If you're looking for a forward that may well have all the tools, you don't need to look much further than Marley Hill.
The holiday season isn't just about Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year's if you're a basketball fan. Virtually every weekend across December and early January is packed with tournament after tournament of exciting action, adding a few more gifts to enjoy before we settle down into conference play and the heart of the season. Any college which claims to be recruiting on a national basis or someone who considers themselves to be within regional proximity to the state of Ohio is going to find their way to the Buckeye state at some point to check out the events and talent on display this time of year.
Two of the this year's stronger events were the long-running Holiday Classic hosted by Pickerington North High School and the Braggin' Rights Classic which changed venues from Columbus to Cincinnati this season. In all, eight teams from four states made their way to Pickerington while 38 schools representing seven different states took part in Cincinnati.
Here's look at some of the talent on hand as well as some thoughts on a few of the teams that left an impression:
Kavunaa Edwards, Pickerington North (Pickerington, Ohio): This 6-foot forward looks good now but should evolve and tap into her real potential at the next level. The Villanova signee has good size and athleticism as well as the perimeter skills that could have her spending her time on the wing once she arrives on campus in Philadelphia. Part of a balanced and well-coached Pickerington North team, she's able to contribute both inside and out for the Panthers. Her mid-range game and touch make her threat away from the rim and her size and athleticism help her attack effectively down low. She can run the floor with the guards and is a factor in both transition and the halfcourt. She wasn't challenged in a first round blow out win but the possibilities are impressive and obvious.
Andrea Hoover, Spring Valley (Centerville, Ohio): One of the most important aspects of recruiting is finding the right "fit" with a college program's style and this Dayton-bound 5-9 combo guard hit the nail on the head. Perfectly suited for Coach Jim Jabir's attacking offensive style, Hoover is a challenging matchup for opposing defenders. Skilled and physically strong, she's able to exploit both and create looks on the drive and off the pullup. She has the stroke and range to force tight closeouts but also the willingness to take it into traffic and mix it up with the bigs. Her vision allows her to see the floor effectively and she's more than willing to give it up as needed for a teammate's better opportunity. At the defensive end she once again utilizes her physical strength and is aggressive both on and off the ball.
Shicole Watts, Harvest Prep (Canal Winchester, Ohio): One of the most attacking and aggressive players on hand at either event was this unsigned 6-0 forward. While Watts may be somewhat undersized in the post her presence is a big one and her approach takes no prisoners. A very instinctual player, she reads both her own defenders as well as those around her. Her choices with the ball are quick and usually result in good looks for herself or her teammates. There's some ballhandling in place as well as a nice pullup that allows her to be a factor from the high post. Around the rim she's quick to roll off her defender and utilize a power game to get a bucket or a trip to the line. Watts provides a strong rebounding effort and doesn't shy away when the pushing and shoving start in the paint.
Kelly Austria, Carroll (Dayton, Ohio): Not many players have the natural instincts that this 5-11 guard has with the ball in her hands. Reading the floor for both her own looks as well as passing opportunities, Austria makes good decisions and delivers on both the shot and the pass. Her size and skill set allow her to improve difficult angles as well as attack the rim on the break or in halfcourt sets. She is a capable shooter that has the range that forces defenders to extend themselves deeper than they're comfortable with. There's a smooth and calculated appearance to her game that can almost allow her to operate under the radar until you realize she's had an impact on almost every play. Her biggest asset may well be that rare quality that allows her to make the players around her better. There aren't many programs that this standout couldn't add to at the next level.
Malina Howard, Twinsburg (Twinsburg, Ohio): The words "work in progress" are usually applicable to a project player but applying them to an elite prospect like Howard is fitting and a compliment. The 21st player in the ESPN HoopGurlz Super 60 is constantly advancing her game whether it's with her club team Sport City U, USA Basketball or now with her Twinsburg teammates. Her aggressive posting is making her a target you could roll the ball to and her attack on the catch is quicker and more assertive than it's ever been. In the high post she's looking more comfortable creating penetration and utilizes effective shot and pass fakes. There's never been anything flashy about Howard's game unless you consider consistent production and output in both points and rebounds flashy.
A'lexus Harrison, Digital Harbor (Baltimore, Md.): This early Maryland commit is only going to make the Terps look smarter and smarter as time goes by. An explosive athlete, Harrison has the size and cut of a college athlete already. With the ball in her hands she exhibits a first step most players would be jealous of as well as the speed to leave her beaten defender in the dust. Her ability to slash into traffic creates both scoring and passing opportunities that she delivers results on. Her vertical gives her good looks inside even when rotating defenders have several inches on her. On the break it's hard not to take notice of her speed and more so, the acceleration that gets her out ahead of almost any player on the floor. She'll need to be more active without the ball and more consistent on the glass to keep defenders honest.
