COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The structure of the USA Basketball U16 trials provides for three sessions of skill work before reality sets in and the heat is turned up in the actual trials themselves.  This year 124 participants, 32 invited by USA Basketball and 92 open applicants, are competing for 12 spots to represent the Red, White and Blue in Cancun, Mexico next month in the FIBA America’s U16 Championship.

While skill instruction can provide some insight to an athlete’s ability and potential, it’s the actual full court competition that reveals who’s bringing what to the table.  The 5 on 5 opportunities have been limited thus far, however we thought we would offer up five athletes apiece who caught our eye in Friday evening’s first audition plus a one liner as to just why we liked them.  Some are obvious but we were also looking for those who may be emerging, evolving or just beginning to tap into the possibilities in front of them.

With three sessions each Saturday and Sunday, the competition will only get more intense for the chance make the final cut.  Everyone will be back in action Saturday morning before the selection committee will begin narrowing the field working towards Monday’s formal roster announcement.  Survive and advance isn’t just for March Madness!

Lisa Bodine

Erin Boley  (Hodgenville, Ky. – Elizabethtown H.S.) – 6-2 – 2016 - An extremely efficient wing,  she knows how to play without the ball and finish plays.

Kalani Brown (Slidell, La. – Salmen H.S.) – 6-5 – 2015 - This lefty can dominate the paint on both sides of the ball and has excellent footwork plus counter moves in the post.

Lauren Cox (Flower Mound, Texas – Flower Mound H.S) – 6-4 – 2016 - With the height of a post player and the skill of a shooting guard, she draws immediate comparison to Elena Delle Donne.

Arike Ogunbowale (Milwaukee, Wisc. – Divine Savior of Holy Angels H.S.) – 5-9 – 2015 - A dynamic scoring guard who makes tough shots from anywhere on the court while having a natural feel for the game.

Kylee Shook (Colorado Springs, Colo. – Mesa Ridge H.S.) – 6-3 – 2016 - With both excellent body control and length, she showed well as a wing.

Prentice Beverly

Mikayla Boykin (Clinton, N.C. – Sampson M.S.) – 5-9 – 2017 - This is an impressive eighth grader who appeared to being pressing early but finished on a high note.

Lauren Brozoski (Cambria heights, N.Y. – Long island Lutheran H.S.) – 5-5 – 2015 - This ultra-quick floor general did an excellent job of involving her teammates giving herself a shot at making the cut.

Qaeda Ismail (Bel Air, Md. – Patterson Mill H.S.) – 6-0 - 2015 - A fun to watch, versatile athlete with the ability to play multiple positions.

Tori McCoy (Champaign, Ill. – The H.S. of St. Thomas Moore) – 6-4 – 2016 - A  6-3 forward that had her all-around game on display proving that she is indeed "The Real McCoy".

Anna Wilson (Richmond, Va. – Collegiate School) – 5-7 - 2016- A freshman, true point guard with a high basketball IQ and a controlled calmness far beyond her years.

Mark Lewis

Jaelyn Brown (Murrieta, Ga. – Vista Murrieta H.S.) – 6-1 –2016 - This left handed slasher has a long, lean build and creates plenty of options while getting to the rim almost at will.

Natalie Chou (Plano, Texas – Plano West H.S.) – 6-1 – 2016 – Lots of size, skills and instinct allow this versatile wing to make impressive plays on the break or in the halfcourt.

Chelsea Dungee (Okmulgee, Okla. – Preston Public School) – 5-11 – 2016 – Physically strong on the wing, her individual skills allow her to create looks or passes effectively.

Joyner Holmes (Cedar Hill, Texas – Cedar Hill H.S.) – 6-3 – 2016 – Once you get past the eye catching size, build and frame you realize there’s some evolving skills that will take her however far she’s willing to work for.

Sydney Morang (New Providence, N.J. – New Providence H.S.) – 6-0 – 2016 – A lefty with lots of length, she’s showing a lot of promise down the road with continued development.  

