CHICAGO, Ill.– A wise man, somewhat of a maverick, once declared, “I want the truth,” to which another equally wise man, albeit slightly more irascible and prone to self-incrimination, responded, “You can’t handle the truth!”  Not only did this exchange lead to the exoneration of Dawson and Downey (kids, get some culture), but also it entered into modern phraseology a true-ism that often does not sit well in grassroots basketball when it comes to the makeup of elite players; the truth, in fact, sometimes cannot be reconciled.

But one truth about elite basketball players is they do the following thing all the time:

Make shots against equal or better competition.

So, if you’re a player (or parent) reading this, ask yourself: do I (or my daughter) consistently make shots?  And do I (or my daughter) do it against equal or better competition, not just an empty gym?

If you feel uncomfortable answering that question (for the time being), or the answer is “not really,” then that’s OK.  Can you, then, as a player or parent, handle that truth?  And if so, what are you going to do to rectify it?  Will you be a different player in July then you are in April?

As always the USJN Midwest Qualifier proved to be an excellent event to showcase some of the top talent in the region, with an exceptionally strong showing of Chicagoland players and teams. The event was run flawlessly, parents cheered for their children and players high-fived their opponents prior to games in an admirable demonstration of sportsmanship.  Below are some of the players that stood out, played hard, made shots, showed real promise, or a combination thereof.

Cierra Bachmann – 2019 – 5-8 – Point Guard – (Channahon, IL – Lady Lightning 16 Silver) – Setup PG with decent handles and good tempo…Passes on-time/on-target to initiate offense…Limited individual offense…Solid intangibles

Nikki Baird – 2019 – 6-2 – Forward – (Wheaton, IL – Lady Lightning 17 Platinum Martinez) – Aggressive, high-energy face 4…Played passionately…Agile on perimeter…Slash drive from trail spot with extension to rim on finish…Plays out of triple threat on catch and thinks pass before dribble…Needs upper body strength to bang on the boards

Amari Banks – 2022 – 5-2 – Point Guard – (Aurora, IL – West Suburban Dream 12) – Quick go-go point guard…Showed off impressive breakdown handles…Small in size but not in heart

Kyla Black – 2021 – 5-8 – Forward – (Skokie, IL – The Throne 13) – Long agile athlete with impressive nose for ball on rebounds and pursues ball out of area…Still naturally raw offensively but has good instincts around the rim

Courtney Blakely – 2021 – 5-4 – Point Guard – (Gary, IN – Hamblin Hoops 15) – Super quick young point guard with burst speed off the bounce…Aggressive in transition attacking larger players…Slipped through defense for finishes with both hands…Three point range…Must pay attention to body language and demeanor when reacting

Daliyah Brown – 2018 – 5-8 – Guard – (Maywood, IL – Chicago Hoops Express 16 Silver) – Power guard of the Tierra Ruffin-Pratt variety, complete with post-up game…Hits holes and bounces defenders off hips…Can run offense and play the point…Has three point range but release and rotation are inconsistent…Shooting hand does not remain pointed at rim…Absorbs contact off bounce…Physical perimeter presence…Forces East-West ballhandling…Emotional player

Jalyssa Carrasco – 2021 – 5-5 – Guard – (Montgomery, IL – West Suburban Dream 13) – Small- package guard with excellent activity…Crafty with the ball…Good touch around the rim…Showed off flotation device over larger players…Three point range is there…Shoots knuckleball due to guide hand thumb pushing through the ball

Myia Clark – 2018 – 5-9 – Guard – (Schaumburg, IL – Elite 17 National) – Top on-ball defender…Relishes playing defense and does not come out of stance…Ability to change direction (drop step) defensively without opening up driving lane…Solid frame…Does not get outhustled…Dives on floor and taps up teammates…Needs to slow down on offense 

Lily Courier – 2020 – 6-1 – Forward – (Lagrange, IL –Chicago Hoops Express 16 Silver) – Physical four with strong frame and solid glue game…Mid-range ability on open jumper…Will improve by playing against older players this summer…Possible tweener if offensive skill set does not improve drastically

Kaylen Dickson – 2018 – 5-11 – Guard – (Gurnee, IL – Full Package 17 Pratt Black) – Long, agile guard/wing running the point for her team…Best suited off the ball at higher levels…Slasher game off straight line drive…Can get to midrange off bounce…Needs to tighten handles if point guard is her future