Marley Hill, Pickerington Central (Pickerington, Ohio): If you're looking for a forward that may well have all the tools, you don't need to look much further than this 6-2 standout. She's got the size and the build, a willingness to attack and all the potential to be a major prospect. It's doesn't hurt either that her legs and wingspan give you the impression that there may be some growing yet left to do. With all that being said, there's also some growth to be done on the floor. She works hard, posts aggressively and is willing to get out and run the floor & at times. She doesn't loaf or take plays off, but that consistent, dominant play that defines an elite athlete isn't quite there yet. Her repertoire of post moves will need to expand to lessen her overreliance on the hook and she'll have to be more assertive at holding her seal on defenders. However, if the flashes she's shown are a sign of things to come, she has her future in her own hands.
Kelsey Mitchell's skills are impressive.Ashley Morrissette, Twinsburg (Twinsburg, Ohio): There are not too many players that you can't pick their strong hand from their weak but this 5-9 point guard leaves you guessing until she shoots her jumper. It may be because her individual skills are effectively refined with either hand or it might be because the speed she plays at makes it difficult to pick out. Morrissette pushes the ball at every opportunity off both makes and misses. She'll advance it up the sideline and can feed the post off the one handed pass on either side of the floor. When she penetrates to the rim she can finish in traffic with both hands and isn't hesitant to take a hit with her slight build. Her interior passing is sharp and well read resulting in easy looks for teammates. On the perimeter she has a nice stroke but does shoot it off a somewhat narrow base at times. On the defensive end she has the lateral speed and quickness to be a harassing on ball defender and shows great anticipation in the passing lanes. By the way, she's right-handed.
Cha'ron Sweeney, Rogers (Toledo, Ohio): Anything Cha'ron Sweeney may be lacking in size she more than makes up for in production. Wishfully listed at 5-3, she's a whirlwind of action on the floor that makes her a challenge for virtually any defender. Her quickness and speed put her in position to operate on the break or in the halfcourt without an obstructed view on almost every possession. Getting to the rim seems to be something she can do at will and if the rotations are there she's more than adept at delivering the ball and collecting the assist. At times she's been effective from deep on the perimeter but has struggled with consistency at others. As an on-ball defender she can stay in front of almost any opposing point guard and has the footspeed to turn them time and again.
Cydni Cole, St. Frances (Baltimore, Md.): A young and talented St. Frances team features the likes of standout defender Tyshell King and the size and longterm possibilities of post Infinity Alston. However, it may well be their point guard that will help them take full advantage of their youthful potential. This 5-5 freshman plays with a confidence and maturity beyond her years. Though lacking in size, her ballhandling and passing skills allow her to create her own looks or improve those of her talented teammates. She can push the ball and make decisions at speed that include the intelligence and willingness to pull it out if necessary. On the drive she can get her shot off in traffic or doesn't hesitate to knock down the pull up if the door closes on her. She was effective deeper on the perimeter as well but did tend to step into her 3-point attempts.
Bianca Cuevas, Nazareth (Brooklyn, N.Y.): It seems as though this 5-2 point guard has been around for a while though she's just now suiting up for her first high-school season. Her club play with Exodus over the past few years has more than prepared her for the level of competition she'll face scholastically and she's not wasting any time making an impact for her Nazareth teammates. While her size and build may reveal her age, nothing about her game indicates inexperience. Her attacking individual moves get her past defenders for both the shot and pass. She keeps the ball low and is quick in her ability to get an opponent off balance. In the paint she's capable of getting her shot off among the size she encounters but is equally skilled at threading some sharp and effective passes. Cuevas uses both hands well and demonstrated some well-thought decision making.
Sasha Dailey, Rogers (Toledo, Ohio): If this 5-8 guard doesn't catch your eye with her play it's time for a trip to the optometrist. Quick and explosive, she seems to constantly be on the attack and gets into the paint time and again. In traffic she elevates with an eye-catching vertical both on the layup and even more impressively, her pullup. Her stroke is sound and she shoots the ball with confidence. She'll need to develop consistency from deep to keep penetration conscious defenders closing out tight to her on the catch. On the break she sees the floor and is more than willing to give the ball up to streaking teammates. Defensively she made several plays that indicate she could be the kind of stopper coaches dream of if she embraces the role. Recruiters should be watching Dailey and her young Rogers teammates closely.
Kelsey Mitchell, Princeton (Cincinnati, Ohio): You can't have a conversation about Jordin Canada, Mikayla Venson or any of the other 2014 standouts and not include this 5-7 combo guard. Her individual skills are not just impressive for her age, they're sharp and effective at any level. The left-hander can leave defenders scratching their head as they find themselves completely off balance and out of position repeatedly. She can penetrate with the best of them or shoot the pullup with some impressive elevation. Even more lethal is her use of the step back that she combines off a crossover or a hesitation move that frees up her three pointer. Mitchell may be one of the few players at the high school level shooting a "true jumper" rather than a spot up look. Like all of her Princeton teammates, she's an active and aggressive defender in both full and halfcourt situations. Any recruiter just finding out about Mitchell is late and getting into a very crowded line.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.