WASHINGTON, D.C.—While the Democrats and Republicans battle for the right to run things in Washington, USJN continues to maintain control of the “courts” by once again setting the standard in club basketball events. The 29th annual USJN U.S. Junior Nationals returned to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for the third consecutive year to kick off the second segment of the NCAA July recruiting calendar. A deep talent pool featured 348 teams representing 28 states, three provinces in Canada as well as a team of her majesty’s subjects from Great Brittan. Taking in all the action were just under 800 college coaches who enjoyed convenience of 30 floors under one roof making the evaluation process “one stop shopping”.
Champions were crowned in eight separate divisions following competition among 58 six team pools. Three Nike EYBL teams as well as three additional teams who would have made it out of pool play were forced to miss bracket play Monday as a result of their travel plans. The competition was still hot and heavy and in the end top honors for the elite Diamond Division were decided in a battle between two teams from the Rocky Mountains. The Colorado Rockies and BC Denver Elite faced off Monday evening following five pool games and two playoff matchups. BC Denver came through unscathed while The Rockies dropped just one game in seven on their way to the final. In their third game of the day both teams were slow out of the gate with BC Denver holding a 6 – 4 edge after five minutes of play. A quick 5 – 0 run extended the margin to 11 – 4 forcing the Rockies to call time out to stop the momentum of their in state rivals. The message was well received from coaches Kenny VanRyn and Johnnie Bratton as the they returned to the floor and went on a 19 -5 run of their own to take a 23 – 16 halftime lead. The second half started slowly with the Rockies still maintaining a nine point lead with 10 minutes remaining in the contest. Camilla Emsbo, a 6-3 2018 forward, knocked down two jumpers and completed a three point play at the 7:06 mark to take the gap to double digits for the first time in the Rockies favor. With the score standing at 39 – 25 the Rockies took a strategic time out of their own and began working the clock to limit BC Denver’s opportunities. The ensuing foul processional produced no results and the Colorado Rockies grabbed the coveted title as well as some bragging rights back home in Colorado.
For a list of all the participating teams, pool All Stars, college programs in attendance and more, follow the link below to the USJN post event page:
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=383
As always an event this large is prohibitive in terms of just how many teams you can see and still evaluate effectively. While we would love to see them all here are a few of the standouts who have much more to offer than the candidates the Democrats and Republicans have settled on.
Shakira Austin – 2018 – 6-5 – Post – Boo Williams – Had some moments…Lots of length…Can run the floor with the guards…Knocked down the 15 footer…Needs to find consistency in physical play…Productive when she’s more assertive
Kadajah Bailey – 2018 – 6-0 – Wing / Guard – NYC Heat – Long and wiry build…Good athleticism…Can put it on the floor…Ability is there to develop her own opportunities
Julia Blackshell-Fair – 2017 – 5-10 – Guard – Oakland Soldiers – Quick and attacking guard…Gets to the rim at will…Side to side moves are lethal…Makes sound choices on penetration…Finds her way through traffic in transition and off the drive…Assertive on ball defender
Sam Breen – 2017 – 6-1 – Forward – Drill for Skill – Sound skill set for size…Can create her own looks off the dribble…Over uses the option at times…Ability is there to finish with contact…Had moments on defense but not consistency
Sam Brunelle – 2019 – 6-2 – Wing – BWSL Richmond – Worked inside and out…Versatility challenges defensive match ups…Shot is on par with any in the class…Looking for it more…Lots of effort on both ends and on the glass…Physicality will evolve over time…Limits are up to her
