PICKERINGTON, Ohio—Staying power and consistency are the hallmarks of any successful athletic endeavor. Whether you’re talking teams, athletes or even events, the “flash in the pans” come and go but it’s the ones that provide a high level of performance across time that set the bar high for their peers.  USJN continues to be the industry standard when you look at the year in-year out slate of club basketball opportunities.  Offering over 50 different events in 2018, the USJN banner flew in three different locations this past weekend with the all-important non-scholastic NCAA Evaluation window just around the corner. (4/20 – 4/22)

One of those sites was Columbus, Ohio which recently played host to one of the most memorable NCAA Final Fours in history.  The third annual USJN Capital City Showcase returned again to the Buckeye State and continues to grow in stature as one of the promising “new” events on the club landscape.  Programs from five different states made up the 48 team line-up looking to fine tune their game with a busy summer schedule looming in front of them.  There was a full range of talent levels and ages in the gym offering up plenty for the evaluators and recruiters roaming the sidelines of the four floors of Pickerington Central High School.  Here are some the athletes who caught our eye on our return to Columbus.

Jenna Batsch – 2021 – 5-9 – Wing – Cincy Swish 14 Johnson– Has some length…Individual skills are there…Active with and without the ball…Anticipates well defensively…Going to develop

Lacy Bradshaw – 2022 – 5-8 – Swing – Kentucky Storm Elite– Physically strong…Can change up positions…Strong enough to challenge some bigs but first step is equal to some guards…Not afraid to mix things up…Gets to the rim…Comes up with some boards

Ashlynn Brooke – 2023 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Indiana’s Best Elliott– Young point…Solid ballskills…Confident on the attack…Can create both shots and passes…Sees defenders both on and off the ball…Watch

Leah Butterbaugh – 2021 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Cincy Chargers 15– Strong individual skills…Can create and improve her own options…Gets to the rim on the break or out of sets…Attacking mentality….Form is there both spotting up or on the pull up…Assertive on ball defender 

Carly and Chloe Callahan – 2021 – 5-8 – Guard(s) – Hidden Gems Blue– Active guards…Good skills and instincts…Constantly in motion…Looking to attack on the catch…Both have a wiry build but neither hesitates to take it into traffic…Ability is there to create both shots and passes…Form and range keeps defenders closing out…Assertive on ball defense also come with good anticipation from two passes away…Potential is there to grow for both

Maya Chandler – 2020 – 5-7 – Combo – Indiana Flight Attack– Sound skills…Aggressive with the ball in her hands…Good passing instincts…Can get to the rim or pull up…Showed a step back as well…Assertive on the ball defensively 

Megan Downing – 2022 – 6-1 – Post/Forward – Team Ohio Coffee– Lefty…Young with both good size and a sound frame…Had some strong moments…Effort appears to be there…Has plenty of promise…Only going to continue to improve

Bree Hall – 2021 – 6-0 – Wing – Sports City U– Steady advancements in her game…Showing more and more in her attack…Good reads and quick moves…Smooth and fluid in her effort to get open…Jumper has elevation and stroke to force defenders to be there on the catch to contest…Size and lateral footspeed make her a major asset defensively in virtually any scheme…Focus shows in her game…Keep watching

Mackenzie Hurd – 2022 – 5-8 – Guard – Team Ohio 14 Grinstead– Strong and solid build…Sound ballhandling…Crossover is there…Got on the offensive glass…Works on defense but footwork needs sharpening 

Gabby Hutcherson – 2020 – 6-2 – Wing – Sports City U– Playing with more and more confidence…Much more active without the ball…Makes the effort both to get open and to attack quickly on the catch…Combines strong ballskills with her length to challenge defenders…Elevates off the drive and pull up…Understanding and reading more defensively…Tools are there to be an impact on both ends in almost any scheme…Consistency is adding another level to her game 

Laini Joseph – 2021 – 5-8 – Guard – Indiana’s Best Red– Decent size and solid build…Aggressive and assertive on both ends…Solid ballskills…Reads the floor…Makes good decisions in transition and the halfcourt…Passes efficiently on the break… Understands the game

Naomi McDaniel – 2019 – 6-0 – Forward – Indiana’s Best Red– Good length with a lean build…Active and agile…Can create her own looks off the dribble…Navigates through traffic in the paint…Good lateral speed for size defensively…Got on the offensive glass

Kilyn McGuff – 2021 – 6-0 – Wing – Capital City Comets– Lean with some length…Plays upright at this point but has some ballskills to call upon…Crossover is effective…Works well in traffic as the bigs rotate…Strength will come with more age and experience

Alexia Mobley – 2022 – 6-1 – Forward – Ohio Future Mobley– Some size…Impressive length and athleticism…Young and just tapping into possibilities…Lots of agility and footspeed both offensively and defensively…Some ballhandling and passing are there…Fluid in her movement to get open…Can work up high but has the tools to be effective down low as well…Elevation serves her on the boards and defensively…Strength and refinement will come with time…Limits are her own 

Felesia Ondongo – 2020 – 5-8 – Guard – Capital City Comets– Athletic guard…Demonstrated speed with and without the ball…Knocked down some spot up jumpers…Got out in transition…Can attack off the dribble and should do so more often

Annie Rauch – 2019 – 6-2 – Forward – Ohio Future Shumate– Productive with size…Efficient down low or working from the high post…Versatility makes her a challenging match-up…Works hard to make herself available…Good body control going up with contact…Has a strong awareness of defenders and positioning…Makes plays 

Aarionna Redman –2020 – 5-9 – Guard -Team Ohio Coffee– Good size and athleticism…Ballskills are there…Passing is sound but decision making needs sharpening…Form is sound…Has possibilities but consistency will be key moving forward 

Alex Richards – 2021 – 6-0 – Forward – Indiana Flight Attack– Young forward with nice size and build…Shows her youth but made some plays…Can put it on the floor for a one or two dribble drive…Deceiving first step for size…Physicality will evolve with age

Emma Shumate – 2021 – 5-11 – Guard/Wing – Ohio Future Baker– Length and skills combo…Wiry build but active and effective…Can develop her own options or improve those of teammates…Fluid stroke is there to keep defenders honest…Floater serves her well off the drive…Mixes direction well on the attack…Added strength will be an asset down the road

Katie Shumate – 2019 – 5-10 – Guard – Ohio Future Shumate– Size with strong ballhandling makes her an impact on the catch…Moves are low to the ground and difficult to contest…Deceiving quickness to her first step…Creates options on the break or attacking in halfcourt scenarios…Elevation is surprising particularly on the floater…Still room to grow on both ends of the floor 

Josi Smith – 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – Capital City Stars– Good size, frame and strength…Can work down low or from the elbows…15 footer is there…Active in making herself an option…Consistent contributor…Awareness on defense

Faith Stinson – 2022 – 6-1 – Forward/Post – Capital City Stars Doorman– Young post with both size and build…Good strength for age…Agile for size and can run the floor efficiently in transition…Long strides…Decent form and touch but needs to work around the rim more to keep defenders honest…Some post moves are there…Plenty of tools and promise 

Allie Stone – 2022 – 5-5 – Point Guard – NEKY Swish– Instinctual and skilled young point guard…Mixes up her attack with change of speed and direction…Hesitation is very effective…No reservations about taking it into traffic…Can pass well at speed…Quick release on her shot…Makes things happen