skip navigation

Summer Jam 2019

By PassThaBall, 06/22/19, 3:45PM PDT

Share


All Iowa Attack EYBL, winners of Lake Minnetonka Division of Summer Jam 2019 (PC: Bob Corwin)

All Iowa Attack keeps winning

By Bob Corwin

Held June 14-16, 2019, in Bloomington, Minnesota, and surrounding towns, 308 teams battled in 19 separate divisions teams ranging  from elementary school to rising seniors. In its fifteenth year, Summer Jam had teams participating from as far away as Florida and Washington State. Presented by host club North Tartan, the event gave teams a four-game guarantee in bracket-play format. If you are looking for a June event with quality competition, fine playing facilities and nice Minnesota weather, consider Summer Jam next year!

All Iowa Attack

All Iowa Attack has been on a roll. Its EYBL team won the championship in July 2018. This April in Hampton, Virginia, it made the final four at the Boo Williams Invitational (first stop for the Nike League). In Hampton, it won the 10 th grade EYBL division. Here, the club won the top 11th grade and 10 th grade divisions and finished second in the top 8th grade division. The club has rising senior Caitlin Clark (now with the USA U19 team) as a national player-of the-year candidate. The state has also accomplished a lot on the college level with Iowa, Iowa State and Drake all making the NCAA Tournament in March.


Jefferson High School athletic complex in Bloomington, Minnesota (PC: Bob Corwin)

Special facilities

At least four high schools in the area around Bloomington have facilities that can house as many as eight games simultaneously. The facility at Jefferson High School (site of the top division championship games) has seven courts (see photo). Facilities like these are very rare on high school grounds.

The Big Ten or the local deuce

There are not a lot of NCAA Division 1 schools (only one in Minnesota) in this part of the country and a lot of players around here want to stay close to home. Thus, the approximate 60 (total) NCAA Division 2, 3 and NAIA schools (primarily from Minnesota and nearby states) in attendance had a lot chew on over the weekend. NCAA Division 1 schools were not able to attend as this was a “dead period” event.

A brief look at final in the top 11th grade (Lake Minnetonka) division...

All Iowa Attack 11th EYBL 58-42 Nebraska Attack 11th UAA

Iowa spent a good portion of this tournament adjusting to the departure of its do-everything guard Caitlin Clark (6-0, 2020) who will be playing on the USA U19 team. Now without her, the team had to find the points and guard leadership elsewhere. In this contest, Iowa started slowly down 12-7 with 10:50 left in the first half thanks to Nebraska getting some points in the paint. Then followed an 11-0 Iowa run led by two threes (three in the half) from guard Kayba Laube (5-9, 2020). At the break, Iowa was up 28-17. It continued to pull away at the start of half two with point guard Maya McDermott (5-4, 2020) hitting three threes in the first four possessions of the half putting Iowa up 37-23. From there it was smooth sailing with the biggest Iowa lead 42-25 with 11:40 left in the half. Nebraska never got closer than 11 points the rest of the way.

Leech Lake (top 10th grade) Division

All Iowa Attack 10th EYBL 57-38 North Tartan 16/U EYBL

This felt like Hampton all over with Iowa hitting threes and getting out on the fast break. Iowa led 25-18 at half and never looked back. This Iowa team has not lost in its age group all spring and can argue for being the best in the USA in the rising junior category.

Mille Lacs Lake (top 9th grade) Division

North Tartan 15/U Elite 67-39 Lady Martin Bros 2022 (Iowa)

While the halftime score was 37-26 favoring the host entry, the second half showed off the superior talent of the North Tartan team. The team from Iowa had nothing to be ashamed of as the locals were both more athletic and more skilled. North Tartan was led by Amaya Battle (see below) with 19 points and Taylor Woodson (see below) with 18 points. Lady Martin Bros. was led by Taylor Veach (see below) with 14 points.

Pelican Lake (top 8th grade) Division

Minnesota Fury 2023 UAA 43-42 All Iowa Attack 8th Nike Red

Of the four top age group finals covered (briefly here), this was by far the most competitive. The Fury led 24-19 at half with the lead changed hands in the last two minutes. `During the contest, Iowa often stylishly got to the rim only to miss. To the Fury’s credit, it made the big shots when needed.

Players below are listed alphabetically within graduation year with height, position, and club team. High school is in parenthesis. All players discussed below are likely to be recruited at some level of NCAA Division 1.

2020

Whitney Brown, 5-6, point guard, CSS Bison (Grand Island Northwest High School, Nebraska)

Above all else, Brown plays hard making up for an average level of athleticism with determination. She has good handles and will attack the basket going left or right. She also has good vision in transition and can shoot the three off the catch.

