Indianapolis played host to the 15th annual USJN Mid America Challenge and Blue Star media was out in force with Courtney Locke and Natalie Jarrett both in the gym for all the action. Almost 150 teams made up the 36 pools of competition in four separate divisions.
For a look at all the participating teams, results, pool all-stars and more, follow the link below to the USJN post-event page.
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=429
With four sites and 36 courts to check out, Courtney and Natalie had a busy weekend. Here are some of the athletes who caught their eyes.
COURTNEY LOCKE
Nora Ahram – 2022 – (IL-All IN 15 Kahleaf 5’5 G)- Tough…Attacks the rim hard…Solid body
Janelle Allen – 2020 – (IL-Elite 14 Black 6’2 F)- Great body for age…Mobile…Can stretch the defender to the arc…Power dribble and score at the rim…Defends on perimeter
Fantasia Baines – 2020 – (IL-Lady Meanstreets 14 Armstrong 6’0 G/F)- Smooth, long and athletic…Sees the floor…Slasher to the rim…Can score over smaller defenders…Quick first step…Scores around the rim
Brittany Barnard – 2018 – (IN-Lady Huskies 17 6’3 G/F)- Smooth…Change of speed when she wants…Needs consistent effort…Stretches defense to the arc…Can score in a variety of ways
Addie Budnik – 2020 – (IL-All IN 15 Truding 6’1 G/F)- Big wing/4…Guard skills…Very comfortable rim to rim…Rebounder
Myia Clark – 2018 – (IL-Elite 17 National 5’9 G)- Athletic guard…Can knock down the three…Active on defense…Pressures the ball…Driver…Can finish in traffic
Alyssa Crockett – 2022 – (IN-Sky Digg 13 Eldredge 6’1 G)- Great size for age…Three point shooter…Could be very good
Halle Douglass – 2020 – (IL-All IN 15 Truding 6’1 PG/G)- Long…Can get to the rim…Handles pressure…Great passer…Lots of promise
Morgan Frank – 2020 – (IL- All IN 15 Truding 5’10 G)- Can create for others…Knack for the ball…Plays hard…Attacks the rim…Player
Chelsea Gibson – 2019 – (IN-Team Indiana 17 Burton 6’1 G)- Big wing/4…Smooth…No motor…Fundamental…Drop passes from high post…Range to 15 feet
Shamarre Hale – 2018 – (IL-Lady Meanstreets 17 Ivory 6’3 C)- Great hands and body…Finishes well around the rim…Very mobile…Comfortable with the ball rim to rim
Mackenzie Hare – 2022 – (IL-The Truth 13 Silver 5’7 G)- Long guard…Solid body…Can create for others…High IQ
Jazmyn Harmon – 2020 – (IL-The Truth 14 Black 5’8 G)- Athletic, college ready body, bounce, can elevate at the rim, gets to the rim at will, 3pt range
Autumn Jones – 2021 – (IL-Lady Meanstreets 13 Dillard 5’9 G/F)- Athletic…High post driver…Thick solid body…Can elevate at the rim to score or rebound
Greta Kampschroeder – 2021 – (IL-The Truth 14 Black 6’0 G)- Sees the floor well…High IQ…College body…Scores in a variety of ways
Sammi Matoush – 2019 – (IL-Predators 17 Crum 5’11 G)- Shooter…Confident…Quick release…Shooter!
