MOORESVILLE, N.C.— While traditional high school state tournaments are looming just around the corner, championship fever has already struck many of the talented independent schools hoping to hang a banner themselves this year. The third annual Independent School Nationals presented by Insider Exposure highlighted last weekend’s action returning once more to the Tar Heel State and the Talbert Recreation Center.
On the girls side, 19 teams made the trip to Mooresville representing seven different states and three provinces north of the border in Canada. Delaney Rudd, who coached Westridge to last year’s title, was back again this time leading highly regarded Winston Salem Christian (N.C.). At the same time 2019 runner-up Blair Academy (N.J.) returned hoping to avenge their final round loss of a year ago. When the smoked cleared for Sunday afternoon’s final, Coach Rudd and the Buccaneers were lined up once more facing each other for national bragging rights among independent schools.
It was obvious the final was going to be a classic right from the start. While Winston Salem Christian held just a two point lead after one period, Blair suffered more than a simple two point deficit. Impressive and evolving 2022 post Tabitha Amanze collected three fouls forcing her to the bench for the remainder of the half. Unfortunately for Amanze, her teammates and the fans on hand, the third foul came on an absolutely blown charging call that wasn’t remotely close. Granted, two other fouls were solid calls and on her shoulders but this wasn’t even debatable. None the less after eight minutes of play the Lions led 16 – 14. Winston Salem added to their lead in the second as Blair struggled to find offensive consistency among a series or turnovers and carless fouls on the defensive end. The Lions stayed in attack mode throughout successfully converting turnovers and pushing their lead at the break to 30 – 22. The third period started as if the Lions were about to open things up getting the lead to double digits at the 5:24 mark. Blair wasn’t about to roll over that easily and with 2:17 to go in the period forced Rudd to call time out having narrowed the lead back to just three. The Bucs had two chances with under a minute to go to either tie things up or take the lead but ultimately had to settle for a two point deficit entering the final period of play, 36 – 34.
Amanze had returned to action in the third picking up her fourth and exited the game for good on another very questionable charge with 5:57 to play in the fourth. High profile junior guards Olivia Miles and Dominique Darius were up for the fight and with 5:24 to go helped Blair tie things up for the first time since the opening tip. Winston Salem, as they had done throughout, responded and it wasn’t until the three minute mark before Blair was able to get their first lead at 44 – 43. Once again, the Lions responded. Winston Salem executed a precision press attack for an easy lay up at the 1:09 mark to lead 49 – 46. The final minute was all Lions as they contested defensively and even blocked a Miles three pointer with just over 20 seconds remaining to keep the game a two possession affair. In the end, Rudd and the Lions celebrated a hard earned but much deserved win with a 53 – 47 victory. Impact junior interior power player Kiandra Brown was named MVP showing off her continually improving game on both ends of the floor. Classmate Sandrine Cleca was instrumental in Winston Salem’s success both Sunday and throughout the weekend.
Any collection of teams like this is bound to offer up quite a few prospects who have the college recruiters already talking or are in the process of generating the interest that will open doors in the future. Here’s some thoughts on just a few of the standouts who were in action in the 2020 Independent School Nationals last weekend.
