothing but upside if she continues to work at her game.
Andra Espinoza – Hunter has been on the recruiting radar for some time now and continues to turn heads with her strong play. The 5-10 guard from Blair Academy has the tools to create options in transition or out of sets in the halfcourt. Her size and agility make her challenge off the cut or when she puts the ball on the floor, which seems to be her preference more often than not. As she’s matured she’s doing a better job of reading defenses and recognizing options for both herself and her teammates. On the drive Espinoza – Hunter can slash in the paint and work effectively in traffic. Her ability to drive should get her double figure attempts at the line almost every time out. The perimeter shot is smooth with range and has quality elevation for clean looks. The defense is evolving and the tools are there for her to be just as effective at both ends of the floor with right approach.
A favorite this past weekend was Walt Whitman sophomore guard Abby Meyers. One of three Meyers sisters on the roster, this 5-11 standout has an instinctual game that leads her to make play after play. While she plays somewhat upright, the ballhandling is there to create both shots and passes. Without the ball she’s active and cuts efficiently both off screens or rim cuts. The crossover is deceptive and on the drive she can finish at the glass or call on a soft floater that worked well for her. Meyers even utilized a solid step back that created plenty of room for a good look at the rim. Though she goes left willingly, the left hand will need to evolve for her to finish effectively against higher caliber competition. Her size makes her a strong defender at both the off guard and wing spots.
Medgar Evers sophomore forward Danielle Patterson brings lots of tools to the floor. Standing 6-2 she has the size, length and athleticism to cause plenty of headaches for opposing coaches. Her skill set includes some perimeter assets that make her a legitimate threat in the high post and from the trail spot in transition. While she can put it on the floor there is an overuse at this point that needs to reeled in a bit to let her entire game evolve. Her first step is quick and lengthy leading to good looks off the drive and forcing defensive rotations. On the catch down low she’s methodical but does a good job of reading defenders and exploiting her agility. Patterson grabbed her share of offensive boards went back up with authority. Defensively she’s active and quick. This very talented prospect has a bright future if an ill-advised move to the perimeter isn’t pushed on her too soon.
If you like stronger attacking guards, keep an eye on Good Counsel sophomore Lindsey Pulliam. At 5-10 she plays with a solid build and a willingness to embrace contact. Her ball skills are strong and she utilizes her change of speed and direction to create penetration. The crossover is a reliable tool as well leading to both shots for herself or teammates. Pulliam is good deep in traffic but isn’t hesitant to pull up from the 10 foot range if the bigs rotate her way. Occasionally it’s obvious she has her mind made up on the catch while at others she makes strong reads. Defensively she’ll need to work on her spacing on close outs but the effort is there and she sees the floor. Pulliam has plenty of experience under her belt and should be in line to take her game to the next level.
2018
Zaria Dorsey is no stranger to anyone following girls prep basketball. The 6-0 forward has shown plenty of promise in the past that is fast becoming a reality for the Bishop Loughlin standout. Her size combines with strong athleticism that presents a defensive challenge for the opposition. She’s smooth and fluid with a quick, smart attack. Dorsey does a good job for her age of reading defenders and making choices both from the high post or down on the block. On the catch she’s quick to spin off of her match up and get to the rim before they have the opportunity to recover. She elevates on her shot both at the rim and on her jumper. Defensively she’s active and has the agility to contain smaller, quicker opponents in different schemes.
2019
There were a few middle school aged athletes “playing up” and a couple caught our eye. Ursuline Academy has plenty of proven backcourt firepower but they’re getting some strong contributions from eighth grade guard Alisha Lewis. Listed at 5-6, she’s very lean and wiry but it didn’t limit her ability to be productive. Smart and skilled, she was effective within an offense as well as individually with the ball in her hands. She changes up both her speed and direction keeping on ball defenders guessing and on their toes. Lewis has a jumper that has solid form and the range to keep opponents honest. As time and Mother Nature due their part, this could be a young guard to keep a close eye on.
Teisha Hyman is also a part of a promising 2019 class and offered up some play that should keep her on everyone’s list as time goes by. At 5-8, the Woodlands point guard is lean and athletic. She plays with a constant attack and is always looking to advance the ball off the dribble or pass. Her ball skills lead to some sharp passing that often lets her thread the needle on the break. Occasionally the one handed passing is easily read by defenders and will need to be set up to be more effective. Hyman has plenty of range and shoots a true jumper. Her ballhandling gets her into the lane for a nice pull up but also creates a strong step back move that comes with plenty of separation. She’s quick and aggressive as an on ball defender but tends to come out of any type of stance on the weakside of the floor. Watch closely!