RANCH CUCAMONGA, Calif.—As the NCAA tightens their certification and evaluation belts, the number of events being run outside of their recruiting calendar continues to grow in numbers, quality and participation.  One such event that has been a staple over the past six years is the West Coast Spring Invitational run by Brian Crichlow and the West Coast Premier.  This year 88 teams with players representing over 10 states were on hand to compete in four separate divisions.

While the tournament itself was a well-run, first class event, the hosts were somewhat less than hospitable with their opponents taking home top honors in the challenging Super Elite Division.  The West Coast Premier utilized a 41 -24 second half to break open a 31 all halftime tie in the championship game with the Cal Stars to claim the title.  Both teams posted impressive wins in the semis with WCP getting by California Storm Team Taurasi 43 – 39 and the Stars edging Jordin Canada and the Cal Sparks 57 – 52.  When you consider that pool play included the likes of Cal Swish Black, Wiggins Waves, NY Gauchos, DFW T-Jack , Cal Ballaz and the East Bay Explosion, it’s easy to place a premium on the bragging rights that come with the championship hardware.

West Coast was led by USC commit Chyanne Butler’s dynamic play at the point and the often eye-catching efforts of forward Monique Billings.  Add in some solid low post production from Amy Okonkwo and a deep bench and you’ve got a winning combination.  In defeat the Stars, following up their Silver Division title efforts earlier this spring at the Boo Williams Invitational, were paced by steady playmaker Natalie Romero, talented swing Kelli Hayes and a polished performance from Mariya Moore.  West Coast’s entire roster is made up of 2014’s as was all but two in uniform for the Stars.   

In the 17 Elite division the Cal Sparks Blue 2015 squad took honors with a 56 – 44 win over the San Diego Sol.  In the 17 Open bracket the Cal Ballaz HS team took down Salesian Select 52 – 41 in the final.  The 15U Gold championship contest saw Cal Swish take a four point win over Salesian Force 49 – 45.

For pool results as well as complete championship brackets go to

http://www.wcpremierbball.com/Home_Page.php

Good competition always leads to good performances.  Here are just a few of the standouts from the action in SoCal last weekend.

2014

If you’ve been on the club circuit the past several years you got used to the Arizona Warriors and their trademark light blue T-shirts and some quality basketball.  Seeing Courtney Ekmark (Ariz. - St. Mary’s – Cal Swish Black) in a different uniform is an odd sight.  However what hasn’t changed are the skills, instincts and production she brings to the floor.  Mother Nature has done her part with the UConn verbal commit topping out at over six feet tall and a more mature and physical build that serves her well in traffic.  The reliable perimeter scoring is still in place but she’s become more efficient in her penetration and creation of both shots and passes.  Swish was playing without the services of injured Katie Lou Samuelson but the thought of the she and Ekmark on the floor together with the rest of the Swish roster at some point down the road should put a smile on the face of Coach Russ Davis.

The West Coast Premier got a lot from several players on the roster.  Playing at the higher elevations Monique Billings (Calif. – Santiago – West Coast Premier) is making impacts at both ends of the floor.  Across the weekend the 6-3 forward demonstrated a level of athleticism we’ve seen in the past along with a continued advancement in her skill set that will make her a prime asset to any program at the next level.  Standing out this weekend was a dominance on the boards that would have any coach smiling.  She was effective in finishing WCP’s defense as well as creating some second looks on the offensive end.  Add to that the ability to run the floor with the guards at 6-3 and you have something opposing defenders will be cringing at come game time.  Billings still needs to add some depth to her already growing arsenal of post moves to keep opponents honest but the progress is obvious and impressive.