Meg Newman – 2021 – (IN-Sky Digg Elite 13 Eldredge 6’2 G/F)- Pro body…Moves like a guy…Great change of speed and direction…Disappeared on the court at times
Jessica Nunge – 2019 – (IN-Elite-Swish 16 Hisle 6’2 F)- Long mobile post…Finishes well around the rim…Moves well without the ball…Flashes hard…Stretches defense to the arc
Jade Nutley – 2021 – (IN-Faith 13 6’0 G/F)- College ready body…High IQ…Face up four…Good passer…Strong…Runs very well…Good feet laterally…Can attack the rim off the dribble
Chyna Scott – 2019 – (IL-Evolution 17 White 6’1 G/F)- Thin and long…Long arms…Turn around jumper…Attacks gaps…Can create space for pull up jumper…Shot blocker
Hayley Semple – 2018 – (IL-All IN 17 Schoenbeck 6’0 G)- Long wing…Sprints the floor…Finishes at the rim…Offensive rebounder…Floater…Mid-range pull up jumper
Lexi Shadowen – 2019 – (IN-Elite-Swish 16 Hisle 5’8 G)- Solid guard…Sees the floor…Three point range…Can get to the rim
Lizzy Shaw – 2018 – (IL-All IN 17 Schoenbeck 5’7 G)- Great take to the rim…Can attack with either hand…Sees the floor…High IQ
Antreese Shelton – 2020 – (IN-MBA Select 14 6’2 F/C)- Vocal…Mobile…Plays top of press…Long…Gets deflections…Sees the floor…Passes very well
Daijah Smith – 2018 – (IL-Lady Meanstreets 17 Ivory 6’0 PG/G)- Super athletic…Long…Great handles, Three point range…Elevates at the rim…Needs to use her handles to get past defense
Lexi Shelton – 2021 – (IN-Midwest Finest 13 Team Larkin 5’8 G)- Savvy…Bulldozer in the paint…Shooter…High IQ
Ajulu Thatha – 2019 – (IN-Team Indiana 17 Burton 6’2 F)- Pro body…Runs like a deer…Lefty…Can score around the basket, Makes the right pass out if doubled…Needs to be a consistent offensive threat
Jamiyah Thomas – 2019 – (IL-Evolution 17 Teal 6’2 F)- Athletic four…Can attack off the dribble…Active on defense…Rebounder…15 foot range…Needs to develop left hand
Emma Utterback – 2019 – (IN-Team Indiana 17 Burton 5’9 G)- Quick…Motor…High IQ…Good shot…Consistent
Antwainette Walker – 2018 – (IL-Rockets 17 Red Ondik 5’11 G)- Very athletic…Raw but plays hard…Needs to develop for skills
Lilly Wehman – 2018 – (IL-All IN 17 Schoenbeck 6’1 F)- Can play on the perimeter…Great drive…Cuts hard…Good handles
Maddy Yelle – 2018 – (IL-Evolution 17 Teal 5’9 G)- Thick guard…Bulldozer at the rim…Hits the offensive boards
NATALIE JARRETT
Janelle Allen – 2020 – (IL Elite 14 Black 6’2 F) – Good inside presence with a solid frame…Showed good variation in skillset with the versatility to play inside out…Straight line driver with confident enough handles to get to rim…Communicates defensively
Fantasia Baines – 2020 – (IL Lady Meanstreets 14 Armstrong 6’0 G/F) – Lean, lengthy frame…Nice size and fluid body movements for age…Length allows her to be a disruptive defender…Has the athleticism and length to be more of a force on the boards…Does not assert herself enough…Good upside
Kelby Bannerman – 2021 – (IL Hoop Dreams 15 White 6’0 F) – Lengthy stretch four…Will feel her on post ups…Uses a good low wide base to seal out defenders…Nice feet in tight quarters…Comfortable back to basket…Needs to develop countermoves on block
Anya Brooks – 2018 – (IL Elite 17 National 6’3 F) – Lengthy post presence…Physical and does not mind contact…Good feet in tight quarters…Skilled countermoves to match…Comfortable on any block…Skilled enough to finish with left or right hand
Kathryn Bullman – 2020 – (IL The Truth 14 Black 6’0 G/F) – Long…Fundamentally sound stretch four…Lots of versatility…Ability to deliver strong, accurate passes…Good skillset both inside out
Mya Clark – 2018 – (IL Elite 17 National 5’9 G) – Physical, athletic guard…Defensive minded and ready to get in a low defensive stance…Showed good decision making in half-court…Strong, tight handles…Her high motor made her enjoyable to watch…Needs to find confidence in shot to diversify skillset
Halle Douglass – 2020 – (All In 15 Truding 6’1 PG/G) – Long lanky point…Nice size for age and position…Facilitates and handles ball well…Nice knack for game with good court vision…May still be growing into body…Needs to improve lateral footspeed
