ORLANDO, Fla. – The USA Basketball U17 and U18 teams wrapped up their initial training camps at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex with tune up games with visiting Brazil. Neither contest offered a challenge to the red, white and blue as the U17’s posted a 42 point margin while the U18’s cruised to their win by a total of 61. Thursday’s games completed a four day training camp for both squads. The U18’s reassemble August 4 – 12 in Colorado Springs for their final preparations before heading off to the 2012 FIBA Americas Championship for Women in Gurabo, Puerto Rico. The U17’s final training camp before their defense of the U17 World Championship in Amsterdam, Netherlands will also be in Colorado Springs beginning August 1 and finishing August 8.
Despite the lopsided margin of both contests we thought it might be interesting to offer up some quick and simple thoughts on each member’s performance in both games. Every player in uniform got double figure minutes in both games with the exception of U18 point guard Moriah Jefferson (Glenn Heights, Texas) who sat out as a precautionary measure due to an injured hand.
The U17’s kicked things off with an 80 – 38 win that saw four different players reach double figures. Diamond DeShields (Norcross, Ga.) led the way with 15 points on 7 for 13 shooting while Kaela Davis (Suwanee, Ga.) added 11 followed by Rebecca Greenwell (Owensboro, Ky.) and Taya Reimer (Fishers, Ind.) with 10 apiece. The US out rebounded the Brazilians by 22 and forced the visitors into 25 turnovers that included 16 steals. They also held Brazil to 21% field goal shooting for the contest including a dismal 1 for 12 effort behind the arch.
Follow links to both box scores below
U17’s – http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/u17/12_wu17_exh_01_bra_orl_box.html
U18’s – http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/u18/12_wu18_exh_01_box.html
Here’s one or two line thoughts from us on each member of the U17 squad and their performance Thursday night.
Lindsay Allen – 5-8 Point Guard – Bowie, Maryland
Prentice – “Great floor general that did a tremendous job of distributing the ball and controlling the tempo.”
Mark – “Really maturing as a floor leader and taking control both in transition and the halfcourt. Better every time out.”
Jessica Washington – 5-8 Point Guard – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Prentice – “Solid all-around point guard that caused havoc on the defensive end of the floor.”
Mark – “Still finding her comfort zone but showed some flashes penetrating with the ball and making better decisions.”
Linnae Harper – 5-7 Combo Guard – Chicago, Illinois
Prentice – “Great power combo guard. Rebounded extremely well and finished in the paint.”
Mark – “Simply makes plays. Both ends, on the break, in sets, perimeter or inside, Harper is your money player.”
Kaela Davis – 6-2 Guard – Suwanee, Georgia
Prentice – “High Energy player that loves to attack with the ball and in a defensive stance. Needs to let the game come to her and have more fun.”
Mark – “Produced some good numbers but may still be relying too much on creating with the dribble rather than the depth of her skills.”
Rebecca Greenwell – 6-0 Guard – Owensboro, Kentucky
Prentice – “Has the ability to be a sniper from behind the arch, but has no reservations about putting it on the floor to attack.”
Mark – “Still not quite there with the knee but demonstrated a solid understanding of how to create her own looks off the dribble as well as off the cut.”
Diamond DeShields – 6-1 Guard – Norcross, Georgia
Prentice – “Easily the best athlete and best player in her class. Gets buckets.”
Mark – “Dynamic athlete who makes impact plays at both ends. Simply put…a player.”
Brianna Turner – 6-3 Forward – Pearland, Texas
Prentice – “Long and athletic, she works hard defensively and once her offence skills catch up should be fun to watch.”
Mark – “Seems more and more comfortable and once she embraces a role should be in a position to make an impact.”
Erica McCall – 6-3 Forward – Bakersfield, California
Prentice – “Finishes well in the paint and offers up some good on ball defense. Aggressive at both ends.”
Mark – “Active and athletic, she can be a challenging match up for both opponent’s size and speed.”
Oderah Chidom – 6-3 Forward – Oakland, California
Prentice – “Nice athletic build. Good interior passer with a nice array of low post moves.”