Celette Drummond – 2020 – 5-5 – Forward – (Melrose, IL – Chicago Hoops Express 15 III) – A rare occasion when the listed height is shorter than actual…Played back to basket and presented good target for entry passes….Dribble drop step move was effective…Could be a tweener based on physical growth

Myja Durn – 2020 – 5-10 – Forward – (Sheboygan Falls, WI – Lakeshore Force 14) – Post player…Could develop into a strong mismatch threat…Shrewd and crafty with the ball in the low post; sets up up-and-under move with slow/slower/slowest crab dribble…Reads low post defender and used leverage against…Average run-and-jump athlete but spatial awareness supersedes track skills…Good rebounder with strong hands….Open-court skill was limited to the right side…Has strength and skill to refine perimeter shooting….Emotional when things didn’t go her way

Krynstyna Ellew – 2021 – 5-10 – Forward – (Chicago, IL – West Suburban Dream 13) – Top rebounder…Absolutely pounded the ORB from everywhere on the floor…Relentless in pursuing the ball…Big, physical forward…Can handle the ball in transition and half court…Showed surprising spin move off the bounce in transition…Gathered and finished through contact…Showed shake-and-go ability from the high post…Played like an upperclassman

Kalvina Eubanks – 2020 – 5-9 – Wing – (Bellwood, IL – Chicago Hoops Express 15 III) – Athletic wing…Understands tempo: when to go, when to slow, and when to “no”…Can finish with both hands…Runs floor hard and can fills lanes well…Creates off bounce to mid-range

Alisa Fallon – 2018 – 5-10 – Point Guard – (Des Plaines, IL – Chicago Hoops Express 16 Silver) – Swaggy lead guard who can play in transition or half-court…Penetrates to dish…Uses baseline drive to set up drift pass…Can read dump-off or skip options based on defensive rotation…Has flair to game but isn’t showy…Threads needle…Reserved scorer…Can hit pound-pull up at 15 feet

Vannessa Garrelts – 2018 – 5-6 – Point Guard – (Spring Grove, IL – Elite 17 National) – Spunky and competitive point guard…Thrives in uptempo offense…Doesn’t take any possessions off…High motor on both ends of the floor…Defends by moving feet and beating defender to spot…Compact frame but doesn’t shy away from contact…Scores either at the rim or from 3 – no in-between

Ambrea Gentle – 2020 – 6-3 – Forward – (Evanston, IL – Full Package 14 Stan Black) – Big-body post…Moves fairly well at her size…Challenges shots defensively…Runs well…Limited offense at this point

Kate Gilfillan – 2020 – 5-8 – Wing – (Naperville, IL – Rockets 15 Red Galow) – Active wing…Good first step on rip drive…Pursues ORB from perimeter…Shot mechanics need continued development

Annaliese Griffin – 2021 – 6-0 – Forward – (Plainfield, IL – West Suburban Dream 13) – Impressive low post threat…Showed advanced understanding of leverage on the block…Strong dribble drop step over right shoulder…Has turnaround over left…Powered up through contact for and-one finishes…Impressive performance

Paige Gross – 2020 – 5-10 – Forward – (Chicago, IL – Flow Basketball Academy 15) – Lanky four…Likely will need to learn perimeter skills at next level…Successful out of high post face up attack…Would benefit from learning reverse pivot footwork to increase face-up success…High motor…Three point range is there but stationary

Taylor Huff – 2020 – 6-1 – Center – (Glen Ellyn, IL – Flow Basketball Academy 17) – Young, big body low post…Surprising quicks and good feel for availability of open space…Showed nifty up and under and dribble drop step moves off crab dribble…Chin and check on catch…Conditioning may hinder ability to play in uptempo system

Jordyn Hughes – 2018 – 5-9 – Guard – (Gurnee, IL – Lady Lightning 17 Platinum Seberger) – Competitive gamer…Makes plays without the ball in her hands…Plays HARD…Strong framed guard who can absorb contact on both ends…Stationary three point range…Solid release…Doesn’t tire and doesn’t take plays off…Needs weak-hand development

