2017 SHE GOT GAME CLASSIC Preview

SHE GOT GAME CLASSIC
EVENT PREVIEW
 
WHEN: DECEMBER 8 – 10
 
WHERE: GREATER DC METRO AREA
 
WHAT: 27 games Friday || 62 games Saturday || 32 games Sunday  ||  25 International Games
 
 
Plainly stated, the SHE GOT GAME CLASSIC is must see basketball. The 9 ^th annual event continues to impress with its lineup of nationally ranked teams as well as 10 international teams. Numerous highly recruited players including several All-American candidates will participate. Tournament Director AD Fairnot works year round to create a competitive field and this year is no exception. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in DC!
 
Overall, the 128 teams from all over the east coast and even including some from Missouri, Georgia, Australia (1), and Canada (9) will participate in 121 games at seven venues across the Greater DC Metropolitan area.
 
The action will kick off Friday night at Wise Jr. High with a marquee matchup between US power Riverdale Baptist (MD) and Canadian power King’s Christian Collegiate (Ontario). Riverdale Baptist first year Head Coach Mike Bozeman (former George Washington University Head Coach) has a roster loaded with talent including a few transfers in Maryland bound Shakira Austin, Baylor bound Honesty Scott-Grayson, and Penn State bound Lauren Ebo. King’s Christian Collegiate has uber-talented Laeticia Amihere (2019) and Wake Forest signee Christina Morra. Unfortunately, Amihere has suffered a knee injury (towards the end of October we are told) and will not be able to play. Everyone wishes her a complete and healthy recovery.
 
Among many roster changes, transfers, and additions is the young guard 2021 Azzi Fudd for St. John’s College HS (DC). This is a team used to the big games and the limelight as they faired well in last year’s event and got a look at teams from other parts of the country as well by playing in the Nike TOC in Phoenix. With a roster already boasting 2018 James Madison signee Jaylin Carodine, Northwestern signee Sydney Wood, Vermont signee Asha Scott, and highly recruited Malu Tshitenge, the freshman Fudd brings poise well beyond her youth and more big stage experience as she was a USA U-16 FIBA Americas gold medal winner this past summer.
 
There will be plenty of eyes on Samantha Brunelle and her William Monroe (VA) squad. Sam is considered the #1 prospect in her class by many and also has multiple USA Basketball experiences on her resume. They take on Bishop Laughlin (NY) on Saturday at 550pm.
 
Long Island Lutheran (NY) has been a heavy hitter in the northeast for a long time. 2019 Jaida Patrick has transferred to Saddle River Day, but they have gained 2019 Georgia Tech commit PG Alisha Lewis. Also on the team are 2018 Princeton signee Grace Stone, 2018 Quinnipiac signee Amani Free, 2019 super recruit and USA Basketball U16 member Celeste Taylor, and 2019 Cassidy Roberts among others.
 
Paul VI (VA) is ready to prove themselves again against the highly regarded teams across the country. 2019 Maryland commit Ashley Owusu, 2018 Tennessee signee Amira Collins, 2018 Boston College signee Kate Klimliewicz, 2019’s Noami Shorts and Elizabeth Thibodeau are on a loaded roster.
 
One of the top point guards in the2019 class is Chloe Chapman of Good Counsel (MD). She has been at the helm of the program since her freshman year and looks to continue running the show as her junior season gets under way. There always seem to be rumors that she will go straight soccer, but she has ended up on the basketball court thus far. She is joined by 2019’s Brianna Forbes and Rayne Tucker and solid senior and Columbia signee Madison Hardy.
 
New Hope Academy (MD) is an intriguing story as former Riverdale Baptist Coach Sam Caldwell is now the Head Coach at New Hope. It looks as though 2019 forward Jennifer Ezeh and 2018 post and West Virginia signee Rochelle Norris have followed him over there from Riverdale. They start the season in the MaxPreps Top 25 at #17.
 
The Rock Creek Christian (MD) program is still in its relative infancy, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t carrying some serious talent. 2019 West Virginia commit Anissa Rivera is long, athletic, and versatile and continues to get better. Syracuse signee Taleah Washington caught Premier Basketball Report team member Jason Key’s eye on multiple occasions over the last couple of seasons. “Sneaky athlete with a quick first step and a tremendous ballhandler; Great passer off the bounce with nice court vision. Shoots the 3 ball off the space and catch and off the bounce – really made her stand out.”
 
