PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wisc.– The 14th annual USJN Elite Oktoberfest and Battle of the Programs took place in the long-time tag team sites of the Rec Plex and Waukegan Fieldhouse. As players gear up for their high school seasons, this served as one of the last times these teams will get together in 2018. The event featured over 60 teams from nine different states and three countries. Over 30 collegiate coaches were on site throughout the weekend.
Team Nebraska Attack won Battle of the Programs First Division. Illinois Rebels/Xplosion combined to win the Second Division and Indiana Flight Prime won the Third.
Tony Bleill offered an up-close glimpse of last weekends action from Wisconsin earlier this week. Follow the link below to Blue star Media’s earlier coverage.
https://www.bluestarmedia.org/14th-usjn-battle-of-the-programs-elite-oktoberfest/
Below are some of the players highlighted from the eyes of Rachel Galligan, current Blue Star National Evaluator and former collegiate coach.
Sydney Affolter – 2021 – Forward – IL Rebels/Xplosion – Solid size and athleticism…Battles inside with her strength…Makes a lot happen on the floor…Plays extremely hard…Good rebounder…Always following the ball…Versatile from a face up to down low game
Kamorea Arnold – 2023 – Guard – WI Impact 16 –Young point guard…Highly skilled…Quick first step…Nice change of direction…Confident with the ball in her hands…Capable of getting it to the rim going either direction…Good body control…Aggressive mentality…Confident…Nice release
Kelby Bannerman – 2021 – Forward – IL Midwest Elite 16 –Tough forward…Can handle the ball well with her length…Stretches the floor…Good shot and release…Will face up or play with her back to the basket…Head fakes with hesitation moves inside…Good understanding of space and sense of surroundings
Kylee Blacksten – 2020 – Forward – CO BC Denver 16 –Solid post player…Moves well…Long arms…Runs the floor well…Capable of stretching the floor or working on the inside…Effective from the high post…Gets to the rim…Likes 15 foot jumper
Miyah Brown – 2022 – Guard/Forward – IL Rockford Heat 17 Elite – Athletic guard…Versatile with good size for age…Creates for her teammates…Delivers smart and sound passes…Drives it…Highly effective in the open court running the floor in transition…All of the tools to be a solid rebounding big guard
Angela Dugalic – 2020 – Forward – IL Chicago Hoops Express –Has size and length…Moves well with and without the ball…Effective back to the basket…Uses head fakes and hesitations…Capable of driving it, especially right…Good hands and touch around the rim…Gets to the line often…D-I talent
Juliette Fillion – 2022 – Forward – CO BC Denver 17 France– Stretch #4 with length…Effective in the high post and with her back to the basket…Drives it…Can handle it well on the perimeter…Has the ability to stretch the floor…High ceiling with continued addition of strength
Khaniah Garner – 2021 – Forward – IN Baylor Basketball 17 – Strong…Physical frame…Blocks shots with good timing…Runs the floor…Penetrates…Gets herself to the line…Range to 15 feet…Uses her strength well on the boards
Anna Kiser – 2020 – Forward – IN Flight Thunder Marlin – Strong frame…Solid build…Broad shoulders…Uses strength well…Worker with blue-collar mentality…Plays her role…Tough…Smart and active rebounder…Nice 15 foot jumper
Rachel Loobie – 2020 – Forward – IN Flight Thunder Marlin – Strong, athletic forward…Complete basketball frame…Plays inside or out…Comfortable with the ball in her hands…Aggressive takes at the rim…Continues to work on range and mid-range pull up…Plays well when she sprints the floor…Capable of finishing in transition
Lai’janique Perry-Ellis – 2019 – Guard – WI ABP Athletics 17 –Active guard…Wants to run and get out in transition…Creates looks by sprinting the floor…Makes things happen…Driver first…Prefers going right…Tough defender…Alters a lot of shots with her length…Tools to be a good one
Emma Shepard – 2020 – Guard – NE All Nebraska Attack 16 –Athlete…Solid build…Blue collar…Plays extremely hard…Makes the hustle plays every team needs…Can shoot the ball…Proven from deep…Active rebounder…Good teammate
Abby Stoddard – 2020 – Guard – IN Flight Thunder Marlin –Long, lanky guard…Versatile with size…Handles the ball well…Efficient in traffic…Defends well on the perimeter…Uses her length…Will continue to get stronger…Skilled
Tabytha Toelke – 2021 – Guard/Forward – IL Midwest Wildcats 17– Well-rounded…Versatile…Shoots the three…Has the size to be a force down low versus smaller matchups…Hustles…Plays hard…Coachable…Does her job consistently
Makiyah Williams – 2021 – Forward – IL Chicago Hoops Express –Lefty forward…Basketball build…Highly athletic…Long arms…Can defend inside and out…Raw at times…Still coming into her own…Plays physical inside…Uses strength well…Works for the high low with an understanding of it…Limited range