Mark – “Had moments but still wasn’t her usual fluid threat. Has the tools to really contribute once she settles in.”
Taya Reimer – 6-3 Forward – Fishers, Indiana
Prentice – “Set the tone early with 10 first half points. Must continue to lead the way inside.”
Mark – “Playing some of her best basketball. The US can’t afford to have her spending too much time on the bench in Amsterdam.”
Mercedes Russell – 6-5 Post – Springfield, Oregon
Prentice – “Defensively a strong inside presence that helps keep opponents at bay. With her limited touches must minimize turnovers.”
Mark – “Didn’t offer up her usual inside – out attack but was still active in posting and looking to make herself an option. Strong effort on the boards.”
Kai James – 6-4 Post – West Palm Beach, Florida
Prentice – “Strong dominating presence in the paint. Rebounded well but must find her niche and finish offensively.”
Mark – “Posted hard and wasn’t hesitant to mix things up. Needs to make herself a consistent threat and create her own options on the catch.”
Now for a few thoughts on the U18’s in their romp over the Brazil.
Lexie Brown – 5-9 – Point Guard – Suwanee, Georgia
Prentice – “Did a great job running the offense and setting up teammates. Needs to understand that it’s OK to look for her shot as well.”
Mark – “Was impressive and confident right from the tip. Had her moments both ways but the upside is something to look forward to.”
Brittney Sykes – 5-9 Combo Guard – Newark, New Jersey
Prentice – “Stat stuffer. Think Tweety Nolan with more athleticism.”
Mark – “Double – Double with points and assists. Impact play in every facet of the game, has to be on the floor.”
Michaela Mabrey – 5-11 Guard – Holmdel, New Jersey
Prentice – “High IQ player. Found a way to contribute on a cold shooting night.”
Mark – “Facilitated the offense but couldn’t seem to find her own opportunities. Lots of effort at both ends of the floor.”
Allisha Gray – 5-11 Guard – Sandersville, Georgia
Prentice – “Explosive player that was solid on defense but needs to become more assertive on offense.”
Mark – “A talented scorer who might just be a bit too patient in waiting for her own looks at this point.”
Jannah Tucker – 6-0 Guard – Randallstown, Maryland
Prentice – “College body that is working hard but appears to be waiting for something to happen.”
Mark – “Seems to be struggling on the offensive end but still offered up some staunch and physical on ball “D”.”
Breanna Stewart – 6-4 Forward – North Syracuse, New York
Prentice – “Offensively forced opponents to choose their poison and still made them pay. Was her usual defensive presence”
Mark – “Dynamic, versatile and productive…the whole package and then some. Better yet, still seems to be advancing her game.”
Alexis Prince – 6-2 Wing / Forward – Orlando, Florida
Prentice – “Silent assassin…Cool, calm and collected with ice water in her veins.”
Mark – “Continues to produce with impressive consistency. Steady improvement while already at an elite level.”
Morgan Tuck – 6-2 Forward – Bolingbrook, Illinois
Prentice – “The kind of complimentary star that’s a quiet leader and deceiving in her production. Workhorse.”
Mark – “Playing with strength, maturity and confidence. Her consistency keeps defenders honest and allows teammates to do what they do best.”
Bashaara Graves – 6-2 Forward – Clarksville, Tennessee
Prentice – “Was a beast on the boards and dominated in the paint.”
Mark – “Seems to be looking to create off the dribble more and capitalize on an explosive and lengthy first step…Hard to contain for any defender.”
Imani Stafford – 6-7 Center – Los Angles, California
Prentice – “Productive on the boards in limited action.”
Mark – “Still looking to find her role but the tools are obvious and just need to be put into focus.”
Kendall Cooper – 6-3 Post – Carson, California
Prentice – “Was very active in posting strong and battling for position. Needs to be more patient around the rim.”
Mark – “Worked hard to create her opportunities but failed to convert some of the good looks that she created. Strength, effort and focus are impressive.”
Additional article contribution by Prentice Beverly.