Incarnate Word Academy (Mo) is one of the few schools from outside the east coast region. They travel in from Missouri and bring an experienced squad led by excellent coach Dan Rolfes. Senior guard Sonya Morris is headed to DePaul and 2019 recent Purdue commit Rickie Woltman is as tough as they come on the inside. Premier Basketball’s Mark Williams has watched 2018 forward Keyel Britzmann get better over time: “Nice slasher type of game with moderate handles. Her three point shooting has improved. Finds the open player on penetration. Competes and gets on the glass.” (We are hearing she may be out with an ACL, however.)
 
Excellent 2018 guard and Michigan State signee Nia Clouden leads St. Frances (MD). She is a do everything combo type of guard who can score from all three levels and has shown a fearless ability to finish at the rim. She is very fun to watch. 2020 highly recruited Angel Reese will help them inside as a versatile forward/post; this is a big year for her as she has garnered a lot of attention over the last six months. 2020 Delicia Pinnick caught eyes at last year’s event as a poised young player who came in and did what her team needed her to do: defend, take care of the ball, and gets shots within the flow of the offense. Look for her to elevate her role on this year’s team with deserved minutes.
 
Baldwin (NY) is a highly regarded program in both USA Today and MaxPreps initial Top 25 High School rankings. Their roster includes Eastern Michigan signee Jenna Annecchiarico and Old Dominion signee Aziah Hudson. Annecchiarico is a highly respected and confident point guard that makes her teammates better; she is known for her solidly fundamental game and intangibles. Hudson is an aggressive guard that can really score the ball; a very good get for Coach Nikki McCray-Penson’s first early signing class at ODU. 2019 Kaia Harrison also brings firepower to the perimeter game for Baldwin. She had a positive showing at the U16 USA Trials in May and that continued into the summer circuit. Her eyes are always up looking to advance the ball and distribute and she is a pest as a pressure defender.  The word also is that 2018 6’1 forward Destiny Samuel has transferred to Baldwin from Long Island Lutheran to compliment the strength in the backcourt with some size and athleticism inside.
 
   
PLAYERS:
 
2018 Jordan Nixon – Mary Louis Academy (NY) – Notre Dame signee
 
2018 Xaria Wiggins – Princess Anne (VA) – Mississippi State signee
 
2019 Yasmeen Chang – Gulf Coast (FL) – Miami commit
 
2018 Diamond Battles – Winter Haven (FL) – Central Florida signee
 
2018 Chanel Wilson – McEachern (GA) – Indiana signee (*out until January)
 
2018 Zenzele Apasemaka-Vital – Bishop McNamara (MD) – Cincinnati signee
 
2019 Jakia Brown-Turner – Bishop McNamara (MD)
 
2020 Kenaiyah Harris – CH Flowers (MD)
 
2019 Lauren Park-Lane – Sanford (DE)
 
2020 Eniyah Russell – Coppin Academy (MD)
 
2020 Mir McLean – Roland Park (MD)
 
2020 Rain Green – Roland Park (MD)
 
Plus others... and MANY more will stand out and make a name for themselves this weekend!
 
 
USA Today Ranked Teams (initial season rankings):
 
#2 St John’s (DC)
#8 Paul VI (VA)
#13 Miami Country Day (FL)
#14 Rock Creek Christian (MD)
#15 Archbishop Wood (PA)
#16 Incarnate Word (MO)
#17 Neumann-Goretti (PA)
#18 McEarcharn (GA)
#19 Baldwin (NY)
#24 New Hope (MD)
 
 
MaxPreps Ranked Teams (initial season rankings):
 
#3 Riverdale Baptist (MD)
#6 Paul VI (VA)
#8 St. John’s (DC)
#9 Princess Anne (VA)
#10 Incarnate Word (MD)
#16 Baldwin (NY)
#18 New Hope (MD)
#21 Miami Country Day (FL)
 
 
Find complete SHE GOT GAME CLASSIC info:
 
http://www.shegotgameclassic.com
 
Twitter :  @SheGotGame7
 
 
 
 
** Transfers and Injuries: We did our best without complete rosters to verify transfers and injury updates as much as possible. Unfortunately, there seem to be quite a few transfers. Rosters should be turned in and complete by event time.