Premier Spring Classic: Tennessee Rain’s on North Carolina’s Gems in National Division Championship

Greensboro, NC-The National Division Championship between the East Tennessee Rain and North Carolina Lady Gems 14U was played exactly the way a title game should be played; fast and high scoring. With talented players on each side, both teams came out ready to play from the tip, as scoring the basketball wasn’t a problem, but who could defend the best would ultimately dictate the outcome of the game. Lady Gems guard Kionna Jeter, one of the top guards this weekend in the class of 2015 took control of the game in the first half getting the easy buckets attacking the basket and getting her teammates involved. Jeter is a great ball handler, a good passer, and sees the floor well to find her teammates at the right time, she knows how to score when she needs to and how to get others involved making her teammates better. Helping Jeter lead the Gems is 5”10 forward Kendall Cloninger who can play inside or out and score in just about anyway possible. She’s a great defender and is always inside rebounding and blocking shots.
 
After a close 36-34 Tennessee Rain lead at half, Rain point guard Alexis Bowers settled her team down has they started to build a seven point lead to open the second half. Bowers is a tough good that loves to get to basket strong and get fouled. She is a vocal leader on the floor and the leader of her team, that player that everyone else looks to on the court. Midway through the second half the Gems made a run and took a one point lead, 63-62 after a three pointer by Coloninger with three minutes left to play. In the final seconds the Gems held on to a one point 66-67 lead, but after a timeout and miscommunication by the Gems, Kayla Marosites of the Rain was left wide open and made an open layup to give the Rain a 68-67 Victory. Coloninger finished with 22 points, Jeter added in 16 for the Gems, while Marosites scored a team high 21 points for the Rain, and Bowers also added 17 of her own.

By: Brittany Graham
Event Reporter, Southern Premier Hoops

Premier Spring Classic: All Star Highlights (Classes of 2014 and 2015)

2014 All-Star Highlights
Top Performers

# 2 Sadie Edwards 5”9 Guard, Exodus NYC- Sadie is extremely athletic and can take almost anyone off the dribble, she finishes well at the basket, she’s a good facilitator and does a great job of getting her teammates involved and is also a dynamic scorer, always plays hard no matter the level of competition, and regardless of how her team is playing she plays on another level and always keeps them in striking distance.

#21 Yasmine Belk 6”3 Post, Exodus NYC- Belk is a great inside player who plays extremely hard for herteam. She has great size and is a good defender inside blocking, altering shotsof the other team, and getting rebounds. She runs the floor hard, has greathands, and also scores well around the basket.

#24 Daneesha Provo, 5”10 Guard Exodus NYC- Had a great showing this weekend, she has great size on the wingand uses her athleticism to score in a variety of ways, and her lanky buildgives her the edge on defense to get out and get steals. She likes to get outand run and scores great in the open floor in transition with a nice mid-rangepull up jump shot. Comes off the bench with energy, ready to score anddoesn’t need much time to get going.

#1 ArJae’ Saunders, 5”6 DC Cobras- Saunders is a flashy point guard with a great handle, loves toget to the basket and either score or dish the ball off to her teammates. Has aquick first step and is fast with the ball up the court in transition, andfinishes well at the rim.

#13 Kristina King, 6”3 Phoenix Elite-King is a very athletic player who can play inside, but also showedshe is comfortable on the wing and handling the ball when necessary. She playshard all the time on both ends of the floor, scoring, blocking shots, andrebounding. She likes the transition game and running the floor for easyopportunities to score. With her size and athletic ability King is a gamechanger inside.

 

2015 All-Star Highlights
Top Performers:

#11 Emily Lines, 6”1 Florida Vision- Emily is a great inside player that can play on the low blockand can also extend the defense and score from the outside. She has great handsand finishes well around the basket, she’s a solid defender and has a highbasketball IQ.

#00 Leanne Ellis, 5”7 Florida Vision- is a crafty guard and a deadly three point shooter, she has aquick shot and just simply makes shots. Defensively she is a good on balldefender and is always making plays on both ends of the floor.

#23 Dejoria Howard, 5”10 SC 76ers- Howard has great size on the wing and is good at reading thedefense. She attacks the basketball well and can either finish at the rim orpull up for the short jumper. Defensively she works hard and stays active andshe uses her size to get rebounds. As Howard goes, so does her team and is justa play maker in all aspects of the game.

#15 Haniyah Howard, 5”8 SC 76ers- Very talented player and well-trained. Obviously does more than theaverage player during the off-season and because of that, game situations areeasy for her. Offensively she takes what the defense gives her because of herwork ethic overall the game is natural to her.