Paige Bueckers, 5-11, guard, Metro Stars 2020 Starks (Hopkins High School, Minnesota)

Orally committed to Connecticut, Bueckers has the ability to score at all levels plus pass the eyes out of the ball making her game very special. A national high school player-of-the-year candidate, she can beat you in a lot of ways.

Lexi Donarski, 5-10, guard, WI Flight Elite 11 UAA (Aquinas High School, Wisconsin)

Orally committed to Iowa State, Donarski can play either guard slot. She can score the ball via the three, at mid-range or get to the rim. She willingly will give the ball to a teammate with a better shot. Her high-level, all-around game should make her a strong All-American candidate.

Kylie Feuerbach, 6-0, guard/forward, All Iowa Attack 11th EYBL (Sycamore High School, Illinois)

Orally committed to Iowa State, Feuerbach moves well, able to drive the key or baseline, but also spot up on the perimeter.

Nyayongah Gony, 6-3, forward, CSS Bison (Lincoln High School, Nebraska)

Gony has the tools to fulfill a slot in a Power 5 program thanks to great length, athleticism and above average handles for her size. She just needs to improve her perimeter stroke as she plays out there a good portion of the time.


Lexi Donarski of WI Flight Elite 11 UAA (PC: Bob Corwin)

Lauren Jensen, 5-10, point guard, North Tartan 17/U EYBL (Lakeville North High School, Nebraska)

Orally committed to Iowa, Jensen carries a big load for North Tartan. She initiates the offense but is one of her team’s leading scorers (strong three-point shooter). She was one of the top scorers at the April Nike EYBL session in Virginia.

Aubrey Joens, 5-11, shooting guard, All Iowa Attack 11th EYBL (Iowa City High School, Iowa)

Another Iowa State commit, she is the third Power 5 recruit from her family. She can shoot the three off the catch but also has nice drive moves (baseline and spin).

Maddie Krull, 5-7, shooting guard, Nebraska Attack 11th UAA (Millard South High School, Nebraska)

Orally committed to South Dakota, Krull likes to drive going with either hand. She does not shy away from contact.


Aubrey Joens (#23) and Kylie Feuerbach of All Iowa Attack EYBL (PC: Bob Corwin)

McKenna Minter, 5-8, guard/forward, Nebraska Attack 11th UAA (Lincoln Northeast High School, Nebraska)

Minter is a quality athlete getting Power 5 looks. She jumps well, has a nice mid-range pull-up and can even post up some. Adding shooting range should be a priority.

Maddie Scherr, 5-11, guard, Kentucky Premier EYBL (Ryle High School, Kentucky)

Orally committed to Oregon, Scherr can come at the basket with dribble penetration, create a mid-range shot or shoot the three. She is a leading candidate for Kentucky’s Miss Basketball for this coming year.

Alyssa Ustby, 6-0, forward, MN Fury 2020 UAA (Rochester Lourdes High School, Minnesota)

Having Power 5 offers, Ustby like to attack the basket. She plays with poise in scoring in the key.

2021

Kendall Coley, 6-2, forward, UVA 2021 Navy (St. Louis Park High School, Minnesota)

Coley, a likely Power 5 recruit, has good tools in that she handles well for her height and is above average athletically. She needs to improve her perimeter stroke and be more productive over the course of the game.

Ashley Iiams, 6-1, small forward, All Iowa Attack 10 th EYBL (Ames High School, Iowa)

With Power 5 offers in hand, Iiams moves well without the ball and can get out on the fast break. She shoots the three well off the catch and rebounds well at the defensive end.

Jenna Johnson, 6-2, power forward, North Tartan 16/U EYBL (Wayzata High School, Minnesota)

Johnson is very versatile. She will post up some, attack on the baseline or shoot the perimeter shot. Her biggest question is showing she can do all the above versus better athletes. She certainly has the tools.

Adalia McKenzie, 5-8, guard, North Tartan 16/U EYBL (Park Center High School, Minnesota)

Strongly built and capable of playing either guard slot, McKenzie plays with good energy and is above average athletically. She can shoot the mid-range shot off the bounce and off the pass.

Alexis Pratt, 5-3, point guard, MN Fury 2021 UAA (Stillwater High School, Minnesota)

Other than being small, Pratt gives you a lot to like. She runs the offense, plays with good energy and can attack the basket.

Sacia Vanderpool, 6-3, small forward, UVA 2021 Navy (Byron High School, Minnesota)

Vanderpool is a wing looking to spot up for threes and can hit them enough to merit being guarded. With a medium build and great height, she still could add some dribble penetration to her game.

Matyson Wilkie, 5-10, shooting guard, North Tartan 17/U EYBL (Beaver Dam High School, Wisconsin)

Having Power 5 offers in hand, Wilkie plays smart and is physical to boot. She will not hesitate to attack the rim but can shoot the three.