Aannah Interrante – 2018 – 5-10 – Wing – (Johnsburg, IL – Elite 17 National) – Gunslinger with the quick three point release…Transition scoring threat on kick-ahead passes…Only needs one to go down to get hot…Footwork makes her a stagger screen option at higher levels…Gets both feet down and elevates in one motion…Crafty with the ball off the bounce…Has awareness of weakside shotblockers…Defensive footspeed could be an issue in the wrong situation

Toree Jackson – 2020 – 6-0 – Wing – (Indianapolis, IN – Hamblin Hoops 15) – Super long athletic wing…Showed off good hang time and raw athleticism…Ball skill development will ultimately determine future success

Lindsey Jarosinki – 2018 – 6-5 – Center – (Medinah, IL – Lady Lightning 17 Platinum Seberger) – Big-body space eater…Showing improved explosiveness from previous efforts…More fluid with ball on power ups, pullover power finishes and step throughs on ORBs…Expectations as a primary low post option might not be met…Defensive presence in paint due to size and wingspan…Continued agility and strength training will increase production

Jonaie Johnson – 2018 – 5-9 – Guard – (Chicago, IL – Chicago Hoops Express 16 Silver) – Athletic off guard with solid frame…Excellent in uptempo system and press defense…High energy…Perimeter game needs refinement

Katie Jorgensen – 2022 – 5-3 – Guard – (Plainfield, IL – West Suburban Dream 12) – High IQ guard…Three point range and solid release…Head up passer….Utilizes shot fakes to get defense off balance…Penetrates to dish

Mia Lakstigala – 2018 – 5-11 – Guard – (Naperville, IL – Lady Lightning 17 Platinum Seberger) – Plug and play option at the guard…Instinctual player who challenges defense off the bounce…Slippery on rip drive…Can drop shoulder and create angles for herself…Uses high-ball screen at the point guard spot…Shot mechanics are slightly unorthodox, but she shoots a tight ball and is generally on target…Excellent transition score

Sydney Mathaison – 2018 – 6’0 – Forward – (Monroe, WI – Academy 17 Pickett) – Solid framed four…Can escape tweener status by continuing to refine three-point shooting…Showed repeatable release with good accuracy…Demonstrated willingness to mix it up in paint defensively…Heavy feet might make her a defensive liability against mobile perimeter players

Brianna McDaniel – 2022 – 5-10 – Guard – (Chicago, IL – Chicago Hoops Express 13 Select) – Elite in the 2022 class…Aggressive scoring guard with the frame of an upperclass high schooler…Creates off dribble and absorbs contact…One-on-one scorer…Breakdown ability from the top of the key…Killer crossover…Three point range is there…Still pushes shot to a degree…ORB from perimeter…Will snatch ball out of midair…Has takeover ability

Nina Montes – 2021 – 5-1 – Point Guard – (Chicago, IL – The Throne 13) – Speedy point guard with good quickness and handles…Looks up the court in transition…Shot mechanics should advance with equal advancement in upper body strength

Tamara Nard – 2019 – 6-3 – Forward – (Chicago, IL – Chicago Hoops Express 16 Silver) – Tantalizing back-to-basket low post prospect…Gains low post position with swim or pin move then releases to ball on catch…Above average athlete…Uses turnaround jumper to advantage to shoot over defense on post move…Rim run threat…Needs to concentrate on finishing through contact and trees…Strong rebounder

Katherine Norquist – 2020 – 5-10 – Wing – (Chicago, IL – Flow Basketball Academy 15) – High IQ wing…Can rebound and push in transition…Long and agile…Handles are a bit clunky at the moment…Showed ability to adjust finish at last second avoiding defense…Skilled

Isabella Paldrmic – 2018 – 5-11 – Wing – (Lincolnshire, IL – Full Package 17 Pratt Black) – Athletic three – four with some tweener tendencies…High IQ…Understands best spacing…Catch and shoot three with a tight release

Aaliyah Patty – 2018 – 6’3 – Forward – (Westchester, IL – Lady Lightning 17 Platinum Seberger) – Agile four – five who showed stretch ability…Defensive deterrent in paint…Rotates off white line to challenge penetration…Higher level may question if she has innate physicality/strength to bang for offensive rebounds….Could be a great get for schools dedicated to player development.