Premier Spring Classic: Phoenix Elite Fuels Comeback Over Knoxville Lady Panthers

Saturday, Court 1: The Phoenix Elite overcame a first half tenpoint deficit to beat the Knoxville Lady Panthers by a final score of 49-43 inSaturday’s night Premier Division Semi-Final matchup at the 2012 Spring Premier Classic. The Knoxville Lady Panthers quickly took control of an early 6-1 leadutilizing their 2-2-1 full court press trying to slow down the more athleticPhoenix Elite team. The press forced the Elite into quick shots, and then tooka 17-9 lead with 6:48 left in the first half. The Lady Panthers stepped uptheir half court defense putting pressure on the Elite forcing them intocarless turnovers and converting on the other end. Patty Taylor of LadyPanthers a 6”1 post players made easy baskets inside to help her team takecontrol of the game in first half. As a low block post player, she has greatsize, finishes well around the basket, and is a great rebounder. With 4:36 leftin the first half, The Phoenix Elite backcourt led by guards Lenaire Ruffin andSarah Beal settled their team down and took control of the game to end the halfon a 11-3 run making the halftime score 20-21 in favor of the Lady Panthers.

Beal a 5”7 point guard and also one of thetop point guards playing in Greensboro this weekend, has a college readyathletic body, posses great strength and is a great leader on the floor for herteam. Ruffin at 5”8 can play either guard position and also has great upperbody strength, she plays on both ends of the floor and always stays active ondefense, while offensively she is capable of scoring in a variety of ways. TheElite’s run continued into the second and once they took a 31-29 lead with 12minutes to play, they never looked back. For the Lady Panthers, fatigue becamea factor as the easy layups that gave them the first half lead were not fallingin the second half. Mindy Brackins a 5”7 point guard for the Panthers showedher mental toughness and tried her best to keep her team in the game, attackingthe basket getting the free throw line multiple times late in the second half.The Panthers attempted to fuel a comeback, but just a little too late as thePhoenix Elite went on to win 49-43. Brackins scored 11 points for the LadyPanthers, Ruffin led all scores with 15 for the Elite, and Beal added in 11.

The Phoenix Elite will play the SouthCarolina 76ers Sunday afternoon for the Premier Division Championship.

By: Brittany Graham
Event Reporter

Premier Spring Classic: Player Spotlight on Catherine Taylor (TN Xtreme), Alexis Bowers (East TN Lady Rain), Heather Jankowy (SC 76ers Red)

Often times, because of lack of exposure or height or whatever it may be certain players are often times disregarded as not D1 material. However, the talent is there. After hours and hours of observation I have noticed a few players who in the right system could someday flourish into a fantastic scholarship D1 player. In my estimation, it is all about the right fit. If a program puts a high priority on tenacity, high basketball IQ, and is an all around ball player then these girls should be taken into serious consideration.

Catherine Taylor (2013) TN Xtreme is the best shooter the exposure event had to offer. The first time I watched her play, she knocked down 6 threes in a row. Not just spotting up, but off the dribble and finding the open spot on the break. Her Xtreme team relies on her for everything; initiate the offense, rebound in traffic, score, you name it. I have a gut feeling she will be a treasure when the right coach lays eyes on her.

Alexis Bowers (2015) East Tennessee Lady Rain is an absolute player. She can do everything. Alexis is impossible to press and has a natural ability to score.  At 5-5, Alexis may be considered undersized, but she has made a statement all tournament against taller guards. Gym Rats always find their way to a scholarship, it’s inevitable. Some program will be thrilled to have Alexis Bowers.

Heather Jankowy (2013) South Carolina 76ers Red is one of the feistiest players I have ever covered. She runs the point guard position with confidence, can knock down the open three, rarely makes mistakes, and won’t back down from anyone. There is a spot for her at the Division 1 level.  There is no way her talent and basketball IQ will be overlooked.

By: Rob Christie
Media Director

Premier Spring Classic: Team Phoenix vs. Kentucky Retros

The Big Three

Team Phoenix 16u 59

Kentucky Retros 47

Friday, Court 1 @ 5:15 Elite Division:  Team Phoenix may be the biggest team in the tournament, long and strong at every position. Not to mention they have incredible talent. Sarah Beal is an excellent point guard. She has the size and strength to play big time college basketball. Chalsye Taylor for the Retros  is small and feisty. She could have cared less how talented and strong Sarah Beal was and battled her all game. The Phoenix’s Lenaire Ruffins defensive pressure forced the Retros into a couple early turnovers and Phoenix got a couple easy buckets. The Phoenix’s 221 press posed problems for the Retro and their point guard Taylor. It wasn’t just the excessive amount of pressure, but the length and athleticism. The Retro’s brought some legitimate physicality to the floor. They were not going to be bullied by the bigger Phoenix team. Once the Retros backcourt Jada Jackson, Brianna Hawkins and company took a deep breath they methodically severed the Phoenix’s 221 press and extended 122 half court zone. Ruffin is unselfish and the total package; she can get to whatever spot she wants to in the painted area, has great court awareness, and is a monster on the defensive side of the ball. Tearra Banks for the Retros is an excellent rebounder, has above average footwork, and single handedly helped the Retros maintain an even rebounding margin. At the half, the Phoenix led the Retros 34-25. At the 12 minute mark of the second half ,the Phoenix’s talent level began to wear on the Retros. They got their hands on everything; deflecting passes, picking them off, and getting uncontested layups on the break. The Retros didn’t back down but were overwhelmed. Sarah Beal, Kristina King, and Lenaire Ruffin made a statement Friday night, establishing themselves as formidable big three that this tournament has to offer. They have the rare ability to control the game on both sides of the ball. The Phoenix’s Sarah Beal finished with 8, Kristina King with 11, and Lenaire Ruffin had 12.

