USJN Premier Showcase Notes: Day 2
We have been providing some coverage for the USJN Premier Showcase in Indianapolis, Indiana. These are the first games for many club teams and specifically for Washington programs who have been shut down due to Covid-19. Day one was a…
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Continue ReadingWe have been providing some coverage for the USJN Premier Showcase in Indianapolis, Indiana. These are the first games for many club teams and specifically for Washington programs who have been shut down due to Covid-19. Day one was a decent showing overall, but a loaded field has proven to be difficult for Washington teams on day two. I have been following the Tree of Hope 17u and 16u EYBL teams as well as the Northwest Magic Team Huff 17u Bluestar squad. Each of the teams walked away with losses in their games from day two, but each team still had some bright spots nonetheless.
Tree of Hope 17u EYBL Goes 0-2 on day 2
Tree of Hope’s 17u squad has played an expected treacherous schedule with games against other Nike EYBL teams thus far. TOH suffered its first loss of the day against All Iowa Attack by a score of 33-60. In game two, TOH faced off against the country’s top rising senior in Azzi Fudd and she looked every bit the part for the Under Amour sponsored GTS Fusion. The Fusion would take the victory 66-49. The bright spot for Tree of Hope in both games was 2021 5’5 PG Esmeralda Morales Esmeralda Morales 5'5" | PG Bethel | 2021 State WA of Bethel High School. Morales is committed to Portland State and she was the steady ball handler and shot creator in both of the losing efforts. TOH 17u moves to 0-3 in the USJN Premier Showcase.
Tree of Hope 16u Suffers One Close Loss and One Blowout Loss
The 16u team had a really hard fought battle in game number one against All Ohio 16u EYBL. This game was a total contrast of styles with TOH opting for the half court systematic style, while All Ohio was full speed ahead and taking quicker shots. In the end All Ohio squeezed out the 36-33 victory. In game two, All Iowa Attack 16u EYBL defeated TOH 59-36 in a lopsided victory. The stockriser from this game was 2023 5’5 G Navaeh Talbert Navaeh Talbert 5'6" | CG Garfield | 2023 State WA of Garfield High School. I mentioned in my day one report that she could benefit from being a bit more aggressive on the offensive end and she did just that against AIA. She has an outstanding soft touch on her floater that allows her to finish over taller and more athletic defenders in the paint. TOH 16u is now 1-2 in the USJN Premier Showcase.
NW Magic Suffer Loss to Wisconsin Playground Elite
NW Magic Team Huff hung in tough against Wisconsin Playground, but just could not get over the hump due to turnovers. They would go on to fall 44-59, but a couple players had some nice moments in the second half of play that I caught. 2022 5’5 G Katelyn Heiderman of Hermiston High School in Oregon shoots the ball with a ton of confidence and knocked down some outside shots in this game. She can force some threes at times and could utilize the attack to the basket a tad more, but she also knows what her best trait is and that’s shooting. 2022 5’7 G Aniyah Heavens Aniyah Heavens 5'6" | CG Chiawana | 2022 State WA out of Chiawana High School had a couple turnovers, as did several Magic players, but she also had some nice passes and finishes around the basket. Heavens is putting together a strong showing overall for the event so far. *I was unable to see Magic’s other game and no score was readily available online.