National Harbor, MD – The 22ndAnnual USJN 16U-12U National Championships returned to the beautiful banks of the Potomac River and the Gaylord National Harbor once more this year, and keeping with Patriotic basketball tradition, we were once again treated to plenty of fireworks on the court. Nearly 170 teams representing 14 states and Canada made their way to town from near and far to close out their July schedule.
In the 12U Division, Topnotch pulled off a string of impressive victories and represented the Big Apple all the way to the end, taking down a very good Powermove squad from their home state, 44-41. One of the youngest (and smallest) players in the building, Arielle Lopez stepped to the line in the closing seconds and buried both ends of the bonus free throws to putting the game on ice.
Moving on to 13U, the Jersey Cardinals used a couple of second half coaching adjustments and an impressive performance from 2024 guard Mikayla Blakes to defeat a deep and talented Maryland Belles squad 58-46 in Saturday’s Championship tilt.
New Heights claimed bragging rights in the 14U Division after holding off a tenacious comeback effort by the Philadelphia Belles in the quarterfinals Friday night. They followed with emphatic victories in both the semis and finals. The guard trio of Ariel Little (2024), Kayla Hopson (2023), and Zaria Lewis (2024) led the charge all the way. The Springfield Lady Ballers settled for runner-up this time around to wrap up their club season.
The march to the 15U Championship game was particularly arduous, but the final showdown featured two talented clubs in the Saratoga Sparks and CT Spirit. The game was tightly contested, but the Spirit’s depth at the guard position proved to be the deciding factor in their 50-38 victory.
Last, but not least, a highly anticipated Nike Girls EYBL match-up emerged in the 16U title game between the Fairfax Stars and Philadelphia Belles. Neither team is a stranger to big moments and they treated the crowd to a competitive game. It was the Belles who took this round, 59-55, shooting a good percentage from deep and getting solid play inside from 2021 forward Kaitlyn Ammons.
The 2019 Blue Star Nationals were also held at the same time last week in the Gaylord National Resort. For complete coverage of that event, check out our own Mark Lewis’ report here:
https://bluestarmedia.org/blue-star-nationals-belong-to-belles/
And of course, for full results and pool All-Stars, get over to USJN’s website using the link below:
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=592
Here are some quickhitters on just a few of the promising young players who made their way to D.C. last week.
Kaithlyn Adams – 2023 – 5-9 – Guard – Carolina Waves 15 Chambers – Can handle the ball with some pace and power…Rebounds her own misses and goes up again and again…Good job getting to the basket in transition….A lot going for her…Mid range shot is developing…Playing a year up
Sidnee Bowden – 2023 – 6-1 – Forward – Mac Basketball 14 McNamara – Moves well…Back pedals defensively with good vision and speed…Finished in the paint at a good rate…Vocal on defense…Engaged and loud even from the bench…Strong build definitely an asset
Camille Crooks – 2024 – 5-10 – Forward – Team Takeover 13 Murray – Build is there to be a successful rim-runner…Great job getting 10 toes square to the baseline and finishing…Soft touch off the glass…High activity rate
Alex De Iasi – 2024 – 5-10 – Forward – Jersey Cardinals 13 Klinger – Young, lefty forward…Noticeable improvement this spring and summer…Toughness at the root of her growth…Coming into her own…Adjusting to size…Will take 15 foot jump shots…Skills will continue to evolve
Imani Eubanks – 2021 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Fairfax Stars 16 EYBL – Sees the floor well…Can fit passes through tight spaces…Three point shot looks good…Will get to the basket at a high rate in transition…Can absorb her share of contact
Lilliany Ferguson – 2022 – 5-11 – Wing – CT Spirit 15 Ruiz – Can score from all over the court…A threat inside and out…Consistent three-point weapon…Step back is there…Blocked shots with long, strong arms…Can cover some ground…Slashes her way to the rim
Anna Foley – 2023 – 6-1 – Forward – Evo Elite 14 – Good size and build…Put it on the floor some in the open court…Rebounds…Can throw baseball pass the length of the court to find a runner…Some guard-like handles and passing ability
Kayla Hopson – 2023 – 5-6 – Guard – New Heights 14 Gladden/Little – Strong, athletic gamer…Attacks the rim…Protects it in traffic…Good passer…Sees open players…Intensity is evident