Premier Spring Classic: Team Sol Stephens vs. Knoxville Lady Panthers

Second Chance Points

Team Sol 41

Knoxville Lady Panthers 31

Friday, Court 6 @ 4p: Early on, the Sols perimeter pressure startled the Knoxville Panthers forcing them into multiple turnovers that resulted into easy buckets. The Sols frontcourt was big and strong corralling each and every defensive rebound. The Panthers were baited into outside jump shots, playing into the game plan of the Sol. The Panthers were one and done at their end and the Sol got second shots consistently and whenever they wanted. Whatever the Panthers suffered from earlier; jitters, nervousness, and playing tight they seemed to rectify midway through the first half. They got better looks, crashed the offensive boards, and made better decisions.  Savannah Felgemacher is a unique player. She has that basketball IQ coaches continue to preach from middle school and on. When the Panthers are zoned, she roams the middle; flashing to elbow to elbow making the decisions for the Panthers. She rebounds well, shoots it well, and is relied upon to protect the rim. Allison Ball from the Panthers is a savy combo guard with considerable range. At the 5 minute mark of the first half the Sol led 18-12. The theme of the game, offensive rebounds. Precious Shirk and Tierra Wallace were relentless against the Panthers. They put pressure on thei r secondary and primary break, forcing the Panthers to play outside of their strengths. At the half, the Sol led 29-15. If the Panthers didn’t allow multiple second shots and turn the ball over the game would have been a different story. Shirk  exposed the Panthers backcourt all game by getting to the bucket whenever she wanted and finding teammates for easy shots, a true and painful thorn in the side of the Panthers.  After the Panthers made a run to cut the lead to 11 with 5 minutes to go 34-23, the Sol regained their dominance and put the Panthers away. If you fail to limit your opponent’s second shots, there is little chance to escape with a win at an exposure tournament. Ebonie Diggs for the Sol finished with 12, Precious Shirk with 10, and Tierra Wallace with 11. Savannah Felgemacher for the Knoxville Lady Panthers finished with 8 and Allison Ball with 5.

By: Rob Christie,
Media Director

Premier Spring Classic’s Dream Division: Delaney Rudd’s Lady Phoenix vs. B-More Hoopster

Out on the Break in a Hot Minute

Lady Phoenix 49
B-More Hoopsters 29

Friday, Court 5 @ 130:  The Lady Phoenix ran out to an 8-3 lead and forced the Hoopsters to use an early time out at the 11:23 mark of the first half. The Phoenix’s zone forced the Hoopsters into long jump shots and allowing the Phoenix to run the break and test the transition defense of the Hoopsters. After the timeout, the Hoopsters attacked the middle of zone with dribble penetration and ball fakes that allowed them that slight opening to dissect a zone properly and effectively. Also, their 2/3 zone became more active and forced the Phoenix into bad decisions. There is nothing like a couple of easy buckets to get the confidence level up for a team.  The Hoopsters and Phoenix utilized a zone as their primary defense. Patience is the key.  Go inside and out against zones. Finding the short corner and dissecting from there. Kiana Rudd, at a young age, is extremely self-aware point guard. She sees the whole floor, makes mature decisions, and is a natural floor general. Tamera Thorpe and Nakiah Black were dominant in the first half both on the offensive end and defensive side of the ball. The Phoenix led the Hoopsters 20-14 at the half. Tamera Thorpe is an excellent wing player. When she is out on the break, Thorpe is at her best. She showed a little bit of everything in the first half; slashing to the bucket,  shooting the ball from the 3, and getting out in open floor. As the second half got underway, the Phoenix illustrated early, if you don’t get back on defense off of made or missed buckets they will expose you. Either be disciplined or be run off the floor. However the Hoopsters stayed close throughout and gave themselves a punchers chance to sneak away with a win. Nakia Black decided to go on her own 8-0 run; a beautiful looking jump shot from 3, a steal and a coast to coast to the bucket, and another bucket off a miss. Like her counterpart Thorpe, she has great length, endless motor, and is a ball hawk.  Koraan Sydnor, Destiny Davis, and Jameira Johnson did everything in their power to chip away from the Phoenix lead by scoring the ball, hustling, and trying to get stops, but the Phoenix pushed their lead to 40-24 at the 8 minute mark. This Phoenix team will throw a little bit of everything at you defensively; a soft 2/3, an aggressive match up zone, and a 221 press that can be intimidating if you don’t have a great point guard. The Phoenix cemented their lead and won the ball game because of better decision making, forcing more turnovers, and overall talent. Nakiah Black for the Phoenix finished with 9, Tamera Thorpe with 8, and Kianna Rudd with 4. The Hoopsters Koraan Sydnor finished with 9 and Destiny Davis with 6.

