2027 STANDOUTS

Micah Ojo /YKS

Definition of versatility as she did it all in between the lines. She runs the floor like a deer, has great hands and feel off the catch as she pivots off both feet and finishes well around the rim. She can stretch the floor as she is consistent from range. She also displayed her athletic prowess as she blocked or adjusted multiple shots and jump the lanes for steals. She may be the most well rounded player in the 8th grade division, potential is through the roof. 

Katie Spain / YKS

One half of the dynamic back court that gets YKS going. A very heady guard with next level IQ. Strong handle, excellent vision and her understanding when and what pass to make in certain situations is special. Very crafty and can scores on all the levels. Also effective on defense which stems from her understanding of the game as she baited opposing guards into bad passes in the press. 

Mia Spain / YKS

The sniper of the Spain twins, the lefty is automatic off the catch with a smooth release and will pull from anywhere. She plays with a lot of moxie and reeks confidence, her handling ability allows her to remain calm under pressure an manipulate the defense as she dropped dime after dime. Also a heady defender with quick hands and understanding of angles as she gained multiple steals per game. 

I had a chance to chat with the trio in a segment of "The Youth Movement" prior  to them winning the Session 2 Championship. 

Qandace Samuels / Team Takeover

I've noticed major improvement over the past couple of months with her foot work, agility and ball handling ability as she ran the point for her team with precision. She has range on her jumper and her height allowed her to get to mid area and for uncontested jumpers. She has an aggressive in your face style of play and posed her will on the defensive getting run down blocks, steals and tie ups.     

Neveah Roberson / Team Takeover

A long athletic guard with quickness and strength. She plays downhill always looking to attack the gaps with explosive drives as she overpowered smaller guards. She has an array of finishes and uses her pull up and floater well. Defensively she was a menace her length allowed her to get multiple steals/deflections in the lanes and her size allowed her to defended the post players when needed.

Zoey Wasserlauf / Gauchos

This kid plays with a different feel and is fun to watch. A strong lead guard that is extremely shifty, handles strong with both hands and  was tough to contain in the open court. She invites contact and manipulates defense with her eyes creating opportunities for teammates with high level assists. A solid jump shot with quick release that extends to 3 point range. She communicates well and and competes on the defensive ended as well. 

Ivanna Manyacka / West Coast Elite

Elite athleticism, strength, speed and coordination infused in a 6'0 frame. At the wing position she was able to get into the lanes finishing through contact at the rim or rising for uncontested jump shot with good balance and elevation. A hybrid with extreme upside as she has touch from range, handles well and defend all positions. 

Sarah Anderson / Elevate Elite

A floor general with scoring ability, the primary ball handler for her squad. At times a one woman press breaker as she played down hill attacking pressure with pressure finding teammates in transition. She got her team into their sets, showed patience and court vision creating easy opportunities. She was efficient from 3 point range and has a nice touch on her floater which she got to often.  

Names To Know 

-Alia Courtenay / FBC Young Guns    -Tamia Dyson /YKS

-Sydney Savoury / Legends     -Tanya Henson / Boo Williams                  

 -Grace Nash / PA Comets     -Julia Rina / Empire  

-Ella Pepper / Bay State

Kiyari King / DPS 

A athletic guard with extreme quickness and a lot of grit. The grind it out type that stays in the mix of things. She is a heady point guard that can get where she wants on the floor, she constantly put pressure on defenses as she is a willing passer with solid vision. Could be a elite defender and showed lateral quickness applying pressure on opposing guards on defensive end.  

Hailey Benbow / New Jersey Gems

A reliable guard with a solid fundamental foundation and strong build. She is patient and understands the offense, she has scoring ability but seem to pick her moments to be aggressive offensively which I'd like to see more of. 

Jennelle Solis / West Coast elite

This kid plays with mega confidence and can shoot it lights out, a lefty guard with elite speed. She plays with her eyes up, probing for her opportunity to pull off the dribble. She headed the defense as her teams 2-2-1 turned teams over which led to her knocking down multiple transition 3's which she did all weekend in both 7th & 8th grade divisions. 

Kaitlyn Mills / West Coast elite

Another west coast guard with game, Kaitlyn had the long ball going with consistency which open up the lanes for paint touches where she used her floater or athletic finishes around the rim displaying great core strength. Good vision as well and her speed allowed to she to be effective defensively.

Taleiyah Smith / New Heights

A swiss army knife as she does a little of everything with relentless effort from jump ball to the final horn. Her defensive energy is infectious as she gained deflections and steals taking the opponent out of rythm which gets her team going in the right direction. She is a shot maker and excels in transition getting from end to end in a flash. Great body control and solid handle with a go to crossover that she used effectively to blow by defenders. One to watch  

Kiera Sellers / New Heights 

She may have played the point position better than anyone in Session 2. A small guard with big game, elite handle and maintains the middle of the floor well. She constantly directs traffic and attacks the lane with purpose, drawing and kicking to open shooters. Usually a pass first guard but was more aggressive getting to her floater and knocked down a few from range.  Defensively she bottled guards up for 94 feet making it hard to get into their actions. 

Brooklyn Stewart / Glen Arms Gladiators

A fierce competitor that was the go to for her team, she is lightning quick, handles well and was unstoppable getting into the lanes. Good passer and made solid decisions out of traps and off ball screens. She has a nice step back to create space from to get her shot off as she shot it well form 3 point range. A scrappy defender as well with quick hands and great anticipation as she turn steals into transition buckets on a number of occasions.  

Taylor Stanfield / FBC Young Guns

The kid played lights out, her decision making, defensive intensity and shot making ability were all on display. What stood out was her willingness to compete and her communication skills as she directed traffic and challenged her teammates to compete. She has a textbook form and can shoot it off the dribble well with a potent step back to create space to get her shot off.  

Sydney Douglas / West Coast Elite

A absolute nightmare as a 7th grader standing 6'2 with ability to  play inside out with ease posses an array of skills. She was comfortable when and wherever she caught the ball, has a face up game in the mid post, ability to take smaller guards off the dribble on perimeter creating match up problems for every opponent. She rebounds well and adjusted or blocked multiple shots with out fouling. Kid has a very high ceiling.

Alana Rodriquez / Team Takeover

A relible guard with a high motor that plays with relentles effort, which creatd a lot of positive plays for her team. Good at getting into the lanes as her first step gets her to defenders hip on her way to the rack where she finished wellover and through contact.