Jade Edwards – 2018 – (Flow Basketball Academy 5’9 PG/G) – Thicker combo guard…Can take a hit when attacking gaps…Dynamic passer and creative off the dribble…Ability to create for self and teammates around her putting them in good position to score easily…Firmly believe that she could be a standout player…Lacks a consistent effort…Can be too unselfish at times
Vannessa Garrelts – 2018 – (IL Elite National 5’6 PG) – True workhorse with toughness in her veins…Heady with a good feel for the game…Ability to see the floor well…Relentless and not afraid to make plays from the floor…Can be a pest defensively to the opposing team…Your greatest ally as a teammate
Chelsea Gibson- 2019 – (Team Indiana 17 Burton) – Strong solid frame…Good lateral movement to extend range beyond three point line…Most consistent from midrange game…Good passer from the inside…Possesses ability to be special…Lacks a motor
Shamerre Hale – 2018 – (IL Lady Meanstreets 17 Ivory 6’3 C) –Strong sealer in the paint…Will work to bury defenders deep…Does not apply this great gift consistently…Lengthy, college ready frame…Solid physique and desire to mix it up physically makes her a big target…Good hands to run and catch in traffic
Jazmyn Harmon – 2020 – (IL The Truth 14 Black 5’8 G) – Athletic guard with a solid frame…Gazelle in the open court…Looking to outrun opponents and score easy layups in the open court…Athletic slasher that finishes around rim…Motor is always going…Irritating on ball defender
Greta Kampschroeder – 2021 – (IL The Truth 14 Black 6’0 G) – Athletic solid frame…Strong on-court demeanor with the maturity and poise to match…Gets in a low defensive stance…Wants to be a threat on both ends…Handles and passes ball well…Ability to step out and knock down three
Jessica Nix – 2018 – (IN Flight 17 Strike-Chandler 5’9 G) – Aggressive IQ guard…Blue-collar mentality…Active offensively and always on the move…High motor with a good feel for the game…Physical rebounder…Working to get inside position early
Jessica Nunge – 2019 – (IN Elite Swish 16 Hisle 6’2 F) – Long mobile post…Finishes well around rim…Good game understanding…Moves well without ball…Makes herself a good outlet on hard flashes…Low physical presence on the block but soft touch to step out and shoot three
Lucille Robertson – 2020 – (IN Elite 14 Fosskul 6’3 C) – Long proportionate post…Good size for age…Mobile movements…Good potential
Lindsey Rogers – 2020 – (IL The Truth 14 Black 6’0 G/F) – Nice size and frame..Lefty…Skillset to play inside out…Has the ability to step out and shoot threes…Matching vision to deliver on passes…Communicates on floor…Can be a liability defensively…Needs to improve footspeed
Kylee Schneringer – 2020 – (IL Rebels 15 Wong 5’10 PG/G) – IQ guard…Nice feel for the game…Attacks gaps and distributes effectively…Needs to improve footspeed
Daijah Smith – 2018 – (IL Lady Meanstreets 17 Ivory 6’0 G/F) – Long wiry versatile guard…Possesses natural athleticism and smoothness…Good body control…Can alter shot in air…Size can be a mismatch nightmare…Ability to score from anywhere on floor…Most effective off the dribble…Good defender in open court…Will work to turn ballhandler…Can knock down three but shot can be flat
Keegan Sullivan – 2020 – (Sky Digg Elite 16 Phillips 6’0 G) – Nice size guard…Good instincts…Solid frame…Attack mentality to get to rim…Not afraid of contact…Capability to finish
Jamiyah Thomas – 2019 – (IL Evolution 17 Teal 6’1 F) – Face up forward…Already developed college ready frame…Athleticism and natural long stride allows her to get out and run floor well…Accurate passer from the high post…Ruthless on the boards
Antwainette Walker – 2018 – (IL Rockets 17 Red Ondik 5’11 G) – Athletic guard…Long wiry frame…Good elevation on jumper…Understands how to avoid contact on rim attack…Will make you work on offense and make it hard to get around
Amber Wolf – 2020 – (IN NWI Thunder 14 Blue 5’10 F) – Long, athletic stretch four…Good feet…Good motor…Can guard multiple positions…Will excel further at the next level with the ability to be an outside threat
Maya Wong – 2020 – (IL Rebels 15 Wong 5’8 PG) – Good size…Creative floater game at rim…Savvy ballhander with the ability to get into gaps…Purposeful on attacks…Looks to get past defenders hips…Finds teammates and distributes the ball well…Needs to work on using left hand and developing a quicker release on shot
