2016 Adidas Gauntlet Finale

The inaugural adidas Gauntlet Finale consisted of 120 teams and was attended by over 140 college coaches. Bracket seeding was determined by adidas Gauntlet series games played in April in Phoenix and Indianapolis.

Texas Elite adidas 17U Prime followed up their Super 64 championship with another outstanding tournament to win the Gauntlet National division.  2017 Vivian Gray has rounded into form and is playing at an elite level. Gray’s pull up jumper and ability to pass on the offensive end is a beautiful thing to watch when she is clicking on all cylinders. Complementing Gray is 2018 skyrocketing pg Tatum Veitenheimer.  Veitenheimer has taken a huge step forward in her play this summer and is in the discussion at the very top of the 2018 point guard class nationally. 2017 sharp shooter Trinity Oliver made her presence felt at the Finale. Oliver’s slashing style combined with her ability to guard elite wings make her a heavily recruited prospect in the class. 2017 Lauren Heard is an elite on-ball defender who can guard the 1 or 2 positions. Heard’s timely shooting and playmaking have been instrumental in Prime’s July run. 2018 Bryn Gerlich is one of the more underrated players in the class. Gerlich’s combination of shooting, basketball IQ, and grit have been a key component of the Prime team. 2018 Sedona Prince, fresh off of a trip to Spain with the USA U17 team, improved throughout July. Prince’s overwhelming size and skill are next to impossible for most teams to defend. Prince has improved on the defensive end (especially rebounding) and remains amongst the top of her class. Her jumper is a thing of beauty and she has gotten more aggressive in the paint. With this team she gets rewarded for sprinting the floor and, as a shot blocking presence, allows the guards to really pressure defensively. 2018 Catherine Reese is an electric athlete/floor runner and outstanding rebounder on both ends. As Reese expands her range on her jumper, look for her to greatly improve her ranking in the class. 2017 Temitope Alao is a physical marvel whose skill is starting to catch up to her athleticism. Alao’s best basketball is in front of her and her natural ability is going to provide huge dividends at the next level. 2017 Allison Reese is a gritty, high-energy guard with a nice ability to knock down shots from 3. 2017 Ryanne Johnson is a banger with soft hands and a nice touch that is an absolute handful to deal with in the post.

Texas Elite adidas 16u Holcombe came out with the Gauntlet Elite division championship. Holcombe was led by 2018 Amber Bacon’s defensive tenacity and ball handling/decision making. Bacon is a rising prospect who routinely shuts down opposing point guards. 2018 Uchenna Nwoke is an elite post prospect. Nwoke’s work on the boards and ability to control the paint on the defensive end were vital in Holcombe’s march to a championship. 2018 Sydney Hardeman is complementing her ability to shoot the ball from 3 with a developing defensive mentality. 2018 Jada Peacock brings energy throughout the game, making plays on both ends of the floor. 2018 Rylee Lavender makes timely shots and plays. Lavender seems to like the big moments and continues to make vital plays when called upon. 2018 Taelour Pruitt makes plays on both ends, does a good job of making plays for others and finishes in transition. 2018 Kayla Moutry has a nice feel for the game and is an excellent passer. Moutry’s ability to help handle pressure is key when opponents focus on Bacon. 2018 Diamond Willcot makes all the little plays that lead to wins for Holcombe. Versatility as a defender and being a very good rebounder with the ability to finish in transition make Willcot a key ingredient.
 
Even with all the elite talent at the Finale, there were 3 young players who stood above the rest.
2019 Kennedy Brown (NHLA adidas 2019 Myers) – Showed elite skill and a true competitive side when tested by fellow 2019 post Taylor Jones. Brown took over the 2 ^nd half against Jones in the championship game of the 3 Stripe Elite division in front of many heavy hitting college coaches. Brown won round 1 in what has the makings of a terrific rivalry with Jones.

2019 Taylor Jones (Urban Heroes Elite – Alexander) – Officially on the national radar; Jones has elite size and athleticism, combined with terrific fundamentals. Jones won the 1v1 matchup in the 1 ^st half before Brown took over in the 2 ^nd half.  I am Interested to see them face off again down the road.

2020 Hailey Van Lith (Northwest Blazers Orange) – Wow. Elite level IQ. Fearless against top level teams with elite players 3+ years older than her. Lefty has it all. Special talent.
There were so many outstanding players at the Finale, it would be next to impossible to name them all. Here are just a few of the standouts.

2017’s
Michaela Onyenwere (New Mexico Heat Elite Gauntlet) – STUD on both ends of the floor. Complete 2-way player with no visible holes in her game.

N’Dea Flye (Northwest Blazers Orange) – Hit a ton of shots throughout the tournament from 3; Terrific ball handler and vision off the bounce.

Jaedyn De La Cerda (New Mexico Heat Elite Gauntlet) – Sniper from 3. Excellent ball handler; Makes great decisions with the ball.

Chelsey Gipson (GBL Team Candace Parker 17u Elite) – Handles, ultra aggressive on the offensive end; Easy release with deep range from 3.

Jordan Walker (Michigan Storm – Gauntlet (Love)) – Natural scorer who creates off the bounce;  Excellent ball handler, Terrific vision off the bounce.

Desiree Oliver (Western PA Bruins – Cash) – Oliver caught my eye in Indy earlier in the year and has now confirmed my belief. Powerful build allows for contact finishes; Terrific shooter from both 3 and mid range, Terrific rebounder and versatile defender.

Cara Judkins (Germantown Lady Panthers Elite) – Terrific sized banger in the post. Good footwork and soft hands down low (Pitt commit).

