adidas Gauntlet - Indianapolis

Gauntlet – Indianapolis

The inaugural Adidas Gauntlet series kicked off Saturday April 16 ^th- Sunday April 17 ^th, 2016. Half of the teams began series play in Phoenix, Arizona with the other half of the beginning play in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Western PA Bruins – Cash came out of the gates hitting on all cylinders. Leading WPBC to a 4-0 record was do-it-all wing 2017 Michaela Porter. Porter can do it all from handling the ball thru pressure and finding teammates to attacking the rim and finishing thru contact to hitting the three off the catch or dribble. Porter is a strong, physical and aggressive on-ball defender who can defend multiple positions. Complementing Porter was 2017 pg Amanda Kalin. Kalin’s ability to handle the ball and get her teammates open looks on a consistent basis was the key ingredient to WPBC’s offensive success. Kalin complemented her excellent vision with gritty defense against some very good guard competition. With 2017’s Kiara Wade and Johnasia Cash leading the frontcourt, WPBC has the balance to compete for the first ever Adidas Gauntlet championship in July.

Germantown Lady Panthers Elite went 4-0 in their bracket and served notice to all Adidas Gauntlet teams that they will be a contender to be reckoned with come July. GLPE were led by 2017 post Cara Judkins. Her ability to knock down the mid range jumper at 6’3” gave opposing post defenders headaches throughout the weekend. Judkins complements her shot with a terrific set of hands that she uses to finish from a variety of positions around the basket. Judkins did a very good job of clogging the lane and finishing defensive possessions with rebounds leading GLPE to transition opportunities.  Complementing Judkins was 2017 forward Victoria Crawford. Crawford is a good athlete with a nice touch from the mid post who also finishes well around the bucket. Crawford’s ability to rebound on both ends of the floor led to many easy looks for teammates. 2017 point guard Indeya Sanders ability to handle the ball under pressure and sharp shooting 2018 Madison Hardy ability to hit timely shots will be key for the GLPE’s run toward a Gauntlet championship.

Texas Elite 17u GATA played four close games winning by an average of 6.5 points. Going 4-0 in closely contested games shows that TEG has the poise and toughness to make a deep run in July. TEG is led by 2018 wing Jhakya Dilworth. Dilworth is an emerging prospect with a complete offensive game. Dilworth uses her athleticism and ball handling skills to get to rim and finish thru contact. Dilworth is a very good 3-point shooter who can get red hot and hit multiple threes in a very short period of time. The point guard duo of 2017 Taylor Green and 2018 Diamond Atchison did a great job of taking care of the ball, hitting timely shots, and playing on-ball, man-to-man pressure defense. The point guard duo gives TEG a true edge whether playing together or giving each other a break with no fall off at the position. 2017 Alex Nance was excellent in playing in the passing lanes and creating transition opportunities. I have nicknamed Nance “The Texas Tornado” for her whirling dervish style of play. Nance’s all out energy and playmaking ability is awesome to watch. 2017 Kandyce Shepard and 2018 Mia Heide’s ability to defend and add scoring punch in the post will be the key to how deep of a run TEG is able to make in July.

Texas Elite 16u Holcombe showed that they will be a team to be reckoned with come July. TEH went 4-0 and dominated opponents winning every game by double digits and having only one opponent come within 15 points of them. TEH is led by 2018 pg Amber Bacon. Bacon’s ability to create her own shot as well as for others with relentless penetration is what makes this team go. Bacon combines her offensive ability with relentless on-ball pressure. Sharp shooting 2018 Sydney Hardeman complements Bacon by being in ready to shoot mode at all times. Hardeman’s shooting ability and continued aggressiveness helps spread the floor for her teammates. 2018 Rylee Lavender’s grit, combined with her terrific and timely shooting from multiple positions were key in TEH’s success. Emerging 2018 guard prospect Kyla Moutry continuously found open teammates. Moutry was also terrific defensively in playing the passing lanes and creating transition opportunities. 2018 elite post prospect Uchenna Nwoke and 2018 rugged rebounding forward Lauryn Thompson gave TEH a true post presence on both ends of the floor. Rounding out this very complete young team was versatile defensive wiz 2018 Diamond Willcot. Willcot’s ability to defend and finish in transition is a perfect complement to this team.

Many other players caught my eye during this opening tournament including 2017’s Mia Davis, Jeydah Johnson  and Jatarrikah Settle (MD Lady Shooting Stars Mack 16u), 2019 Asonah Alexander (PlayHerz Basketball Club 17U), 2018 Dasmine Kasey and 2017 Armani Franklin ( Team Loaded), 2017’s Tayla Stuttley and Sydney Cocking (WI Flight Elite 11^th Adidas), 2018 Ka’ierra Reed (Lady’s 1^st Green), 2018 Myriah Noodle-Haywood, 2019 Tajah Foster-Walker, 2018 Mallory Meeks, and 2019 Aijha Blackwell (Team St. Louis Red), 2019 Akunna Konkwo (17u J. Harris P.S.P.A. Rams), 2018’s Amani Free, Danielle Rauch, and 2017 Claire Wanzer (I-90 Elite u17 Gauntlet), 2017 Kaylee Wasco (Michigan Storm -  Gauntlet Love), 2017’s Jaylin Powell and Tariah Johnson (Carolina All-Stars 2017), 2017 Ashley Starzyk (Hudson Valley Elite Blue Reilly), 2018 Keya Patton (Indiana Team Pride Gorman 2017), 2017 Jaelencia Williams (Indiana Elite Team Indiana), 2017 Shannon Devitt (New Jersey Panthers 16u Gold), 2017 Janna Lewis (Louisville Legends Elite), 2018 Mikayla Ivy (Grand Rapids Storm), 2017 Marceline Augustine (Cardinal Crusaders), 2019 Jessica Nunge (Indiana Elite SWISH), 2017 Rochelle Lee (Lady Magic 17u), 2018’s Erin Howard and Chloe Marotta (WI Flight Elite 10^th Adidas).