MARIETTA, Ga.— Kell High School was the setting for the 2015 USJN Southern Qualifier. The event was a great proving ground for the all the participating teams, some that came from as far away as California. Many tightly contested games highlighted the skills and potential of plenty of the young prospects on hand competing for the regional title.
To see all final post event page results and colleges in attendance go to
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=297
Below are a few of the athletes worth keeping an eye on for the future.
2016
A stand out leader and ball handler for the Georgia Playmakers, Jayla Morrow, used this weekend to show of her ever-expanding arsenal. The 5-4 point guard has a much improved three point shot and the ability to find teammates through traffic. Her size may seem limiting to some but the senior to be will surely draw the attention of mid-major programs looking for a leader.
Kristi Deroven is a solidly built, powerful “tweener” with shoulders broad enough to carry the pressure of making clutch interior shots with contact. The 5-11 forward had a bounce to her step when attacking from the high post and body control on the blocks, which led to her collecting her fair share “and-1’s”. Playing for the Georgia Metros, Deroven’s style of play, body type, and ability to show up in multiple statistical categories makes her a great candidate for smaller conference D-I teams.
2017
It’s nice to see a player above the 6’4” mark that can do so many things well. A natural shot blocker and rebounder, Arielle Wilson has found the rest her game and it’s showing flashes of a young DeWanna Bonner. Her contributions to the NC Hoop Dreams included an unexpected ability to handle the ball in the open floor and hit shots from beyond the arc. Wilson’s 6-5 frame is lean but she does not fear contact. She does prefer to face the basket and will have to keep working on her three point shot to make defenders commit to the perimeter. Demonstrating growth over the past year, it’s clear that she is open to working hard and her future is bright.
Sometimes a player makes her presence known due to her talent and other times it is because of hustle. In the case of Janelle Cook hustle and talent came together this weekend for the GA Playmakers. The 5-7 guard was willing to sacrifice her body for tough rebounds and loose balls. When needed Cook hit shots and played hard-nosed defense. If she keeps her hustle meter on high, she could find herself with several offers.
2018
With many talented posts showing their best over the weekend, it was not easy to standout from the crowd. Playing with FBC, Jada Rice did stand out showing a mature understanding of the low block and how to create opportunities for herself. The 6-2 post plays naturally with her back to the basket and finished from both blocks while also attacking with confidence from the elbow. At a young age she is equipped with a good motor and an instinct for rebounding. Her age gives her plenty of time to work on her mid-range shot. There are likely some larger conference opportunities in her future.
A slasher with a collegiate frame and a consistent pull up, De’sha Benjamin has many tools. Fresh off a GHSA Championship with Lucy C. Laney H.S. (Augusta, Ga.), the 6-0 forward finds gaps to attack and has the size to rise above most defenders. Her body type allows her to compete for boards and finish with contact for the GA Sting. Benjamin was able to defend at the arc this weekend but will need to continue to invest in her perimeter defense to get bigger looks.
2019
In a time where coaches are question the toughness of players, there are few players playing with the same level of grit as Asia Todd. The 5-8 guard had no problem making passes that her older peers shy away from. Playing with the Blue Star Carolina Lion chasers, she also knew when hold back. Todd may actually enjoy playing physically. She scored the majority of her points with contact. The mid-range shot is in place and she’s working on consistency at the arc making her one player to keep an eye on.
If you wanted to smile this weekend, all you had to do was watch Ashley Bowen. Standing 6-2, she discovered just how good she potentially could be. After a slow start in the first game of the weekend she went on a run which included a near triple-double performance later the same day. Bowen has a big frame, light feet, and the hand-eye coordination to be a game changing shot blocker. The Georgia Metro smiled her way to averaging a double-double while sinking short corner shots like they were layups. With improved conditioning Bowen could go big time.
Matt Huddleston has invested over 20 years on the sidelines and in the gyms of women’s basketball. The past three seasons he served as an assistant coach at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Prior to that, he was instrumental in helping build and develop the Georgia Metros Athletic Foundation into one of the nation’s premier club programs. During that time Huddleston helped coach 12 Nike All-Americans, four McDonald’s All-Americans including eventual NCAA National Player of the Year and current WNBA All-Star Maya Moore.