Mallory Vaughn (OK PWP Elite 17u adidas) – Skilled with elite size. Finishes with both hands. Good job patrolling the paint and contesting without fouling on the defensive end. (Recently committed to the University of Arizona)

Jadyn Bush (Northwest Blazers Orange) – Good athlete who is relentless in attacking the paint. Works the whole game on both ends. Excellent rebounder.

Megan Vincent (Texas Fire Black) – Elite size and can really shoot from 3. Good rebounder and does a good job of contesting without fouling.

Madison Piper (Kansas Hoopsters 2017) – Solid frame. Excellent shooter from 3. Takes on a lot of responsibility and the primary scoring load.

Trena Mims (OK PWP Elite 17u adidas) – High I.Q. Competitor, who makes plays on both ends. Terrific decisions off the bounce. Wants the ball in critical moments.

Mia Davis (MD Lady Shooting Stars Mack 16U) – Strong frame. Nice dribble drive take facing up against bigs. Finishes with contact. Good free throw shooter. Crafty finisher around the basket.

Lauren Holmes (AAO Banshees 2017) – Terrific athlete (high school track star) with a nice stroke from 3. Makes plays on both ends throughout the game.

Sidney Lovitsch (All In 17U Kahleaf) – Good athlete with very good instincts. Very good shooter from 3 and really plays the passing lanes well.

Jordan Sanders (Della Lamb Running Angels Gauntlet National) – 2-way player. Excellent in transition.

Jaelencia Williams (Indiana Elite Team Indiana) – Great physical frame. Good athlete with improving game. Best basketball is in front of her.

Ellie Rice (Texas Elite adidas 17U GATA) – Need a (high academic) shooter with a tight handle? This lefty had multiple games that displayed her ability to get hot from 3. Games of 5, 4 (in a half), and 3 threes.

Kayla Bush (New Jersey Panthers 16u Gold) – Good athlete with excellent size. Makes plays on both ends.

Tyah Hunter (Team Loaded) – Excellent shooter with good size.

Teri Goodlett (Louisville Legends Elite) – Natural player with a smooth stroke. Very good use of the pull up jumper.

Shanaijah Davidson (JBS adidas I Gauntlet) – Sniper from 3. Nice use of ball fake to create. Very skilled ball handler.

Delesha Jackson (Lady’s 1^st Green) – Extremely quick on both ends of the floor. Clever finisher in traffic.

Morgan Allen (WI Flight Elite 11^th Adidas) – Good athlete and size. Plays both ends.

Alexa Hoy (Texas Elite adidas 17u Bounce) – Very good size and athleticism at the guard position. Plays passing lanes well. Easy 3-point range. Ability to guard multiple positions.

2018’s
Amaya Brown (New Mexico Heat Elite Gauntlet) – Excellent athlete with terrific size. Great decisions with the ball. Developing jumper. Very good use of pull up jumper from mid range. Sustained a knee injury during their quarterfinal matchup – we are hoping for the best for her.

Patricia Morris (OC Elite SkillSet 17U) – Elite length. Very good rebounder. Good job patrolling paint on the defensive end. Nice touch around the rim.

Danielle Rauch (I-90 Elite U17 Gauntlet) – Pushes the ball and makes terrific decisions off the bounce. Plays passing lanes well on the defensive end.

Kate Cain (Hudson Valley Elite Blue Reilly) – Elite height. Terrific job protecting the rim and blocking shots without fouling. Soft touch around the rim.

Kassidy DeLapp (JBS adidas II Gauntlet) – Rugged, strong frame. Physical, gritty rebounder. Love to play with her, hate to play against her.

Megan Abrams (Louisiana Lady Select Black) – Lefty. Crafty point guard who runs team. Likes the big shots.

Jhakya Dilworth (Texas Elite adidas 17U GATA) – Size/skill combo. Gets really hot from 3 in stretches. Ability to become a lock down defender with seasoning and a commitment on that end of the floor.

Mia Heide (Texas Elite adidas 17U GATA) – Legit post prospect. Great size and frame. She looks to be getting more physical in the paint, but still maintains her soft touch 15 feet and in.

Brooke Carlson (Nebraska Lasers) – Good size and strong body. Good footwork. Excellent rebounder and a soft touch around the rim.

2019’s
Aijha Blackwell (Team St. Louis RED) – Excellent skill, size and athletic ability combination. No real flaw in game.

Akunna Konkwo (17U J. Harris P.S.P.A Rams) – Outstanding, athletic strong body who is a monster on the boards and has a nice touch in the post.

Gabby Gregory (OK PWP Elite 17u adidas) – Size/skill mismatch. Excellent shooter who can also create her own shot. Good defensive rebounder.

Lauren Fields (Texas Elite adidas 16u Noble) – Sniper from 3. Excellent athlete. Very good decisions with the ball. Plays both ends of the floor.

Asonah Alexander (PlayHerz Basketball Club 17U) – Terrific ball handler and vision off the bounce. Great motor on the defensive end. Good timing on run down blocks in defensive transition.

Hanna Cavinder (Arizona Elite Black) – Tremendous ball handler. Makes great decisions with the ball off the bounce. Very good shooter from 3 off the catch.

Maya Johnson (Carolina All-Stars 2017) – Playing in post, will eventually need to step out to the wing. Instinctive player who makes plays on both ends. Really runs floor well.

Autumn Watts (CBC U17 Elite adidas) – Very strong body for such a young player. Good touch around the rim, excellent rebounder.

Tionna Carter (InnerMan Lady Rebels Red) – Terrific, young athlete. Excellent in transition. Good rebounder on the defensive end.