Randria Anderson – 2020 – 5-10 – Guard – Legacy Early College – Campbell College commit…Lean build with good length in the backcourt…Athletic and fluid in all her movement with and without the ball…Quick release on the jumper…Range is there…Effective in traffic with the ball…Does play a bit upright at times…Length and agility play well on the defensive end
Mary Asare – 2022 – 5-9 – Guard – J. Addison School – Strong and athletic young guard…Active and aggressive on both ends…First step is explosive…Gets deep but can both pass and score it herself…Went coast to coast on occasion…Touch and range are there to force close outs…Plays with enthusiasm…Makes plays
Kiandra Brown – 2021 – 6-3 – Post – Winston Salem Christian – Advancing game continues to shine…Adds another level each time out…Physicality is college level already…Mixes things up on both ends…Attacks on the catch…Reading much more efficiently particularly on double teams…Willing to kick it out and get it back…Strong and consistent presence on the boards…Gets it out quick to trigger transition…Will gladly hold her ground and take a charge…Also qualifies for an Oscar at other times with the flop…Impact player anytime she takes the floor
Channing Chappel – 2020 – 5-5 – Point Guard – DME Sports Academy – Wright State commit…Text book skills…Deceptive appearance athletically…Makes plays with skills and instincts…Competitive on both ends of the floor…Understands her gaps on the defensive end with close outs…Will be challenged by ultra-quick defenders but won’t beat herself
Teniesha Clarke – 2022 – 5-10 – Guard – TRC Academy – Young, physically strong guard…Plays with effort…Has an attacking mentality…Cuts hard and with intent…Can create some looks off the dribble…Strong lower body challenges defenders…Low release is there right now but form is sound…Agility should allow her to defend any spot on the perimeter
Sandrine Cleca – 2021 – 5-10 – Combo – Winston Salem Christian – Impact guard…Speed and quickness combines with physical strength…Sets the tempo on both ends…Plays the game at speed…First step is long and quick…Can get to the rim but just as adept with the floater…Plays with good awareness of her interior options both in transition and off penetration in the halfcourt…Aggressive and physical defender…Takes an ownership in her match up…Makes plays on both ends
Kaiya Creek – 2020 – 5-11 – Guard – National Christian Academy – Nice size and build…Deceptive speed and quickness…Makes herself an option as teammates cut or drive…Understands spacing…Impressive range and touch force honest closeouts…Nice shot fake and first step come into play with productivity…Could mix the attack up more…Nice strength serves her well on interior drives…Active and aware as a defender
Dominique Darius – 2021 – 6-0 – Guard – Blair Academy – Talented player who continues to add to her game…Showing more and more depth on both ends of the court…Triggering transition with uncanny down floor passing…Awareness on both ends is as good as it gets…Mixing her own attack up with penetration and pull ups…Defense was exceptional utilizing agility, strength and aggressive effort
Shayeann Day-Wilson – 2021 – 5-4 – Point Guard – Crestwood Prep – Small but dynamic established point guard…Quick and explosive on the catch…Reading and creating more…Playing with judicious patience…Mixes speed and direction both on the break and in the halfcourt…Efficient off the drive both delivering the pass or getting herself to the line…Tools to be a one man press attack…Quick and harassing on ball defender
Rebecca Demeke – 2020 – 5-11 – Wing – Crestwood Prep – North Carolina State signee…Length on the wing…Smooth and fluid…Lean build…Can put it on the floor to create or improve…Nice stroke spotted or pulling up…Good vision…Should only evolve more at the next level…Weak hand needs some attention…Nice agility on the defensive end
Alphonsia Eleko – 2022 – 6-0 – Forward – St. Laurent – Young and active forward…In the middle of all the action…Mobility is eye catching…Great first step for size and age…High post drive is there…Form is solid…Elevates on the glass and going up on the interior…Just discovering her potential
Taya Ellis – 2022 – 6-1 – Forward – Royal Crown Academy – Eye catching size and athletic build…Plays with effort…Mechanical at times but just coming into her own…Showed off mid-range pull up…Attacked quickly inside…Some tools are there…Length and reach make her an asset in any defensive scheme…Don’t ignore…Keep watching
Dominique Ennis – 2022 – 5-7 – Guard – King’s Christian College – Wiry built point…Solid ballskills…Hesitation move serves her well…Penetrates to create both shots and passes…Spots up comfortably…Understands and relocates to keep herself an option…Strength will come with maturity
Gabby Grantham-Medley – 2023 – 5-9 – Guard – Saint James – Physically strong young guard…Willing to use it…Aggressive attacking mentality…Active without the ball…Good body control going up with contact…Gets off the floor on pull up and perimeter jumper…Lateral speed on defense lets her corral quicker guards…Only going to improve
Sabou Gueye – 2021 – 5-9 – Combo – Putnam Science – Wiry guard with a little length…Quick and active…Always moving without the ball in her hands…Off the drive improves both shots and passing options…Hesitation is effective weapon…Speed translates to transition…Pushes from misses and turnovers…Nice pull up with decent elevation…Quick and long on the defensive end
