CINCINNATI, Ohio – The 12Th Annual USJN Premier Invitational Midwest lived up to its name one of the nation’s premier events during the first half of the July evaluation period. On hand were over 300 college coaches to see in excess of 200 teams from across the United States along with a couple of party crashers from Canada. As expected at any UJSN event it was a top notch, well organized tournament and didn’t disappoint while providing a ton of talented young ladies of all ages and classifications the opportunity to compete in front of college programs from all levels.
For more information including complete results, participants, pool All-Stars, college coaches in attendance and more, follow the link below to the USJN post event page.
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=319
To see the HCP video from the 12th Annual USJN Premier Invitational – Midwest, click on the following link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqbe-XgFJX0&feature=youtu.be
The USJN Premier Invitational did an excellent job showcasing lots of talent. We really enjoyed taking in the action and saw a wide range of prospective student athletes. The following players caught our eye:
It’s always good to watch good guard play and Lady Lightning guard 2019 Samantha Mitchell caught our attention. At 5-6 she’s scrappy and does a great job attacking and creating off the bounce. Mitchell finishes at the rim and has a nice midrange jumper but is a sniper from beyond the arc. She shot lights out this past weekend draining multiple 3pt field goals. Mitchell did a great job navigating through full court pressure and involves her teammates. Being a solid on ball defender makes it all worth watching. Mitchell plays with a quiet confidence and with continued development has a chance to be a mid to high major recruit.
In a class starving for shooters, the 5 foot 9 2016 point guard Hannah Whitish, who plays for Wisconsin Academy, certainly brings plenty to the table. Whitish was serving and filling it up, carving out multiple three pointers in route to dropping 20 points an 64-61 upset victory over an extremely athletic Cy Fair Team Ogwumike Nike. Whitish along with draining 3 pointers scored by attacking and finishing with contact in the paint. She’s also a tough scrappy defender on the perimeter that likes to eat by jumping passing lanes converting steals into easy buckets. Whitish one of the best shooters in the class also did a great job getting her teammates involved by feeding them and putting them in position to score as well. She needs be more vocal, otherwise Whitish is a high major prospect that brings a feast to the table.
The first time I saw Cy Fair Team Ogwumike’s 6-3 2016 Joyner Holmes as an 8th grader I was in awe of her athletic ability and looked forward to the day that her skill level would catch up to her super heroine type athleticism, well that day has arrived. Holmes advanced skill set was on display, she was dropping no look dimes with pinpoint precision as well as constantly knocking down the midrange jumper. Holmes on more that one occasion grabbed the rebound off the rim and went coast to coast dishing to slashing teammates or finishing at the rack herself. Holmes defensive prowess is still there jumping passing lanes for steals as well as blocking shots. The best is still to come for Holmes, the USA gold medalist, is only scratching the surface of her true potential.
We are always on the look out for young rising stars and 2018 6-1 Erin Howard, who hails from Madison, WI, is definitely one to keep eyes on. Howard has a smooth all around game reminiscent of a young Lady Vols and current WNBA star Tamika Catchings. Howard showed the ability to stroke the mid range jumper that included several 3 point bombs. She also has a nice low post game, which includes facing up and attacking off the dribble. Howard did a good job defending on the block as well as on the perimeter. She is not ready to be crowned the next Tamika Catchings only time will tell but Howard is definitely on the right path and with the help of former Wisconsin Badger hoop star James the future is bright for Howard. The potential is there.
Long athletic 6-3 prospects are always in demand and with continued development 2018 Jada Rice for FBC 14U, will be that prospect. She has a long athletic body with long arms. Rice plays a very aggressive game at both ends of the court. The freshman has a nice low-post game and finishes well in the paint while getting to the line often. She also showed a smooth face-up game as that includes being a good passer and running the floor extremely well. The long arms and nice hops helped her to dominate the boards. Defensively, Rice defended both the low post and showed flashes on the perimeter as well using a reckless abandon while contesting several shots and scrapping for loose balls. She has huge upside with Major DI potential.
