Summer Studs: The Black Mamba
During my Live Period travels the last couple of weeks, I watched some of the country’s most premier talent. In both the Under Armour Finals and the Select Summer Championship, there were big-time performances and intriguing matchups that kept you…
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Continue ReadingDuring my Live Period travels the last couple of weeks, I watched some of the country’s most premier talent. In both the Under Armour Finals and the Select Summer Championship, there were big-time performances and intriguing matchups that kept you on the edge of your seat. Below are some of my favorite performers from last weekend.
Ava Black Ava Black 5'11" | CG Tabor Academy | 2025 State NewE |Bay State Jaguars|5’10”|CG|’25
Put Ava Black Ava Black 5'11" | CG Tabor Academy | 2025 State NewE at the top of the list of players you want with the ball in their hands in crunch time. She was incredible in the 4th quarter of the semi-finals vs. Minnesota Fury and proved she is one of the best shot makers in the region. Black’s shooting has improved, and she can snipe threes at a high clip. Her demeanor, poise, and body language down the stretch were telling. You could tell Black was built for the big stage and knocked down big shot after big shot at all 3 levels. I said after the winter season that her ceiling is the #1 prospect in New England; Black proved that was not an exaggeration on the biggest stage last weekend.
Dani Ceseretti Dani Ceseretti 6'0" | PG Northfield Mt. Hermon | 2024 State NewE | Bay State Jaguars|6’0”|PG|’24
Ceseretti had herself a weekend at the UA Finals. She was instrumental in the Bay State Jaguars’ run to the Championship Game and was dynamic on both sides of the floor. Ceseretti is extremely valuable because she knows how to orchestrate an offense, get into the paint, and make the correct decision. I thought Ceseretti was one of the best defenders from the weekend. Her length and size allow her to guard anyone, and she is a high IQ help-side defender. On numerous occasions, Ceseretti flew over from the weak side to alter a shot and disrupt the opposing team’s offensive flow.
Clarice Borges Clarice Borges 6'0" | CG Dexter Southfield | 2024 State NewE | Bay State Jaguars|6’0”| CG| ’24
I like what Borges brings to the table as a 6’0” guard. She is a deadly catch-and-shoot prospect you always have to keep tabs on. I also like how hard Borges works on defense. She sits low in her stance and keeps her hands active when on the ball. Throughout the weekend, Borges added whatever unit she was assigned.
Zuzanna Komor Zuzanna Komor 5'9" | SG Putnam Science | 2023 State NewE |CT Supreme|5’9”|SG|’23
Komor is one of the more physically imposing 2 guards you’ll see and uses her muscle to her advantage. She explodes to the rack with power and uses her upper body strength to go through contact and score. Komor is a tough finisher with both hands, and when she gets into a rhythm offensively, it opens up her perimeter shot. She showed the range multiple times throughout the weekend, displaying the ability to convert on all three levels efficiently.
Priyanka Ponnam Priyanka Ponnam 6'2" | PF George School | 2025 NY |XGEN Elite|6’2”|PF|’25
I thought Ponnam was an absolute monster on the block and showed discipline in the post. The aggression Ponnam played with every possession was scary because she is too big and strong for most bigs, and when she wants, Ponnam can have her way down low. She worked her way to the free throw line, rolled aggressively off screens, and went through defenders. I also liked how Ponnam did not settle for jump shots. She has a nice outside shot, but instead, she hunted mismatches in the paint.
Taylee Chirrick| Northwest Blazers|5’11”|PG|’24
Chirrick’s efforts shifted momentum in the Blazers’ favor in the Championship game vs. the Bay State Jaguars. She can heat up fast from three and did so in the second half of that game, and it was a key to victory. Chirrick had the ultimate green light and was unconscious whether the defense contested the shot or not. In between her three-point barrage, Chirrick also made good decisions with the ball. Chirrick turned down shots to make the extra pass and get her teammates involved in the offensive flow.
Kenzie Lombardi Kenzie Lombardi 5'11" | SF Portsmouth | 2024 State NewE |XL Thunder|5’10”|SG|’24
Lombardi’s performance Saturday night ended Day 1 on a high note. She was an animal on the glass and fought for every shot that fell off the rim. She has “double-double” written all over her when you couple her strong rebounding with her scoring ability. Lombardi is a deadly knockdown shooter who can fire over the top of the defense. Lombardi also finishes nicely around the basket and has good hands. She made several tough catches in traffic before converting down low.
London Creach London Creach 5'8" | SG Oakland Catholic | 2025 NY |Western PA Bruins|5’7”|CG|’25
Creach is an athletic slashing combo guard who is comfortable handling/scoring the ball with either hand. I got my first look at Creach and her Western PA Bruins team last weekend and liked her approach offensively. She came out the gates aggressive and got into a rhythm early. Creach can shoot off the catch and bounce, showing nice touch and smooth release from the outside. Creach also uses her athleticism to be a factor on the glass. She was tenacious on the boards on both ends.
Ava Persichetti Ava Persichetti 5'9" | PG River Valley | 2025 NY |Western PA Bruins|5’9”|PG|’25
I was drawn to Persichetti’s playmaking ability in transition. I liked how she pushed the tempo and scanned the floor on the break. Persichetti made some impressive passes to her teammates in the halfcourt and wasn’t sloppy with the basketball. Overall, I thought Persichetti did a good job managing the game and facilitating the Bruins’ offense.
Lena Girardi Lena Girardi 6'0" | SG Westminster Academy | 2025 State NY |Comets|6’0”|SG|’25
Girardi is a big guard who cannot only play the position on offense but also defend opposing backcourt players at a high level. She is under control when breaking down her defender and penetrating the basket, using her size and strength as an advantage to power through the paint and finish. Girardi knows how to get her shot off and create separation between herself and the defender. Whether from short or long range, Girardi has the ability and tools to be an explosive and dynamic scorer.