Summer Jam Standouts: Part 2
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Summer Jam was so stacked that I couldn’t fit all the top performers into one article, so here is part 2. The tournament completely exceeded my expectations and was one of the best of the summer. This is a tournament…
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Continue ReadingSummer Jam was so stacked that I couldn’t fit all the top performers into one article, so here is part 2. The tournament completely exceeded my expectations and was one of the best of the summer. This is a tournament you do not want to miss next year. Here are more top performers from this weekend.
Lake Minnetonka Division 2022
Desiree Ware Desiree Ware 5'8" | CG Minnetonka | 2022 State MN – Minnesota Stars 2022
Ware does what she does best and controlled the pace of the game for her team, where she is the primary ball handler. She played each game calm, cool and collected against some of the best teams in the nation. She was one of the fastest downhill kids on the court and could beat almost any defender one on one. Her best assets this weekend was transition, doing it all. She was able to take it the length of the court, pass it up for a fast break layup and even stop and pop for a midrange transition bucket.
Ten Mile Lake Division 2023
Aliyah Al-Hameed – North Tartan Elite 2023
The combo guard was good all weekend especially in the championship game where she helped her team take home the W against a very good NE Attack team. She was good at creating space off the bounce to either shoot it or take it all the way to the hoop. Her ability to go downhill is elite and she has gotten good at creating contact on the finish. Watch out for the newcomer!
Drew Johnston Drew Johnston 5'9" | PG Roseville | 2023 State MN – North Tartan Elite 2023
The floor general lead the team all weekend, showing others that her team is a force to reckon with. In the championship game she showed her ability to score in multiple ways and knocked down some big time shots. She made clutch play after clutch play for the win. Her defense leads to her offense where she hassles her opponent to create turnovers.
Round Lake Division Championship 2024
It was another battle between the two best 2024 teams in the state, Minnesota Fury UAA vs North Tartan Nike. Both teams put up pretty low numbers in the championship game where they both struggled on offense to start the game. Rainey Welson of North Tartan was able to find her rhythm and help her team put some points on the board. Teammate, Tori McKinney Tori McKinney 6'1" | CG Minnetonka | 2024 State MN also played tough on both ends trying to keep her team a float. She attacked the hoop strong and made a huge impact on defense all weekend. However, plays on both the offense and defensive end by Olivia Olson Olivia Olson 6'1" | CG Benilde-SM | 2024 State MN proved to be too much for the AAU State Champs. She shot the ball well from the three, posted up and got to the hoop nicely. Liv had to miss Friday due to being at the USA basketball tryouts but came back and took over like she does. After speaking with her she said it was the hardest week of basketball of her life, but a moment she will cherish. Olson is someone you want on your team, where she leads by example and remains humble. The Fury missed her leadership when she was gone and you can tell the team flows better when she’s there. Keep it up kid!