Enjoyed watching 2017 6-0 forward Kayla Owens from Cy Fair Team Ogwumike she offered up several plays that set her apart from the talented Team Ogwumike squad. Explosive and long and wiry, she has the tools to make plays at both ends the ability to be a game changer. She does a great job getting out and finishing off the break. Owens also likes to attack the paint off the bounce or make backdoor cuts for easy baskets. She even caught a couple of alley oops. Defensively Owens does a great job using her long arms to disrupt the passing lanes and deflect passes or get the steal. Owens has a spring to her steps; she’s a presence on the glass at both ends. Owens best basketball is ahead of her.
Whenever I walk in the gym the first thing I tend to gravitate to the post players and 2016 6-5 Ally Fink from Plainfield, IL has a polarizing presence. Fink has a college ready body with a nice array of low post moves. She can score with either hand in the paint. Fink does a decent job running the floor transitioning from offense to defense and vice versa. She is a solid physical defender on the low block and closes out well on the wing. Fink battles for position and rebounds well at both ends. I really like her size and game.
Lady Lightning 13 Columbia 5-9 2019 PG Francesca Kokkines the quick, ultra speedy guard played a stellar all-around game. Kokkines likes to attack off the dribble, with either hand, looking to create contact and finish in traffic. She also showed the willingness to manufacturer her shot by attacking off the bounce as well as consistently draining the spot up jumper and three pointers. Kokkines did a great job of pushing the ball up the floor on made and missed baskets. She played aggressive at both end of the court and has a knack for being around the ball. Kokkines dropped several timely dimes in crunch time as well. She rebounds well for her position. Kokkines has all the tools to be a big time point guard. Kokkines has mid to high major potential written all over her game.
Like I said earlier, I always gravitate to big post players and 2017 6-5 Eva Rubin of Homewood Flossmoor also caught my attention. Rubin has a college body to go along with her nice low post game on offense. Defensively, Rubin did a good job defending the paint and rebounded well. She did a good job running the floor and displayed a lot of effort. With continued development at both ends of the floor Rubin could project as a major D-I player.
Phenom 12 2020 5-6 guard Sean-kelly Darks who hails from Cincinnati OH, played really well. Darks played really well leading her team while attacking at both ends utilizing her speed quickness and strength to her advantage. She showed excellent command of her dribble and responded well to intense pressure defense. there’s a nice touch from behind the arc and as well as a floater in traffic that is equally impressive. She has a solid frame that helps her absorb contact in the paint but also must continue to develop her all-around game. She is definitely a must watch. On the other end, Cummings is an excellent on ball defender with lockdown capabilities.
QUICKHITTERS
Nadia Green 2017 G 5-9 Homewood Flossmoor – Athletic frame…Pushes the rock… Attacks…Game Changer
Holly Lueken 2019 W 6-0 Lady Lightning 13 Columbia – Long feisty…Spot up shooter knocks down the 3 ball…Attacks off the dribble
Jada Wright 2017 6-3 C Meanstreets 15 Ivory – College frame…Moves well…Rebounds…Runs Floor…Finishes in the paint
Paige Warren 2017 C 6-4 Capital City Stars 15 – Big…Long arms…Defends… Rebounds both ends…Good hands…Runs floor
Layne Ferrell 2019 GF 6-0 Cincinnati Heat Premier 14 – Nice frame…3pt stroke…Runs floor…Defends well…Runs floor finishes off the break
Gabbie Marshall 2019 G 5-7 Cincinnati Heat Premier 14 – Shooter…Solid Defender…Good handles…Smooth Operator…Midrange game…Swag
Lauren Thomas 2018 F 6-0 Dayton Lady Hoopstars 14 White – Long aggressive…Nice low post game…Good job defending the paint…Rebounds
