CHICAGOLAND, Ill. – USJN offers the most reputable and extensive roster of girls grassroots basketball events in both NCAA certified and non-certified calendars.  The RecPlex and Trinity International were the game sites for last week’s second annual USJN Great Plains Qualifier.  There were 38 teams and over 500 players on hand representing four different states on at this young and quickly growing event.

Post Event page can be found at - http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=187

 Here are just a few of the prospects that stood out over the two day event.

2015

Mackenzie Wolf  (WI Lakers 17/Sheboygan North), a post player from Kohler, WI, is a physical presence inside but also showed that she could knock down the free throw line jumper when left open.  At 6-3, she has good size plus a college type body.  Wolf proved that she’s just not a rebound and outlet post player by demonstrating the ability to start the break herself off the dribble.

2016

If you’re looking for a heady point guard to take control of the team when needed by distributing the ball to open teammates then take a look at McKaela Schmelzer (IL Rockford Wildcats/Harlem HS).  The 5-8 floor general can also by put the team on her back by scoring herself when needed. There’s not a lot of flash in her game, but she just gets the job done. Physically there’s good size and strength, so Schmelzer should be able to move over to wing if needed at the next level.

2017

If you haven’t heard of Sidney Cooks (WI ABC Knights 17/St. Joseph Catholic) of Kenosha, WI, just wait and you will.  Long and lanky at 6-4, the young post can run the floor, block shots and step out and knock down an occasional 17 footer. Though, still not a polished product, the possibilities are obvious and seem to be keeping everyone intrigued as to just how good she can ultimately be.  Her low post game will need to develop but that should come along as she physically matures.

2018

Chrislyn Carr (IA Showtime 14) of Davenport, IA was a crowd favorite at the event.  At times the 5-3 speedster was a one person press breaker.  Additionally, in the half court she seemed to be able to break defenses down and get to basket at will.  Whether the situation called for setting up her teammates options or looking for her own opportunities, Carr stepped up.  She showed a good mid-range jumper of her own and knocked down numerous 3’s throughout the course of the event.

One smooth and slender guard that played well throughout the tournament was 5-8 Caylin Rufus (IL United 13/York Community HS).  She showed a multitude of skills for a player of her young age.  She has a great stroke from behind the three point line and also can create options off of the dribble.  When teams tried to take away her perimeter shot, Rufus used her quickness and ballhandling to attack the rim.  Expect great things from this young lady in the future.

2019

Versatile players that have the size and strength to post up inside but still can use their sweet stroke to knock down 3’s are a rare commodity.  Breanna Beal (IA Showtime 14) just happens to be one of those hard to find prospects.  Despite her youth, she already measures 6-0, however I still look for her to be more of a wing player at the next two levels of her career.

Martin Clapp comes to Blue Star with over 30 years of coaching experience in women’s basketball.  Most recently he served eight years on the sidelines at Purdue University in one of the nation’s premier programs.  Prior to his time with the Boilermakers, he spent 14 seasons as the head coach at the University of Louisville where he helped guide them to six NCAA tournament berths and earned 2001 conference Coach of the Year honors.  Prior to taking over the helm for the Cardinals, Clapp spent time at the professional level (NWBL) as well as collegiately at Arkansas College, Arkansas Little-Rock, and his alma mater Murray State.

WAUKEGAN, Ill.--The 8th annual USJN Windy City Classic once again proved itself to be one of the premier events of the NCAA Spring Evaluation period. With 345 teams and over 3,500 athletes, this tournament was one of the deepest in the country during the April non-scholastic weekend and the top brackets featured some of the nation’s elite prospects in each class.  Wall to wall recruiters were on hand from every tier on the colligate level to take in all the action from start to finish.

 Here are several prospects that stood out over the course of the three day event. 

 2014

Chatrice White – 6-03 – Easily one of the top post players in the Midwest who plays with the Nebraska CSS Bison.  White is a traditional post player with very good feet.  She shows her range at times yet still was dominant in the paint throughout the tournament.  White is currently undecided but has narrowed her choices to Oklahoma State, Illinois and Nebraska.  (Commitment update - White has chosen to join Matt Bollant and the folks in Champaign going with Illinois over the Cowgirls and Cornhuskers)

Bria Pierce – 5-11 – This perimeter player from Overland Park, Kansas is a physical player with good ball skills. She played extremely well all weekend.  In the bracket championship game she took over with her 3 point shooting. In that title game her Missouri Valley Eclipse team beat the NE CSS Bison for top honors.

Kortney Dunbar – 6-1 – This post player from Edwardsville, Illinois is smooth but at the same time very physical inside. In a semi-final game against the NE CSS team, she out rebounded both White and standout sophomore Jessica Shepard.  Making this Illinois verbal all the more impressive is the range and touch she has from the perimeter.

Justine Hall – 5-9 - An Aurora, Colorado native, this slender, explosive wing plays for the Colorado Rockies.  She has very good guard skills and is a threat shooting the ball. She recently led her Regis Jesuit High School team to the Colorado state championship this past march. She is still undecided on her college choice but already has offers from Pac 12, Big 10 and Big 12 schools. 

Brook Kissinger – 5-7 – Another Illinois commit, Kissinger is a very smooth point guard with good handles. She has very good court vision and the speed to capitalize on it.  She plays alongside of White and Shepard for the NE CSS Bison club team.   

2015

Napheesa Collier – 6-2 – Already well-established as one of the top prospects to watch in the 2015 class, this St. Louis native displayed her dominance each time she took the floor.  The lean, athletic forward has the capacity to be a threat away from the rim or take over in the paint when needed.  She has the ability to run with the guards and can be a factor on the break or setting up in the halfcourt.  The top tier recruiters have been lining up for a couple of years already.  

Jessica Shepard – 6-3 – While Collier may still be weighing her college options this elite 2015 inside – out threat has already provided a verbal commitment to Coach Connie Yori and the Nebraska Cornhuskers.  Named the Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year, Shepard has the size and versatility to challenge any opponent.  Along with White and Kissinger, she helped lead the NE CSS squad to a division title.

Jerry Howard has covered women’s basketball for over 10 years and oversees Biokates Sports Network and HoopTracker Magazine.  He speaks nationally on recruiting for various sports as well.

HAMPTON, Va.—A week has come and gone since the NCAA Spring Evaluation weekend and the kickoff of what promises to be an exciting season of club basketball.  If you checked in daily with Blue Star Media you found multiple articles from Boo Williams and USJN Windy City as well as coverage from Deep South, Blue Chip and USJN Capital City.  An event like the Boo Williams Nike Invitational offers up so many athletes and teams that complete coverage would be virtually impossible but today we’ll add a few more insights and photos to the mix before we move on to a very busy spring of non-certified events and coverage. 

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