By: Rob Christie
Media Director

Premier Spring Classic: First Impression Friday

Congratulations to the Florida Vision for their Friday night win!

There is a completely different element to an exposure event as opposed to your normal AAU tournament. Teams travel hundreds of miles to be a part of an event like this. There is considerable pressure on the young participants, and let’s be honest, these young women are competing for scholarships that only so few are fortunate to obtain. Exposure tournaments literally can dictate a future. A path can be carved because of noteworthy or legendary performance. Dreams can be shattered because of an injury or poor performances against elite talent. In life, people have always and will continue to say first impressions are everything. I am here to dispute this common phrase. Yes, first impressions are pertinent in life, but sustaining the lasting positive first impression is critical in the game of basketball. I can speak from experience. I lived the AAU circuit for many years and have witnessed teammates and opponents obtain a scholarship offer or offers based on just a couple of games.

Already multiple players have caught my eye after impressive Friday performances. Here are a handful of players to keep an eye out for on Saturday. These girls demanded my attention and controlled the eyes of the spectators.

Bianca Cuevas- NYC Exodus (2013)

Catherine Taylor- TN Xtreme(2013)

Kiana  Rudd- Lady Phoenix(2016)

Emily Lines- Florida Vision (2015)

Abria Harris- SC 76ers (2013)

Imani Watkins- Team Reign (2014)

Breonn Hughey- DC Cobras (2014)

Ashlee Mitchell- Knoxville Lady Panthers (2013)

Sarah Beal- Lady Phoenix Elite (2013)

Last major exposure event I attended for Southern Premier Hoops the court was lined with major universities throughout the entire country. I anticipate to be no different on Saturday when the top players facing one another to get to championship Sunday. There are multiple underlying themes that surround an exposure tournament like the Premier Spring Classic. What are the coaches and staffs looking for in these young ladies? Obviously talent, but what other intangibles? In my estimation, these three elements are absolutely paramount and will outweigh talent;  how competitive is the player? Does she hate losing so much that it literally drives her crazy? Is she a leader? Most of these girls will be the faces of these programs. Will she be someone who the coach can entrust the program to, and lastly, does she revel in the moment? Does this particular player welcome the pressure and the high stakes? The players I listed above certainly do and with Saturday only hours away I’m ecstatic to see the multiple statements made.

Throughout the entire tournament I will be covering particular games, conducting on camera interviews with the players, determining all-tournament teams, and writing game recaps about the tournament. All of this information and coverage will be featured on the Hoop report (the page you a reading this intro). Feel free to come talk shop about the tournament, offer opinions, and suggest who I should be watching. This is a family atmosphere at Southern Premier Hoops. This tournament, I have a feeling, is going to be legendary. There is no shortage of talent and big names here.

by: Rob Christie
Media Director

Carolinas Elite Future Stars 2019 Class Standout – Jasmine Shiver – Colorado

Jasmine Shiver

Jasmine is another young but talented player that shows raw athleticism and desire to play the game.  We like how hard she went through all the drills and the effort she game in the games.  We look for her to become a more polished player in her offensive skill development and if she does this will take her game to a whole different level.  For a young layer she has good handles, excellent hops, decent mechanics and footwork.  We want to see her work on the form and technique of her jump shot, slashing to the basket and if she develops those aspects of her game she can be a rising star.

Carolinas Elite 80 Future Stars 2019 Class Standouts – Ashley Williamson – Colorado

Ashley Williamson

Ashley shows that she is working on all aspects of her game.  She was not afraid to mix it with the older players and showed she has a very good jump shot, good ball handling skills and the athleticism to be a great player in a very short time.  She has a knack to be around the ball and performs the hustle plays that a lot of players take for granted.  She has a high motor and gets after it on both ends of the floor.  We want to see her continue to develop all aspects of her game especially her ball handling and improve on her basketball IQ, passing and court vision,  and the mechanics of her shot.  We look forward to tracking her progress and see how hard she goes to work to make herself a great player.