St. LOUIS, Mo.– USJN’s 9th Annual Gateway Challenge hosted its largest field to date this past weekend when more than 120 teams made their way to St. Louis. While Division I coaches were unable to attend, there were over 40 college coaches from all other levels as well as national scouting services evaluating talented student-athletes from across the Midwest. Lindenwood University provided a great venue for players, coaches, and spectators.
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://usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=358
Here’s a quick recap of some of the impressive performers from Sunday’s championship action.
Kierra Collier – 2017 – 5-6 – Point Guard – (Prairie Village, Kan. – Kansas Eclipse 17 Red) – The Eclipse had a lot of players step up this weekend. One of their key playmakers was Kierra Collier. Their skilled, smooth left handed point guard did a great job running the offense and scoring at will. She was very effective in the transition game while her length and athleticism created problems for opponents defensively. She had multiple deflections and steals that led to layups. Her ability to make plays on both ends of the floor and commitment to defense was refreshing.
Holly Forbes – 2017 – 5-10 – Guard/Forward – (Bonne Terre, Mo. – Missouri Magic Basketball Academy) – The Magic Basketball Academy got quite the offensive performance from Holly Forbes. A versatile guard/forward, Forbes was aggressive and able to get to the basket whenever she wanted. She has great body control that leads to consistent finishes around the basket. Forbes has a high basketball IQ which combines with size and strength to post up smaller defenders and take slower opponents off the dribble. It is clear that she wants to score, but she is also a great passer. The defense started adjusting to her drives and she made several great reads that led to open shots or layups for her teammates.
Mary Lakes – 2017 – 6-5 – Forward/Center – (Peoria, Ill. – Illionois J.E.M.S. 17 Jewels) – One of the taller posts in the tournament, Mary Lakes used her size to an advantage. Lakes did a great job on the defensive end. If she wasn’t blocking shots, she was getting the rebound. Offensively, she has good hands and finishes well around the basket. She continues to develop her skill set providing her the ability to shoot mid-range jumpers or even go off the dribble a little bit. Already displaying a variety of post moves, Lakes will be one to watch as she continues to develop.
Jailynn Lawson – 2017 – 5-6 – Point Guard/Guard – (Peoria, Ill. – Illinois J.E.M.S. 17 Jewels) – Skilled and athletic point guard Jailynn Lawson did a great job running the show and getting to the rim. She was lethal in transition and made tough finishes look remarkably easy. Offensively, she is very well rounded. Not only can she attack the basket, but she can shoot the three or create options for others. Lawson has a great understanding of putting her teammates in position to score (nice post passes). Defensively, she was solid as well with a couple steals leading to transition layups.
Myriama Smith Traore – 2017 – 6-2 – Forward/Center – (Whitewater, Wisc. – Wisconsin Lakers 17 White) – Myriama Smith Traore is known for being solid on the defensive end and deservedly so. She defends, rebounds well and is able to protect the rim. Smith Traore was also instrumental in their transition game. Her ability to rebound and outlet the ball quickly to teammates created more than 10 points in layups in one of their games. She continues to expand her game on the offensive end where she consistently knocks down mid-range jumpers and is also able to hit threes.
Kelsey Winfrey – 2017 – 5-8 – Guard – (Lebanon, Mo. – Missouri Della Lamb 17 Gauntlet National) – Scrappy and hard nosed are good descriptors for Kelsey Winfrey’s game. She is skilled, can shoot the three, and score around the basket. However, it was her hustle plays that made it seem like she was everywhere. She came away with every loose ball, corralled several offensive rebounds, and was getting after it consistently on the defensive end.
Jenasea Bishop – 2018 – 5’7 – Guard – (Hammond, Ind. – Indiana Baylor Basketball 16 Navy) – Athletic and explosive, Jenasea Bishop is fun to watch. She has great handles, solid skill sets, and is able to consistently attack the basket. Bishop uses her repertoire to get to the rim. She can call on either a nice hesitation or crossover, using them both confidently to score.
Catie Eck – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard – (Springfield, Ill. – Illinois Predators 16 Lowis) – Catie Eck is a big guard that played well this weekend. She has a solid skill set and showed that she can score in a variety of ways. Eck is able to knock down threes, hit pull up jumpers, and attack the basket, while getting to the free throw line. She made good decisions in transition and showed a good change of direction with her crossover.
Kate Martin – 2018 – 6-1 – Guard – (Glen Carbon, Ill. – Missouri Blue Star St. Louis 16 Lovette) – Another player that showed great versatility was Kate Martin. Not only is she a great shooter with great footwork, but Martin continued to show that she can attack off the dribble and finish at the rim. She is also a big guard that plays hard defensively. Marting causes steals in the press and rebounds the ball well.
Myriah Noodel-Haywood – 2018 – 6-0 – Guard/Forward – Belleville, Illinois – Missouri Team St. Louis 17 Red) – One to keep an eye on is Myriah Noodel-Haywood. She is an athletic wing that is silky smooth when attacking the basket. She has a nice skill set and is able to finish with either hand. With her great handles, size, and athleticism, she is able to get to the rim and find results.
Keya Patton – 2018 – 5-8 – Point Guard/Guard – (Indianapolis, Ind. – Indiana Team Pride 17 Gorman) – Keya Patton was one of the more complete offensive players on hand. She is a skilled scoring point guard that has a quick trigger and can produce from anywhere on the court. She hit a couple of threes, got to the rim, and spent a lot of time at the free throw line. With her scorer’s mentality and aggressiveness, she is tough to stop.
KK Rodriguez – 2018 – 5-8 – PG/G – (St. Louis, Mo. – Missouri Team St. Louis 17 Red) – Team St. Louis 17 Red got a lot of contributions from different players on their roster, but KK Rodriguez’s performance was spectacular. An aggressive, skilled point guard, she has a good shooting stroke as well as great handles and court vision. Her change of speed created numerous opportunities for her to get to the rim, hit the mid-range jumpers, or exploit open looks for teammates. Rodriguez uses her athleticism well on both ends allowing her to make aggressive plays defensively.
Aijha Blackwell – 2019 – 6-0 – Guard/Forward – (St. Louis, Mo. – Missouri Team St. Louis 17 Red) – Aijha Blackwell is another versatile player that had a great showing this weekend. Blackwell has nice length and athleticism. In one situation she made an incredible catch in transition for an And 1 finish. She can attack the defense in a variety of ways and create opportunities for her teammates. Definitely one to keep an eye on.
Precious Browning – 2019 – 5’7 – Point Guard – (Gary, Ind. – Indiana Baylor Basketball 15 White) – Baylor Basketball got great production from Precious Browning. Their athletic floor general sets the tone. She has good court vision, can penetrate and pitch, as well as make a perfect pass on the pick and roll. Browning is able to take care of the ball against pressure as she uses her great handles (behind the back, crossover, in and out) to create space and opportunities for others.
Taiyanna Jackson – 2019 – 6-5 – Forward/Center – (East Chicago, Ind. – Indiana Baylor Basketball 16 Navy) – If you haven’t seen Baylor Basketball’s Taiyanna Jackson…you should! Jackson is an athletic post that will score around the basket in a variety of ways. She can run the floor hard for transition layups, score on lobs or post moves, and is solid at finishing putbacks. Jackson also shows the ability to go off the dribble at times. As demonstrated by a nice quick start layup from the short corner. Defensively, she is long, mobile, blocks shots and rebounds the ball.
