By Christi Abbate
The USJN Fall Finale proved to be a spectacular way for the 2013 club season to end, especially for the many players, coaches, families and spirited fans that kicked things clear back at the beginning of spring. The 8th version of the annual event was held for the second consecutive year at the Island Garden in West Hempstead, New York. The three court venue hosted 33 teams representing seven Northeast states. The high level of competition led to in excess of 80 Division I programs being on hand as well plenty of others recruiters from all differing divisions.
The teams, ranging from 14U through 17U, competed in four games over the NCAA Fall Evaluation weekend and had rosters filled with talent at all levels. Some of the high profile teams present included the Philadelphia Belles, Exodus, Lightning, Rivals and Honey Badgers. There were several classic battles of perennial powerhouse club programs, including some great Exodus versus Philly Belles match-ups.
The fierce competition certainly brought out the best in some of the best players on the court, such as 6’3 versatile Kiah Gillespie (2015, Meriden, Conn. – yung & tha Restless), 5’6 point guard Bianca Cuevas (2014, Bronx, N.Y. – Exodus), 5’10 guard Brianna Jones (2015, North Babylon, N.Y. – Philadelphia Belles), 5’11 forward Marina Mabrey (2015, Belmar, N.J. – Exodus) and 5’5 point guard Lauren “Boogie” Brozoski (2015, Cambria Heights, N.Y. – Lightning Slater).
The lunchtime game on center court proved to be a great match up on both Saturday and Sunday. The Lightning Slater team raced to an overtime win in Saturday’s contest by virtue of a lay- up from the OT tip. Sunday’s game featured two teams from Massachusetts, the Rivals 16 White and the Boston Showstoppers 16 Lassiter. The Rivals are an aggressive team, comprised of players ranging from 8th grade through post graduate. Following tough defensive stands, they attacked well in transition, and settled into their five out spread offense.
They played this weekend without their top 100 prospect, 6’1 point guard, Davida Dale (2015, Providence, R.I. – Lasalle Academy). Lorraine Cox (2014, South Boston, Mass. – Tilton School) is a lefty shooter who goes hard for defensive rebounds. Saliah Serrette (2014, Weston, Mass. – Brewster Academy) has great defensive instincts and Melissa Baptista (2014, Somerville, Mass. – Somerville HS) is crafty and manipulates her 6’0 frame well to finish in the paint. A certain player to watch is 8th grader (2018), Jannai Crooms, out of Cranston, Rhode Island. She is an athletic, slasher with good ball handling skills that she utilizes to handle ball pressure and gets to the basket. Strength and power help her finish and she should continue to develop the consistency of her three point shot. The Boston Showstoppers are led by sisters, Sayawni Lassiter (2017) and Ednaija Lassiter (2016) from Newton North High School in Boston, Mass.
The young Honey Badgers are an unselfish, 14U basketball team. Their roster is filled with players who can shoot it from the perimeter and pass the ball effectively. Their unique offensive system of handoffs and backdoor cuts, along with their aggressive, pressure defense has allowed them to compete at the highest level.
Greg Flynn’s 10th Grade Lightning team went 4-0 against some of the top young teams and two solid older groups. They’re well balanced and ones to keep an eye on as they continue to develop. Alexis Perdue (2016, Lindenhurst, N.Y. – Lindenhurst HS) has good court awareness and vision at the point. Alexis Fotopoulous (2016, Hampton Bays, N.Y. – Hampton Bays HS) shoots the open three well while Alyssa Torres (2016, Bohemia, NY- Connetquot HS) is a hardworking, athletic wing. Amanda Kelly (2016, Bethpage, N.Y. – St. Dominic’s HS) is a 3/4 who demonstrates good understanding of the game in many ways and Jessica Fressle (2016, Levittown, N.Y. – Division HS) is an aggressive rebounder with great physical assets.
One particular matchup of 14U teams that was a pleasure to view was the Lightning 14 Ramaliu versus Coaches Choice Lightning Hurricanes 14 Blue. Both teams demonstrated good fundamentals including the often hard to find spacing and ball reversals. These concepts are great to see at any level but especially out of 9th graders.
Most Improved Player from this time a year ago – Najiah Redford (2015, Great Neck, N.Y. – Lightning Slater) – 5’7 guard…Solid handle…Quick first step…Gets to the basket…Looks to penetrate and set up teammates…Plays with a lot of energy
Sianni Martin (2015, Philadelphia, Pa. – Philadelphia Belles Nike 16 Blue) – 5’3 point guard…Plays on both ends of the floor…Very active defensively creating scoring opportunities
Jasmin Wilson (2015, Chestnut Ridge, N.J. – Coaches Choice Lightning 16 Cappolla) – Great leaper…Gets off the floor quickly…A bit raw but could be someone of interest…Skills need to catch up with athleticism
Lames Elgammal (2016, Baldwin, N.Y. – Lightning Slater) – 6’0 forward…Improved considerably over the past year…Has gained valuable experience playing with top level older players…Will continue to develop her skills
Alexandria Kerr (2017, Fair Lawn, N.Y. – Coaches Choice Lightning 16 Cappola) – 5’7 wing…Lefty…Aggressive…Good skills in the paint…Tough and physical finisher inside
Brianna Love (2017, Neptune, N.Y. – Central Jersey Hawks 14) – 5’7 guard…Slasher with good strength…Gets to the line…Plays on both ends of the floor
Milicia Reid (2017, Bronx, N.Y. – yung & tha Restless) – 5’7 guard…Lefty…Three point shooter
Delphynia Sparks (2017, Bronx, N.Y. – NYC Bulldogs 17) – 5’8 guard…Young player to watch…Conditioning will be key…Nice midrange game…Floater
Taylor Tripptree (2017, East Setauket, N.Y. – Lightning 14 Ramaliu) – 5’7 guard…Fundamental…Court intelligence…Three point range
Jasmin Watson (2017, West Windsor, N.J. – Central Jersey Hawks 14) – 5’6 combo…Scorer…Tough competitor…Decision making should come with experience
Following 16 years of coaching Women’s basketball at the collegiate level, Christi Abbate joins Blue Star as an evaluator and a contributor to Blue Star Media. She comes with experience ranging from Division I to Division III. Following her playing career at Binghamton University, she began her coaching career at Southampton College. Her next stop was at the D-I level with Long Island University that included a conference title and NCAA berth. The past 11 seasons she served on the staff at Iona College including the past six as Associate Head Coach. During her tenure the Gaels landed two MAAC Players of the Year, four MAAC Rookies of the Year, six All MAAC First Team Selections and eight MAAC All-Rookie Team Selections. A native of Dix Hills, N.Y. she currently resides in West Islip with her husband John and daughters Emma (8) and Kate (3).