Recruiters value the combination of size and perimeter skills almost to a fault.  At the same time it’s easy to rationalize when you find an athlete bringing both qualities to the table.  Ashley Bolston (Ore. – South Medford – East Bay Explosion) is one of those prospects.  Having been listed at 6-1 in the past, she looks to have added additional size along with some confidence to her attack.  While not a point guard by any means, she took the ball from the top using individual skills and found her way to the rim time and again.  Bolston also has calls on some effective body control in traffic helping to get her looks or leading to multiple trips to the line.  While she didn’t “light it up” away from the rim, the stroke and form are in place to serve her well and keep defenders closing out.  The foot speed is there to defend on the perimeter as well as to be an asset in any pressing situations.  Bolston is parlaying an exceptional high school season into a promising spring and summer effort.  

Power guard is not an unheard of position in recruiting circles but it is difficult to find an athlete who truly fits the description.  Standing 5-10 to 5-11, Mariah Williams (Calif. – Vanden – Cal Ballaz) is constantly on the attack and doing so with a relentless approach.   She understands the need to get defenders out of their stance and can call on a well-honed change of direction to leave them behind.  The assertiveness and effort Williams plays with puts her in position to make plays in transition as well as the half court.  Her instincts for the ball put her in a position to be a strong asset off the ball defensively as well as on the boards from the perimeter.  It would be much better to play with her than against her. 

One of the more impressive individual performances of the West Coast Spring Invitational came from Mariya Moore (Calif. – Salesian – Cal Stars).  This 6-0 standout has been listed as a guard, forward and wing at various points in her career.  The mystery may well still be just what position does she play.  The one thing that’s not at issue is that she’s a top tier prospect.  Baseball often refers to some of their players as “utility” and that may be exactly what Moore is.  You need a physical attacking game, she’s got it.  Looking for someone to take it herself off the dribble and create in the paint…her again.  Even the perimeter shooting is coming along enough to force defenders to stay close enough to contest.  Her willingness to mix things up makes her a college ready prospect defensively and on the glass.  It doesn’t really seem to matter what position she plays when she provides the production that she does.

Her 6-1 listed height might be a stretch for Kristen Simon (Calif. – Windward – Cal Sparks) but her game seems to be getting bigger each time out.  Physical and strong, Simon’s got a bigger frame that she’s more than willing to put to use on either end of the floor.  Her posting is aggressive and leads to plenty of entry passes coming her way and some quality looks at the rim.  The ability to work out of the high post is giving her game more diversity and making her a more challenging match up for opponents including knocking it down from the elbows.  If she’s not initiating the break, the speed is deceptively there to make her a factor running the floor.  Consistency will still need to evolve but the steady advancement in her game is obvious and the effort is always there.

2015

If anyone among the underclassman on hand has made a statement over the past year it may well have been Kennedy Burke (Calif. – Sierra Canyon – WCP Valley Elite).  Playing with length and athleticism, she has the tools to challenge defenders with size or exploit those with quickness.  Burke is comfortable handling the ball on the break and is adept at finding her own looks or improving the opportunities of her teammates.  The penetration provides plenty but the pull up is in place as well.  Deeper range really wasn’t on display last week but the form leaves no reason to think the threat wouldn’t be there.  At 6-0, defensively she’s a coach’s dream.  Her reach and lateral footspeed makes her a candidate to lock up opposing threats in man to man half or within full or halfcourt pressure.  Strength will have to evolve but with two more high school seasons in front of her there’s plenty of time for that.

While the Gauchos struggled to a degree on their West coast swing, one of their 2015 standouts had some moments playing for both teams they brought to the coast.  Jordan Augustus (N.Y. – St. Mary’s – Gauchos) has the tools to be a big stage guard and provided some glimpses of the assets college recruiters look for.  At 5-10 she’s got good size plus impressive speed and quickness.  Making that even more of a threat is a physical approach to her play highlighted by good strength.  Augustus is assertive off the dribble and more than willing to share the ball when helpside rotates her way.  The ability is there to score it at the rim or on the jumper.  There were times defensively that she completely shut down her match up and with consistency could be a hallmark of her game.  Holding her back at times is her approach and focus.  She tends to wear her emotions on her face and occasionally let the last play impact the next.