Messiah Hunter – 2021 – 6-2 – Guard – TPLS Christian Academy – Well regarded…Smooth and fluid with size…Good understanding of role…Effective off the drive and from the perimeter…Pull up is text book and productive…Elevation is there on the shot…Patient on the catch…Reads defenders…Sees the weakside of the floor…Has all the tools to be an impact defender now and at the next level…Limits are her own
Emma Koabel – 2022 – 5-10 – Guard – Niagara Prep – Nice size in the backcourt…Possesses some sound ballskills…Cuts hard to make herself an option…Tools are there to take it into the paint…Pull up has good touch…Can deliver the interior pass as rotations come…Handles contact for age
Latasha Lattimore – 2021 – 6-5 – Forward / Post – Crestwood Prep – Did nothing to diminish top tier regard…Becoming more active and assertive in making herself an option…Working one pass ahead and recognizing options quickly…Tools are there to dominate or compliment as needed…Gets out in transition…Can run the floor with the guards…Perimeter passing and decisions still need some attention at times…Becoming an impact presence on the glass at both ends…Defensively appears to be more aware and seeing off the ball consistently…Remains among the elite
Angelina Mbengo – 2024 – 5-8 – Guard – St. Laurent – Going to get very well known real soon…Dynamic and advanced for age…Plays young but with flashes of more…Mature athleticism for age…Quickness and strength serve her well…No reservations about going in among the bigs…Can handle more than she knows already…One on one skills allow her to create opportunities…Floater works for her…Makes moves at full speed…Crossover is lethal at times…Will attract a crowd quickly
Brianna McLeod – 2022 – 6-3 – Forward – Excel Hoops Prep – Has both the size and the build at a young age…Nice agility…Active with energy on both ends…Strength will have to come…High post drive is there…Decent shot fake…Small forward motion on shot…Got on the offensive glass…Seems unsure at times but has lots of tools…Watch
Olivia Miles – 2021 – 5-11 – Point Guard – Blair Academy – Continues to set the bar…Mixed attack between halfcourt and transition at opportunity…Recognizing when to change the pace more and more effectively…Picks her spots to keep her own match up honest…Range and penetration continue to make her a challenging match up…Ability is there to make the “big” play in crunch time both for herself or a teammate…Playing with an enthusiasm for the game…Fun to watch except from other bench
Morgan Moseley – 2020 – 6-0 – Wing / Guard – Saint James – East Carolina commit…Nice combination of size and skills in the backcourt…Left hander…Cuts hard and with intent to make herself available…Smooth jumper is there pulling up or spotted up deeper…Nice awareness of the floor around her…Size and lateral speed is a big plus defensively
Donna Ntambue – 2020 – 5-11 – Wing – Niagara Prep – Utah commit…Solid athletic build on the perimeter…Impressive first step…Looking to attack on the catch…Utilizes strength to her advantage…Pull up was solid…Form is there…Came up with some boards…Has all the tools…Looking for more consistency
Fernanda Ovalle – 2022 – 6-0 – Forward / Wing – Montverde – Nice size and build…Agile and active but still possesses strength…Diverse skills help her impact in multiple ways…Can create her own looks off the dribble and take it to the rim…Cuts with intent and understanding of options…Deceptively fluid in making plays…Effort puts her in the middle of the action again and again…Can play with contact…Not to be underestimated
Mackenzie Smith – 2012 – 5-9 – Guard – King’s-Edgehill School – Nice size and build in the backcourt…Confident and aggressive with the ball in her hands…Pushes the ball with good vision and recognition…Mixes up her attack with changes in both speed and direction…Has a definite competitive streak…Player you like to play with
Sarah Te-Biasu – 2020 – 5-4 – Point Guard – Niagara Prep – VCU sign…Small but effective point…Speed and quickness with the ball…Can exploit her own options or improve those of her teammates…Has the range and the touch to keep defenders honest…Gets where she’s going fast…Quickness offsets size defensively…Competes
T’yana Todd – 2022 – 5-11 – Forward / Wing – Royal Crown Academy – Good size and solid athletic skills…Runs the floor…Ballhandling is deliberate but efficient…Decent form and stroke…Sound shot selection…Step back creates separation…Conservative but effective passer…Will take her own but sees other’s options as well…Lots of agility and awareness on the defensive end…Just scratching the surface
Mariana Valenzuela – 2021 – 6-2 – Forward – Montverde Academy – Size combines with strength and skills…No secret…Has both physical and basketball tools…Attacking mentality…Reacts without reading at times and has her mind made up…Can make her own opportunities better…Face up game is effective…Strong use of ballskills and both shot and pass fake…Handles contact well and holds her ground with aggressive defenders…A presence on the offensive glass…Consistency needs to come
Bella Weary – 2021 – 5-6 – Point Guard – DME Sports Academy – Compact and quick with the ball in her hands…Tools are there to create both shots and passes…Delivers the ball well on penetration…Good range and a quick release are in place…Sees the floor in transition and makes sound decisions…Assertive and quick on ball defender…Added strength would be an asset