Julie Pospisilova – 2018 – 6-1 – Forward – (Downers Grove, IL – Chicago Hoops Express 16 Silver) – Highly skilled Euro face-up four…High level perimeter skills at the forward…Trail transition scoring ability…Four out or triangle offense system player…Will bang and play to contact…Understands principles at top of press…Has a tendency to float on ORB opportunities…Will continue to evolve

Sydney Prochaska – 2020 – 5-9 – Guard – (Arlington Heights, IL – Chicago Hoops Express 15 III) – Long, agile deadeye shooter…Shooting mechanics unfold and retract in same space on every shot…Transition scoring threat on kick ahead threes…Plays upright but showed surprising burst going right off bounce…Reads secondary defender for dump off…Solid frame with room to grow and fill in

Ella Richards – 2021 – 5-9 – Wing – (Chicago, IL – Flow Basketball Academy 15) – Young three…Finished layups effectively in traffic…Solid frame…Will continue to develop…Footspeed could become an issue in future

Keimari Rimmer – 2019 – 6-1 – Wing – (Maywood, IL – Chicago Hoops Express 16 Silver) – LHD scoring wing with slash game.  High ceiling and will continue to improve as summer progresses.  3 range but needs to be set and shoots knuckleball – needs to improve shooting mechanics.  Transition scorer.  Straight line drive from perimeter.  Must pay attention to on-court demeanor

Lexi Salazar – 2023 – 5-2 – Guard – (Plainfield, IL – West Suburban Dream 12) – Extremely skilled guard…Unteachable natural body movement and spatial awareness…Handles with ease using both hands…Fluid shot mechanics with virtually no pushing movement…Looks every bit the elementary school student but game is big time

Brooke Schramek – 2020 – 6-2 – Forward – (Naperville, IL – Lady Lightning 17 Platinum Martinez) – Solid framed four best suited for system team…Could conceivably stretch defense if three-pointer is refined…Speed to shot is an issue…Runs the floor and plays well with teammates…Needs fundamental defensive work knocking down face-cuts and deep duck-ins…Could evolve offensively

Maddie Stockley – 2022 – 5-3 – Guard – (Aurora, IL – West Suburban Dream 12) – Three point shooter who got white hot from deep…High release on shot…Demonstrated good upper body strength for age

Lolo Tiemann – 2021 – 5-2 – Guard – (Chicago, IL – The Throne 13) – Skilled guard with impressive hand-eye for age…Reads passing lanes on defense and moves to intercept…Can handle with both hands…Shot needs to evolve with physical maturity

Antwainette Walker – 2018 – 5-11 – Wing – (Lisle, IL – Rockets 17 Red Ondik) – Ultra-athletic wing…Thrives in a uptempo system and pressure defense…Leak-out threat in transition…Straight line driver in half court but quick enough to beat secondary defender…Perimeter scoring is limited

Lilly Wehman – 2018 – 6-2 – Forward – (Winnetka, IL – All In 17 Schoenbeck) – Active forward with ability to defend slower threes…More physical than her frame appears…Solid length in zone defense…Can score with time around the rim

Makiyah Williams – 2021 – 6-0 – Forward – (Chicago, IL – Chicago Hoops Express 13 Select) –Lots of length…Lefthanded forward with knack for scoring around rim…Showed willingness to establish post position…Should continue to evolve as she learns to gather before going up…Natural shot blocker and rebounder

Ketura Wilson – 2019 – 5-8 – Guard – (Lynnwood, IL – Showtime Elite 15) – Long, athletic leaper…Anticipates defensively with good quickness…Reads passing lanes….Would benefit from protracted development of fundamentals

Margaret Whitley – 2018 – 5-9 – Point Guard – (Geneva, IL – Lady Lightning 17 Platinum Seberger) – Established high-energy point guard…Can slide to two due to three point consistency…Fundamental offensively…Can play in uptempo system but will get challenged by athletic defenders at the point…Hand-down/man-down range with tight release…Footspeed defensively could be an issue

Caroline York – 2021 – 5-5 – Point Guard – (Chicago, IL – The Throne 13) – Young, crafty point…Solid handles for age…Skill sets will evolve with growth…Pushes the ball on shot with deep dip due to current upper body strength