DFW T-Jack didn’t fare much better in Cali than the folks from New York.  At the same time there were some individual moments that could lead to a reversal of fortune as the summer progresses.  Ashley Hearn (Texas – Sasche – DFW T-Jack) continues to offer flashes of what could be an evolution from potential to reality.  The 6-5 post has been on the radar from a young age and has added plenty of size and strength to go with impressive athleticism.  Her leaping ability has always made her a force on the boards and put her in a position to finish the looks that come her way.  The question mark is still there as to her capacity to create her own opportunities on the catch.  On the defensive end she’s a presence and can alter looks matched up or in rotations.  Hearn has all the tools to be every opposing post’s worst nightmare, but she’s not…yet. 

 Some players just catch your eye every time you see them in the gym.  This 6-4 post has the size, build and frame recruiters would like to order off the menu.  Cierra Porter (Mo. – Rockbridge – PBR Finest Phenoms) is gradually evolving into a versatile and complete post.  The stroke is there to step away and force defenders to chase her out of their comfort zone.  At the same time those physical attributes put her in a position to make things happen down low.  There’s still plenty of work and some rough edges but she continues to add to her skill set offensively and is becoming more active defending down low or reacting to perimeter penetration.  There were moments Porter mixed it up physically and she’ll need more of those moments as she looks at the next level. 

2016

Already a well-established 2016 prospect, Leaonna Odom (Calif. – Los Alamitos – Cal Storm Team Taurasi) continues to add to her game and advance her skills.  Now standing over 6-0 and playing with elite athleticism, she’s a factor anytime she’s on the floor and commands defensive attention and focus.  At her age she’s still lean but physical play isn’t an issue as she’s constantly active and hard to put a body on.  Offensively she’s utilizing screens more efficiently and continues to work to get open even if the first option is taken away.  On the catch she slashes through traffic and can convert near the rim or off the pull up.    

Physically strong with good size on the perimeter, Mai-Loni Henson (Calif. – La Jolla Country Day – Wiggins Waves) is quickly establishing herself as one to watch in the 2016 class.  At 5-10 she’s smooth and fluid with the ball in her hands and plays with an attacking mentality.  She finished off penetration but struggled to find consistency with the pull up.  The form is there but somewhat forward and in need of some attention.  Henson has the physical tools to be strong defender at any spot on the perimeter with the right focus.  Lots of tools, keep watching. 

When the USA U16 Trials begin next week in Colorado Springs it will be the first time that many of the elite 33 invited athletes will genuinely be in a position to be “cut” in an effort to secure a place on a basketball team.  When you consider the fact that just 12 individuals will be named to the team, 21 high profile and already accomplished players will head home dealing with a disappointment that has never been an issue for them before.  There’s also the possibility that even a couple more might come up short with over 100 additional hopefuls taking part in the trials by way of open application.  The last time around for the 16U group that “uninvited” group included the likes of Lindsay Allen (Notre Dame), Kianna Holland (Duke) and Jessica Washington (North Carolina).   As a result, the competition for just a dozen spots likely will be one of the most intense environments any of these athletes will have ever competed in.

Picking the teams to represent our country in international competition wearing the USA jersey can be a challenging process, particularly at the younger ages.  When you look back on the success of the United States in recent competition at all age levels it’s hard to second guess the selection decisions and methodology utilized by the folks at USA Basketball.  That doesn’t mean that observers at the various trials haven’t been surprised or curious regarding some individual decisions here and there, but the arguments lose validity to a great degree when gold is consistently the result.  This brings me to the point of this column…the best players or the best trial performances don’t always make the final cut to wear red, white and blue.

Before we move on, please keep in mind these thoughts are those of this old coach and outside observer alone rather than someone having anything formally to do with USA Basketball.  That being said, I would like to reiterate what I said above.  The best players or the best performances are not always chosen when the final roster is posted.  We’ve seen several instances where high achieving athletes or incredible play in the trials goes unrewarded…and rightfully so.

