Summer Jam: Mason’s Friday Notebook
One of the top events in the midwest is a yearly occurrence in Minnesota. North Tartan’s Summer Jam attracts some of the top teams not only in the midwest, but nationally as well. There is always a ton of talent on the floor and the opening rounds on Friday was no exception. MN Fury UAA 2021 rolled over their first opponent led by Destinee Bursch, North Tartan EYBL 2020 was taken down in the first round, and Sharon Goodman dominated in a loss. Here are the top three things that stood out to me on opening day.
MN Fury UAA 2021 Easily Defeated Kingdom Hoops 2021 on the Back of Destinee Bursch, Alexis Pratt, and Gianna Kneepkens
Even though Kingdom Hoops wasn’t at full strength, MN Fury UAA easily defeated them in a game that wasn’t close after a minute of play. MN Fury UAA swarmed them early and often leading to easy transition baskets and a blow out win. Destinee Bursch was particularly intriguing with how she managed her team. Bursch was scoring at the rim by getting past defenders but also using her skill to create space for her shot. Bursch was knocking down shots from well behind the arc but also getting her teammates involved to do the same. She was really good and was the catalyst for the offense. Alexis Pratt was also really solid and you can’t run-and-gun without her. She’s a small point guard who is lightning quick and hold the ability to score at all three levels. Pratt was really good on defense stopping the guards of Kingdom Hoops from really doing anything at all. Pratt is a must see player in Minnesota with her speed and knowledge of the game. Gianna Kneepkens was another standout for this team as she was bullying her way to the rim and scoring the ball. Lengthy wing who has mobility and a frame that holds strength. Kneepkens was scoring at the rim really well through contact and was showing why she’s the 22nd ranked player in Minnesota. In a 92-33 win, you’ll have more than three standouts and I also thought that Jordyn Hilgemann, Kaylee Van Eps, and Sophia Hart played great basketball today. It was a total team effort in the domination from start to finish. (Pictured is Bursch.)
North Tartan EYBL Ousted by Nebraska Attack UAA in Opening Game
This outcome might have come as a shock to many, but having seen Nebraska Attack UAA play a few times this result proves to me what I had started to think: they are legit. North Tartan is littered with talent as Lauren Jensen is committed to Iowa, Mallory Brake is heading to Creighton, and four other players on the roster are in the top 18 of PGHMinnesota’s newly updated rankings. Nebraska Attack plays a style of basketball that most teams aren’t capable of playing and it caught North Tartan slightly off guard. Nebraska Attack plays as tough as anyone in the country and throw themselves at you. They play a fast paced and rough game that most teams just aren’t ready for. Allison Weidner has really started to come into her own in her first year playing AAU basketball. Weidner, a 2021, is a really fluid and skilled guard who can simply score the ball against anyone. Maddie Krull, a South Dakota commit, is one of the most athletic and quickest guards on the floor. She is the total package as you think of her scoring and defense. Mckenna Minter is the toughest player you’ll face all year long and is always playing as hard as she can. The daughter of a former NFL player, Minter brings that toughness to the floor. With offers from Nebraska and Creighton you know that she can play at a high level. This is a very good Nebraska Attack team and they have finally shown what they are capable of doing.
Sharon Goodman Dominates as Lady Martin Brothers put a Scare in MN Fury UAA
Sharon Goodman has been having a solid spring AAU campaign, but in the first round against MN Fury UAA she was the dominant post people expect her to be. Goodman was scoring the ball on every touch inside. The Iowa commit was showing why she is a no doubt high major player against the strong posts of MN Fury. Goodman is a steady player who doesn’t get caught up in the ebbs and flows of the game. She simply goes about her business and scores the ball at all times. Goodman was a force defensively as well stopping anything that came into the paint. MN Fury was forced to shoot outside shots and they just weren’t making anything. Goodman almost led her team to the victory but a strong comeback put an end to what would have been a monumental upset.