Maddie Burke – 2020 – 5-11 – Wing – Philadelphia Belles – Turning a corner…Looking for her options…Pull up was there at times…Made herself a factor without the ball more often…Quick release serves her well
Delaynie Byrne – 2018 – 6-3 – Wing / Forward – BC Denver Elite – Has both size and skills…Form and range are both in place…Some ballhandling gets her to the rim at times…Has a nose for the offensive glass…Upright on the drive…Not overly physical but doesn’t back down either…Defensive footspeed will have to evolve
Katie Cain – 2017 – 6-5 – Post – Hudson Valley Elite – Lots of size…Great frame…Moves well in the half and runs the floor…Keeps it high on the catch…Has had some coaching along the way…Textbook and methodical but efficient…Gets on the glass…Work to do but lots of promise
Chloe Chapman – 2019 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Maryland Lady Terps – Young but well established guard…Speed with and without the ball is on an elite level…Nightmare for defenders in transition…Not hesitant to take it into traffic…Shot is evolving but will need consistency soon…Makes plays on both ends
Taylor Chavez – 2018 – 5-8 – Combo – Arizona Select – Continues to be one of the class’s premier shooters…Quick release forces defenders to be there on the catch…Looking to create more off the dribble…Willing to take contact despite slight build…Aggressive on ball defender…Strength can be a factor at times
Deja Church – 2017 – 5-9 – guard – Michigan Crossover – Decent length and strength at the guard spot…Creates her own with strong individual skills…Can knock it down if left alone on the perimeter
Gabby Connally – 2017 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Team Xpress – Quick and attacking…Change of speed…Pull up is in place…Has range as well…Pushes the ball…Solid passing in transition…Anticipates defensively
Janai Crooms – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard – Mass. Rivals – Athletic and attacking guard…Creates off penetration…Ballhandling makes her a threat on the catch…Assertive in traffic…Touch is there on the pull up as well as spotting up on the perimeter…Could be a strong on ball defender
Ashley Daniel – 2019 – 6-2 – Forward – Blue Star Houston – Evolving game…Posting hard…Looking for her options…Cuts hard without the ball…Running the floor in transition…Going up strong
Kailyn Davis – 2019 – 6-1 – Wing – Connecticut Basketball Club – Decent size on the perimeter…Strong with the potential to grow…First step is there…Some ballhandling is in place…Keep watching
Alana Davidson – 2017 – 6-2 – Forward – Drill for Skill – Active…Has length…Cuts hard…15 footer is there…Worked well in traffic…Knocked down the pull up…Decent passing
Madison Demski – 2018 – 6-2 – Forward / Post – Erie Saints – Active…Has some length…Can put it on the floor to a degree…Comfortable down low and away from the rim…Understands defensive positioning…Strength will have to come
Caroline Ducharme – 2021 – 5-11 – Wing – MCW Starz – Blue Star 30 – Good length already…Skills set continues to deepen and sharpen…Showed off a strong midrange game as well as a floater…Continues to show a strong understanding of the game
Camilla Emsbo – 2018 – 6-3 – Forward / Post – Colorado Rockies – Long and lean…Active and plays with lots of effort…Has shown tremendous advancement over the spring and summer…High post drive is there but so is the 15 footer…Deceiving speed in transition…Works hard on defensive end…Length allows her to alter shots
Andra Espinoza-Hunter – 2017 – 5-10 – Guard – Philadelphia Belles – Looking to create more off the dribble…Offered up some solid passes while penetrating…Mixing up her attack…Shot and range are still her calling card…Assertive on ball defensively…Vison could be better on the weakside
Kimi Evans – 2017 – 6-2 – Post – Philadelphia Belles – Has size and frame…Posts up…Looking for the ball…Willing to play with contact…Decent set of post moves…Consistency??