Riley Wright, 5-11, shooting guard, All Iowa Attack 10th EYBL (Marion High School, Iowa)

Wright is a driver first willing to attack going left or right. Off the catch, her release is a bit out of the body but still goes in enough to be a weapon. Her defense is more than acceptable.

2022

Amaya Battle, 5-10, point guard, North Tartan 15/U Elite (Hopkins High School, Minnesota)

A Power 5 prospect, Battle has good basketball IQ to go with good size and above average athleticism. She looks to penetrate to score or dish. Building range should be a high priority.

Niamya Holloway, 6-0, center, D.T.A. Academy 2022 Blue (Eden Prairie High School, Minnesota)

Holloway is active in the key playing with good energy scoring near the rim. She needs to add some range to her game.

Lilly Meister, 6-1, center/power forward, MN Fury 2022 UAA (John Marshall High School, Minnesota)

A Power 5 prospect, Meister has good hands to score around the rim and is willing to take contact. She showed she can step out and hit a three be it not scoring option #1.

Brooklyn Meyer, 6-2, center/power forward, SD Attack (West Lyon High School, Iowa)

Meyer runs adequately. She has good hands and finishes well around the rim.

Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, 6-0, small forward, All Iowa Attack 10th EYBL (O’Gorman High School, South Dakota)

It is probably going to be as hard to guard this player as to say her name correctly. A springy athlete with motor, she looks to drive as scoring option #1. Power 5 schools are already working on correct pronunciation.


Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda (#32), Ashley Iams (#13) and Riley Wright of All Iowa Attack 10th EYBL (PC: Bob Corwin)

Ronnie Porter, 5-3, point guard, D.T.A. Academy 2022 Blue (St. Paul Como High School, Minnesota)

Porter can be described as zippy, having good motor and basketball IQ. She can get to the rim but also has some shooting range beyond the key. Lack of height is biggest issue but there is D1 talent here.

Sydney Runsewe, 5-7, shooting guard, P.R.E.P. Elite 15U (De La Salle High School, Minnesota)

Well built, Runsewe appears to like physical play as she looks to attack the basket. She also showed some perimeter stroke.

Aaliyah Smith, 5-5, point guard, WI Flight Elite 11 UAA (Verona High School, Wisconsin)

Playing up two years, Smith was one of WI Flight’s better players at the event. Well build, she attacks the basket hard. If anything, she needs to pick her spots for attacking more selectively. Power 5 programs should be monitoring her progress regardless!

Taylor Veach, 5-9, shooting guard, Lady Martin Bros. 2022 (Central DeWitt High School, Iowa)

Veach is a driver who will also post up. However, her perimeter shot must be respected. Her efforts helped her team reach the finals in its division.

2023

Nunu Agara, 6-0, small forward, Metro Stars 2020 Starks (Hopkins High School, Minnesota)

Playing up three years, Agara was not the central focus of her team. Highly athletic, her play in the open court gave viewers a glimpse of why Power 5 programs are already targeting her.

Jenna Hopp, 5-8, shooting guard, Nebraska Attack 10th UAA (Glenwood High School, Iowa)

Advanced for her age, Hopp already has D1 offers. Playing up two years, she moves well demonstrating a nice baseline drive no extra charge! Power 5 programs should be monitoring this player’s maturation.

Arianna Jackson, 5-8, shooting guard, All Iowa Attack 8th Nike Red (West Des Moines Roosevelt High School, Iowa)

Jackson has a sturdy frame and showed a willingness to go inside to score near the rim. She also has good mobility and perimeter stroke. Power 5 programs should be monitoring her maturation.

Kelsey Joens, 5-10, small forward, All Iowa Attack 8th Nike Red (Iowa City High School, Iowa)

Kelsey is Joens sister Power 5 prospect #4 (Aubry above is #3). Kelsey showed both a spin-move and baseline drive.

Kennedy Sanders, 5-6, guard, MN Fury 2023 UAA (Chaska High School, Minnesota)

Sanders hit the game winning three in the top 8th grade division. Besides that, her offense appeared more centered around driving to score or dish off.

Taylor Woodson, 5-11, small forward, North Tartan 15/U Elite (Hopkins High School, Minnesota)

A Power 5 prospect, Woodson has a nice perimeter stroke to beyond the arc. A decent athlete, she also showed some willingness to attack the basket.

Special thanks to Kevin Anderson of kjasr.com/live who contributed to this report.


Arianna Jackson of All Iowa Attack 8th Nike Red (PC: Bob Corwin)


Kennedy Sanders of MN Fury 2023 UAA (PC: Bob Corwin)


Taylor Woodson (#32) and Amaya Battle of North Tartan 15/U Elite (PC: Bob Corwin)