Standout Players from the USJN: Mountain Madness
The USJN: Mountain Madness was a three day event held in Denver Colorado that featured several age Divisions (17U all the way down to 13U). This was the 15th consecutive year that the Mountain Madness took place; For the 17/16U…
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Continue ReadingThe USJN: Mountain Madness was a three day event held in Denver Colorado that featured several age Divisions (17U all the way down to 13U). This was the 15th consecutive year that the Mountain Madness took place; For the 17/16U Divisions’ there was 62 total teams representing various States from different regions of the country – West, Southwest, Midwest and Great Lakes regions – This year there were 45 Colleges in attendance looking to add next level players to their respective programs. The Schools that attended, are listed below, by Level and in alphabetical order.
Division 1
Denver Pioneers | Kansas Jayhawks | Wyoming Cowboys
Division 2
Black Hills State Yellow Jackets | Chadron State Eagles | Colorado Christian Cougars | Colorado State – Pueblo Thunderwolves | Colorado – Colorado Springs Mountain Lions | Colorado – Mesa Mavericks | Fort Lewis Skyhawks | Metropolitan State Roadrunners | Nebraska – Kearney Antelopes | Northwest Nazarene Crusaders | Regis Rangers | South Dakota School of Mines Hardrockers | Washburn Ichabods | Western Colorado University Mountaineers
Division 3
Austin Kangaroos | Bard Raptors | Buena Vista Beavers | Colorado College Tigers | Concordia – Wisconsin Falcons | Elmhurst Blue Jays | Rose Hulman Inst. of Technology Engineers | Wisconsin Lutheran Warriors
Junior College
Barton Comm. College Cougars | Colby CC Trojans | Dodge City CC Lady Conqs | Garden City Comm. College Broncbusters | Grays Harbor CC Chokers | Howard College Hawks | Johnson County CC Cavaliers | Seward County Comm. College Saints | Trinidad State Trojans | Western Nebraska Cougars
NAIA
Bethany (KS) Swedes | Bethel (KS) Threshers | Concordia (NE) Bulldogs | Doane Tigers | Fresno Pacific Univ. Sunbirds | John Brown Golden Eagles | Kansas Wesleyan Lady Coyotes | Missouri Valley Vikings | Sterling Warriors
Due to circumstances involving the playing courts at one of the initial sites, many games were postponed briefly, then relocated to different locations across the greater Denver area – Because of that, I was unable to see as many teams as I would have liked but still was able to watch many many talented players, all with different builds and skillsets. There were 20 or so players that stood out to me, who helped contribute to their teams success – These players, time after time made plays that ultimately impacted the game. Of those 20 Players, 15 were Selected as “Pool All-Stars”, meaning the opposing AAU coaches felt those players performed the best on that team during their matchups; All-Stars were determined by total number of votes in that specific pool.
Here are the players who impressed with a brief analysis!
CA – Move as One 17
#32 Journey Morrison 5’7” Guard (2023) Buchanan HS
Smooth lefty that has a money midrange jumper. Can also shoot the 3ball and get into the lane. Strong, high energy multiple effort player – Pool A All-Star
CO – CO B&B Bball Academy 17 Black
#4 Natalie Guanella 5’7” Guard (2023) Monarch HS
Strong Guard, good in the open court with decision making. Smooth in transition, uses body to shield defender – Pool F All-Star
CO – NOCO Triple Threat Elite 17 BSAL 23
#11 Bree Bunting 5’8” Guard (2023) Platte Valley HS
Long athletic Guard/Wing that plays multiple positions; Has good footwork and plays with good energy. – Pool D All-Star
CO – Colorado Rising Stars 17 Ulmer
#24 Dessirae Ulmer 6’0” Forward (2024) Fountain Fort Carson
Good size, strong, physical in the paint, multiple effort player – Pool F All-Star
CO – Lady Roughriders 17 Sagner
#7 Charlotte Brennan 5’5” Guard (2023) Mead HS
Catch & shoot specialist from behind the 3pt line; jumps to the ball, hands ready in the shooting pocket, textbook – Pool E All-Star
CO – NOCO Triple Threat Elite 17 BSAL 23
#2 Kealy Carson 5’5” Guard (2023) Southeast HS
Sound Guard who can stretch a defense with her shooting ability; high energy player that gives great effort on both ends.
CO – Lady Roughriders 17 Sagner
#1 Seneya Martinez 5’8” Guard (2022) Northridge HS
All-around fundamentally sound Guard who passes, rebounds, shoots and defends
KS – SSA Gameball 17 Ingram
#27 Oen Deters 5’7” Guard (2025) Centralia HS
Quick Guard with good body control; Good consistent shooting motion on 3pt shot – Pool E All-Star
MN – Crossfire 17 Goodman
#24 Abigail Lord 5’10” Forward (2023) Totino Grace
Good size, gets deep post position, multiple layup finishes inside paint. Can also extend out to 3pt line – Pool C All-Star
NE – Bridgeport 17 Kuhlen
#0 Olivia Loomis-Goltl 5’10” Wing (2024) Bridgeport Public School
Lefty, Strong & physical, has a silky pull up jumper. Rebounds well and looks for the kick ahead pass – Pool F All-Star
NE – Unity Stars 17
#12 Ahmani Klabunde 5’6” Guard (2024) Benson Magnet HS
A three level scorer that is skilled and confident! Explosive off the dribble and in the pick’n’roll
NM – NM Select 17 BSTTL
#24 Lila Ashida-Schwis 5’7” Guard (2023) Las Cruces HS, NM
High motor 2-way player that Plays tenacious defense and can get a basket from multiple spots – Pool C All-Star
NM – NM Select 17 BSTTL
#35 Jordyn Hernandez 6’0” Forward (2024) Burges HS, Texas.
Versatile Forward who can score inside/out – Post up game and can hit the 3ball. Rebounds and blocks shots – Pool C All-Star
NM – NM Select 17 BSTTL
#10 Mila Espinoza 5’5” Guard (2025) Volcano Vista HS, NM
Skilled Guard who is a Deadly 3pt shooter once in a rhythm. Good IQ, unselfish player – Pool C All-Star
NM – NM Select 17 BSTTL
#15 Brianna Vargas 5’4” Guard (2023) Burges HS, El Paso Texas
Dynamic Guard with a nice 3pt stroke; Sneaky good at getting to the cup and drawing contact for an AND1
NM – NM Flash 17
#11 Ema Rose 5’11” Forward (2023) Gadsden HS, NM
Big and physical back to the basket player; multiple effort player that has good timing when blocking shots – Pool D All-Star
NM – NM Flash 17
#23 Ciprianna Garcia 5’5” Guard (2023) Escalante HS, NM
Floor spacing wing who can also get into the lane and has soft touch over the top (floaters) – Pool D All-Star
NM – Las Cruces Premier
#10 Adrianna Torres 6’0” Forward (2024) Centennial HS
Long & athletic with a good jump shot; good energy & hardly surrenders defensive position.
TX – West Texas Breeze 17
#2 Kelby Baccus 5’9” Guard (2023) New Home HS
High motor, plays with good energy; Has good ball handling skills and likes to gets rid of the ball early in transition for early offense – Pool A All-Star
TX – West Texas Breeze 17
#7 Andie Caddel 5’10” Guard/Wing (2024) Frenship Isd HS
Multiple position player – She rebounds, defends and handles the ball. Has Good awareness and anticipation.
Nice midrange pull up jumper in transition – Pool A All-Star