Lemyah Hylton – 2022 – 6-0 – Guard – Team Ontario 15 – Scores in a variety of ways…Nice scoop finishes…Calls on the reverse lay ups when needed…Good passer on the pick and roll, even with defensive pressure…Pull up shot can find the bottom
Makayla Jackson – 2023 – 5-8 – Guard – Fairfax Stars 14 – Puts points on the board…Good finisher in traffic…Gets buckets in transition…Can pull up for the three three…Advances the ball well with the pass in the open court…Tools are there to be a good defensive player
Alana Joy – 2026 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Team Takeover 12 Gray Conteh – Lanky young point…Has some pound to the handle…Weaves through defenses…Shoots the gap defensively…No issue passing ahead in transition…Gets into people on defense
Abigail Krzewinski – 2023 – 5’9 – Wing Forward – MN Crossfire 14 Vaughn – Versatile offensive game on display all week…Will post up, work the high post, and play out on the wing…15 foot range…More than comfortable putting it on the deck to attack
Zaria Lewis – 2024 – 5-7 – Guard – New Heights 14 Gladden/Little – Great athlete…Shows it on defense…Gets steals and tips…Fast and physical…Can hit tough shots off the bounce…Knows how to play…Gets ups for tips
Amany Lopez – 2023 – 5-7—Point Guard/Guard – Springfield Lady Ballers 14 Gee – Experience at a young age…Emerging shot creator…Three-point and mid-range jump shooter…Gets on the floor and hustles after loose balls…Effective with the ball in open court…Crafty, quick defender
Kiyomi McMiller – 2024 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Philadelphia Belles 14 Flynn – Showstopper at the lead guard spot…Exceptional ballhandling…Assists draw defensive and crowd attention…Sparkplug effort for her team…When her jumper is falling defense must close out tightly inviting penetration
Destiney McPhaul – 2021 – 5-9 – Point Guard/Guard – Philadelphia Belles 16 EYBL – Lefty combo…Smooth pull up jumper…Lightning quick with the ball…Combination of athletic ability and skill development coming together
Bethany Overby – 2025 – 5-10 – Guard/Forward – NY Topnotch 12 – Aggressive…Very athletic…Not new to the game even at a young age…Good instincts…Handles to get to the rack…Defenders have trouble stopping her…Lefty…Gets stuff done
Shailyn Pinkney – 2024 – 5-8 – Guard – CT Spirit 15 Ruiz – Consistency from beyond the arc…Elevates and knocks it down…Power guard play…Good athletically
Kennedy Ramsey – 2026 – 5-2 – Guard – Team Takeover 12 Black Powell – Makes plays on both sides of the ball…Element of physical maturity already…Pushed steals for points…Understands defensive help and deny…Accelerates quickly with the ball…Lefty…Waiting on the jump shot to come
Jessica Ross – 2023 – 6-2 – Forward – MCW Starz 14 Tiffany – Likes to post…Advanced move set and footwork…Long reach helps on defense and the boards…Can turn and score either direction / either hand…Scores in pick and roll game…Will improve with age and strength
Cheyenne Rowe – 2022 – 6-2 – Forward – Team Ontario 15 – Runs down loose balls…Collects plethora of offensive rebounds…Chins the ball and turns to find her outlet…Makes herself a big target in the post…Can score with her back to the basket…Upper body…15 foot range is still developing
Destinee Salgado – 2024 – 6-0 – Forward – Team Sol 13 – Size is an eye-catcher…Surveys the floor when she catches it inside…Will block shots…Pushes the recovered attempt to score the other way…Will face up and take the mid-range jumper…Long stride up and down the court
Emma Shields – 2022 – 6-2 – Wing – Saratoga Sparks 15 – Long stride with the ball…Uses her length to run the floor plus release turn around jumpers in the paint…Great passer…Pull up shot is a weapon
Kennedy Umeh – 2024 – 6-2 – Forward – MD Belles 13 Shabazz – Asserts herself and makes presence known in the paint…Finishes well…Stronger with the right hand…Footwork is legit…Will initiate and power up through contact
Ella Wigal – 2023 – 5-9 – Guard – Ohio Express 14 – Skilled player…Gets to the rim through a crowded lane…Shoots the three…Delivered pinpoint passes in transition…Pulling up off ball screens
Anaya Wilson – 2025 – 5-2 – Guard – Annandale Lady Bulldogs 12 – Versatile scorer…Changes direction with the ball effectively…Three ball was consistent…Pushed with good pace in transition
Jaeda Wilson – 2024 – 5-8 – Guard – Germantown Lady Panthers 14 National – Power playmaker with the ball…Smooth with wrecking ball mentality…Can score at will at times
Meghan Yarnevich – 2025 – 6-0 – Guard/Forward – Powermove 12 Dorsey – Does a variety of things for team…Effort in pursuit of loose balls and rebounds…Will post up one possession then bring the ball up the next…Lefty…Scrappy…Can be a relentless finisher in the paint…Hasn’t quite put it all together yet but on the way