Tamara Farquhar – 2017 – 6-0 – Wing /Forward – TW Bluehounds – Possibly best athlete in the building…Cut and explosive…Quick…First step is there…Physically strong…Better ballhandler at speed in transition…Crossover is there…Gets into the paint…Spot up shot is sound…Strong and focused on ball defender…Outstanding effort
Azzi Fudd – 2021 – 5-9 – Guard – Fairfax Stars – Blue Star 30 – Creating more and more offense from her defense…Using change of speed and hesitation to get defenders off balance…Choices are evolving as to when to pull up and when to take it all the way to the rim…Playing with effort on both ends of the floor
Mykea Gray – 2017 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Fairfax Stars – Attacking at speed…Creating both shots and passes…Looks for her own but not hesitant to give it up…Pushing the ball at opportunity…Has the perimeter shot to keep the defenders honest…Making plays at both ends of the floor
Naz Hillmon – 2018 – 6-1 – Forward – Sports City U – Continues a strong spring and summer…Physically strong and willing to use it…Plays a simple but effective game…Had some impressive rebounding efforts…Looking more comfortable working in the high post…Willing to work
Jada Hood – 2019 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Minnesota Suns – Young point guard…Small but has some speed and quickness…Crossover is there…Can penetrate
Jamir Huston – 2018 – 6-0 – Forward – Sports City U – Coming into her own…Can be explosive at times…Has a true power game…Picking her spots better but decision making is still evolving…First step is quick and long
Lindsey Jarosinski – 2018 – 6-5 – Post – Illinois Lady Lightning – Has the size and frame…Works hard…Reads and makes some quick moves on the catch…Somewhat mechanical at this point but textbook as well…Work in progress with lots of promise
Mya Jackson – 2019 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Cincinnati Heat Premier – Small but athletic point guard…Attacking mentality…Lots of speed with and without the ball…Pushes from makes, misses and turnovers…Can be an assertive on ball defender
Morgan Jones – 2018 – 6-0 – Guard – Georgia Metros – Dynamic athlete…Plays with intensity in transition and in the halfcourt…Creates her own…Gets deep in the paint and elevates with the bigs…Has the tools to be an impact defender
Cara Judkins – 2017 – 6-3 – Post – Germantown Lady Panthers – Has the size and build…Will get out and run the floor…Can take it to the rim from the high post…Active and makes herself and option…Would look for her to become more physical
Emma List – 2017 – 5-9 – Guard – Colorado Rockies – Lefty…Hard working and physical guard…Looking to attack on the catch…Gets defenders out of their stance…Has the ability to make plays within a set
Elizabeth Martino – 2020 – 5-10 – Guard – Fairfax Stars – Blue Star 30 – Getting to the rim consistently…Handles traffic in transition and off the drive…Attacks quickly on the catch…Has the range and for if the opportunity is there…Anticipated well in full court defensive scenarios
Faith Masonius – 2019 – 6-1 – Wing / Forward – New Jersey Belles – Filling out and playing with maturity for age…Stronger physically…Active with and without the ball…Ballhandling gets her inside…Interior passing is sharp…Willing to share it…Creates in transition and the halfcourt…All the tools
Seanna McNamara – 2018 – 5-11 – Wing – Lady Runnin Rebels – Fluid wing…Has some length…Can put it on the floor…Sound choices…Gets out in transition
Emily Miccile – 2017 – 5-10 – Combo – MT Elite – Decent size at the guard spot…Solid ballhandling and passing…Made some sharp reads on the break and in the halfcourt…Strength will need to come along
Diamond Miller – 2019 – 6-1 – Guard – Team Miller Lightning – Long and lean athlete…Strong ball skills and the ability to create…Cuts hard off the ball and makes herself an option…Reads defenders…Sound form on her shot…Lateral speed is there on defense to go with an impressive wingspan
Reece Mungar – 2017 – 6-1 – Forward – Blue Star Ontario – Impressive size and skill combination…Versatile enough to play on the win or at the #4…Sharp ballhandling for size…Plays a smart game…15 footer is there…Can get out and run the floor with the guards…Impressive performance
