Nike National News – EYBL in South Carolina – Part 1 Preview
(Courtesy of @starsforthefut1) This is an exciting week for Grassroots Girls basketball. For the first time in 5 years Nike has brought back Nike Nationals to North Augusta, South Carolina. With divisions in 16U and 17U these girls will have…
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Continue Reading(Courtesy of @starsforthefut1)
This is an exciting week for Grassroots Girls basketball. For the first time in 5 years Nike has brought back Nike Nationals to North Augusta, South Carolina. With divisions in 16U and 17U these girls will have the experience of a lifetime. Although there are the added distractions of the COVID protocols that all of the teams have to deal with, this will be an amazing basketball event. Assuming all teams are cleared to participate here’s a preview on what to expect at the 17U level.
Pool A
Cal Stars
The Likely #1 seed in the tournament will look to repeat their dominance that they displayed at Boo Williams. They have added Physical wing Jennah Isai and combo guard Donovyn Hunter to the already potent squad. They have 6 players led by Post Breya Cunningham Breya Cunningham 6'3" | C La Jolla Country Day | 2023 State #3 Nation CA ranked in the ESPN rankings and probably the Top PG on the circuit, Talana Lepolo Talana Lepolo 5'7" | PG Saint Joseph Notre Dame HS | 2022 State CA . If the ball moves as fast as it did at Boo Williams the other teams in Pool A are in for some tough days.
Pool B
Cal Storm
Team Taurasi has shown great improvement in the last week, they are clicking even after suffering two injuries to two of their starters. With the addition of Yulan Cheng, Team Taurasi has made the Platinum Bracket in the last two tournaments in Chicago and Iowa, and a championship game appearance in Vegas before that, Taurasi is primed for an appearance in the quarterfinals.
Alabama Southern Starz
The Starz have had solid showings at each of the last two tournaments winning the Gold championship at TOC in Chicago and finishing in the final four in Iowa. Led by PG Kara Dunn and Debreasha Powe they have a good chance to advance to the quarterfinals where anything can happen. Wednesday’s 6:30pm EST showdown between the Starz and Team Taurasi will be a good one.
Pool C
Pool C is the Pool where whoever comes out should be very battle tested. Three of the four teams in Pool C qualified for the quarterfinals at TOC in Chicago.
All Iowa Attack
All Iowa Attack is on fire after winning their own tournament and the TOC in Chicago. Taylor McCabe leads the sharpshooting Iowans as they go for their fourth championship game in a row. AIA has four ranked players in the ESPN rankings with Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, Hannah Stuelke, Jada Gyamfi, and Taylor McCabe. They have wins against Cal Stars (twice), FBC united, and Team Takeover.
Colorado Premier
Premier plays through 6’7 Stanford commit Lauren Betts. Marya Hudgins is the do it all swiss army knife that teams with Betts to give them a chance in this brutal pool. Teya Sidberry has been one of the most improved players in the EYBL and could be a difference maker if Colorado is able to make it out of this pool to the platinum bracket.
Cal Sparks
The Sparks advanced to the platinum bracket last week in the TOC in Chicago and ended up falling to All Iowa Attack in the quarterfinals. They are led by Londynn Jones Londynn Jones 5'5" | PG Santiago | 2022 State #9 Nation CA and Isuneh Brady Isuneh Brady 6'3" | SF Cathedral Catholic | 2022 State #2 Nation CA which gives them a nice combo to take down any team in the EYBL. They are full of athletes that can attack and shoot the three.
Missouri Phenom
The Phenom may be the most intriguing team in this pool. They have lost to Colorado Premier twice in the last week, and beat Cal Sparks. This gritty bunch could really be the team that disrupts this bracket.
Pool D
Team Takeover
Takeover was disappointed in how the TOC in Chicago ended and wants to come out on top in Nike Nationals. Pass tha Ball live has declared TTO as the “heavy favorites” to win the title. They start out in Pool D with Pro Skills who they met in Boo Williams in a battle that ended in a 4 point win. The Defending EYBL champs backcourt of Gia Cooke and Yonta Vaughn look to run away with a quarterfinal spot. Jadyn Donovan is a player who can erase an opponent’s leading scorer and score in bunches on the offensive end.