The toughest thing for the athletes themselves, as well as the parents, media and evaluators sitting courtside in Colorado Springs to understand is that it’s not actually a competition to make the team…it’s an “audition”.  Just because a player can dominate the floor and do A, B and C doesn’t mean she’s the right “fit” for the team that the committee is envisioning and piecing together.  Let’s face it, as talented of an actor as Johnny Depp is, he wouldn’t be able to quite pull off some of Will Smith’s roles and vice versa.  Doesn’t make either less of an actor, just not right for the part.

International basketball is a completely different style of play than what we see day in and day out here at home.  Logically then, it’s important that consideration be given to the needs for that specific competition and the opponents that could be waiting come game time.  In that light, a lot of talented and high achieving athletes hear the word “no” for the first time in their careers.

Sticking with the analogy of an “audition”, there really isn’t a script for participants to follow when they take the floor at the Olympic Training Center.  It’s tempting to say “get out there and do what you do and do it well”.  To a degree that might be good advice.  At the same time it’s critical that the coaches and selection committee see what they’re looking for in specific drill, breakdown or scrimmage situation.  Do what they ask and how they ask you to do it.  That doesn’t mean you pass up a wide open layup to reverse the ball but it may mean you use the screen being set for you rather than put it on the floor and do your best Carmelo one on one thing. 

It could be that players are asked to do things that normally aren’t part of their game.  That could mean handling the ball more or less than normal, taking shots they normally wouldn’t (or passing them up) or even playing a completely different position.  You can be sure that they’re going to begin building their offensive and defensive structure within everything they do right from the start.  Failure to grasp or follow instruction is a good way to ensure no return trip in June to prepare for the FIBA Americas U16 Championship.  Keeping in mind the short amount of preparation time for international competition, it’s a safe bet they’ll be noticing who picks things up quickly and who struggles with change and instruction.

And then there are the “givens”. 

It’s a given that you work hard.  Not just every day, not just every session, but lay it on the line every single rep or possession.  With a group making decisions as to who stays and who goes you never know what eyes might be on you and what they might be looking for at that moment.  Don’t give them a reason to look at someone else.  Assume your opportunity to make it through to the next round of cuts is on the line each time you’re on the floor.

It’s a given that you play team ball.  If ever there was a setting inappropriate to “look for your own” rather than seeking out the best option, this is it.  Keep in mind the folks making decisions are knowledgeable and experienced so even if you convert six of eight forced shots…they won’t be impressed because they know that it doesn’t translate.  On top of that, doing your own thing impacts the opportunities of others and that can backfire in more ways than you can ever imagine.

It’s a given that everything you do “represents”.  Hopefully players are conscious of the fact that, first and foremost, this is an opportunity to represent your country.  Everything you do on and off the court in Colorado Springs is an indicator of just how seriously you might take that role.  Wear your gear as intended.  Leave out the elbow sleeves, sweat bands, head wrap or any individualized personal additions if they aren’t absolutely needed.  If you’re looking to make a statement, make it with your play.  If you’re superstitious, trust me, playing well always provides plenty of good luck.

And lastly, it’s a given that getting cut isn’t always a bad thing.  Disappointing at the time maybe, but in the bigger picture if you truly are an elite level player it will only make you better.  An opportunity to be on the floor with high level players of this caliber is rare and can only sharpen your game.  And if you aren’t motivated by missing the cut, rest assured they made the right choice.  You don’t have to be happy about it but you should have plenty of inspiration to get in the gym every day. 

Should things not go your way, don’t blame someone else, claim that the process is political, or try to rationalize it any other way to make yourself feel better.  The “audition” didn’t go your way and you weren’t what they were looking for this time around.  The players who made the team aren’t necessarily more talented, just better fits for the roles that needed to be filled.  If you disagree, get to work and prove them wrong when you’re on the stage again.