Olivia Nelson-Ododa – 2018 – 6-5 – Forward – Georgia Metros – Among the elite in scholastic basketball…Length and skills set her apart…Active both with and without the ball in her hands…Efficient scoring off the drive or posting up…Can run the floor with the guards…Combination of size and vertical lets her play above the crowd…Crashes the offensive glass…Finds herself at the line again and again…Continues to advance her game
Jordan Nixon – 2019 – 5-9 – Point Guard – IExcel – Dynamic young point who continues to impress…Creates both shots and passes at speed…Hesitation and crossover get defenders off balance…Works defensively…Can turn a ballhandler…Among the elite in the class
Olivia Orlando – 2017 – 5-9 – Guard – Mass. Rivals – Solid guard…Ballhandling is there…Got into the paint…Used her pull up…Works hard
Kayla Owens – 2017 – 6-2 – Forward – Cy-Fair Team Ogwumike – Continues to elevate her play…Making herself an option with and without the ball…Is always there in transition…Works well in traffic with effort and impressive vertical…An elite player who continues to improve and advance her game
Chasity Patterson – 2017 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Cy-Fair Team Ogwumike – Finished better with contact…Picked up scoring slack when needed…Sets the pace off makes, misses and turnovers…Utilizing her hesitation more to keep defenders guessing…Quick on ball defender but takes chances on the weakside
Mikayla Pippin – 2017 – 6-1 – Forward Maryland Lady Terps – Versitile at the #4 spot…Can be a factor on the break or from the high post…Works well in and among the bigs with agility…Good strength and aggressive use of it will serve her well against big or small lineups
Laura Pranger – 2017 – 6-2 – Forward – BC Denver Elite – Can post but more a true #4…Active with and without the ball…Can put it on the floor and get to the rim…Reads her defenders…Gets on the boards
Sammie Puisis – 2019 – 6-1 – Wing – Cincinnati Heat Premier – Size and agility…Young with tools…Can spot up but also able to put it on the floor…Impressed more each time out…Major upside
Alisia Smith – 2017 – 6-3 – Forward – Michigan Crossover – One of her stronger efforts…Made herself a factor in transition and the halfcourt…Has deceiving speed for her size…Lots of length…Active on defensive end of the floor…Coming into her own
Sierra Smith – 2017 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Oakland Soldiers – Skilled ballhandler…Will over use at times…Creates both shots and passes…Can get to the rim but has a reliable pull up as well…Listing a new high school on the roster confirming rumors
Ajah Stallings – 2018 – 5-8 – Guard – George Hill Lady Stars – Assertive athlete…Active and attacking on both ends…Gets to the rim…No hesitation about taking on the bigs…Puts herself in the middle of the action…Lefty
Keegan Sullivan – 2020 – 5-10 – Wing – Sky Diggs Elite – Young…Has size on the perimeter…Ball skills allow her to create…Active without the ball as well…Understands and reads what’s developing…Big upside
Stephanie Soares – 2018 – 6-6 – Post – Team Xpreass – Continues to evolve and improve…Appears to be playing with more and more confidence…Looking for her own opportunities…Executing well in pick and roll scenarios…Still very, very lean
Lauryn Satterwhite – 2017 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Arizona Select – Really coming back into form after last year’s knee injury…Going to the rim with more authority…Active hands and feet defensively…Has elite speed on both ends
Megan Walker – 2017 – 6-1 – Wing – Boo Williams – Settling impact on the team…Creating shots and passes off the drive…Over passing at times…Utilizing hesitation and change of speed more…Strong effort on the glass and defensively…Anticipating from the weakside of the floor
Paulla Weeks – 2018 – 5-9 – Guard – Ontario A Game – Explosive athlete…Wiry build…First step is there…Can distribute the ball off the drive…Needs more consistency in finishing among traffic
Tania White – 2018 – 5-8 – Guard – Metro Lady Celtics – Strong…Athletic Guard…Lots of speed and quickness in her attack…Defenders need to be there on the catch…Has some range…Active on ball defender…Could turn it up on the weakside
Jade Young – 2017 – 5-9 – Combo – Philly Triple Threat – Creates one on one…Will attack with contact…Fluid stroke is there with a quick release…Upright at times off the drive…Got on the offensive glass
