SHE GOT GAME CLASSIC Write Up

SHE GOT GAME CLASSIC
EVENT REVIEW
 
WHEN: DECEMBER 8 – 10
 
WHERE: GREATER DC METRO AREA
 
WHAT: Showcase style schedule that played some of the
best teams in the country against each other
 
 
By: Shane Laflin
 
Although it’s technically still fall until December 21st, the wintry weather was the story to start this year’s SHE GOT GAME CLASSIC in DC. Snow hit from the southeast through the southwest of the country Thursday evening and that resulted in flight delays that kept us from seeing much action on Friday night.
 
By late Friday night, word got out that expected snowfall starting about 2am would likely delay or even cancel some games on Saturday. Through a flurry of calls from coaches, texts to the event director, tweeted updated information, and plenty of speculation, it was finally determined that the public schools would not be available for Saturday games. The snow did indeed start to fall Saturday morning and we had a light dusting on us before we got to the gym.


 
Event operator AD Fairnot was able to acquire a few replacement sites, move some teams around, and disseminate the updates through email and social media and we were back in business for some games on the #HolidayHoops tour.
 
Capitol Christian Academy became our stop for most of the day Saturday. Teams arrived, College Coaches checked in, and roster books were handed out before Good Counsel (MD) tipped off vs Boyertown (PA). After a focused and quality warm-up, the teams came out ready to compete - quite impressive under the circumstances. It was immediately noticeable that highly regarded 2019 Good Counsel PG Chloe Chapman had improved her jumper. She has always had excellent handles, quickness, and court vision and now the addition of the smoother jumper both off the catch and especially off the bounce make her that much more dangerous. Quality inside play by 2019 Rayne Tucker and significant contributions from Columbia bound Madison Hardy led to the Good Counsel win, 55-38.
 
Saturday’s action had an exciting and noteworthy finish in the game between Long Island Lutheran (NY) vs Princess Anne (VA).
 
Long Island Lutheran held a five point lead over Princess Anne at halftime of their game, 35-30. Princess Anne came out initially guarding in a man-to-man defense and Long Island Lutheran played out of a few sets including some “Horns” actions. They found success moving the ball early and getting open threes and they got on the offensive boards. As they got into the second quarter, they missed the “extra pass” a few times and it stalled their scoring a bit. 2019 PG and Georgia Tech commit Alisha Lewis does a very good job setting the table for her teammates both in the half-court and in transition. She can score it herself very effectively and with weapons starting in the backcourt alongside her like 2019 Texas commit Celeste Taylor and Princeton bound Grace Stone, the perimeter play is fun to watch. Taylor’s full game was on display in the first half as she hit the three ball, mid-range jumpers, and had some swooping, rising finishes at the rim in transition.
 
Long Island Lutheran started the game in a 2-3 zone and it was very effective early on when they could set their defense. They communicated well and rotated effectively. It looked to be a point of emphasis in the game plan as they were very deliberate about sprinting back to identify personnel early on. It seemed to take Princess Anne a while to get a rhythm as they struggled to shoot from the perimeter and missed some bunnies around the rim early. They made a nice adjustment and picked up the pace of the game by changing to an aggressive 2-3 zone where they were able to utilize their length and simplify defensive rotations. Although they lacked perimeter shooting, the defensive tips, stops and steals allowed Princess Anne to get out and attack in transition before Long Island Lutheran could get back as well as they did early. This disrupted the game a bit and things got very competitive from then on.
 
With the increased intensity on the defensive end, Princess Anne fouled a bit more than they would have liked, but nonetheless it helped them eventually swing some momentum their way. They did a great job of settling down at halftime. They came back out with the same defensive intensity, but controlled the fouling and executed better. They played a bit too fast offensively in the first half and it hurt them in the half-court.
 
The start to the third quarter was a different story. Long Island Lutheran let the defense speed them up a bit too much and they began taking quick shots and dribbling the ball more versus the ball pressure instead of moving the ball with the pass that was so effective early for them.
 
In the final :30 of the third quarter, Princess Anne was up 35-30. As they were holding the ball to kill some clock to take the last shot of the quarter, the Princess Anne ballhandler got a bit too casual and Long Island Lutheran got the steal which led to a Celeste Taylor three ball at the buzzer – score now 35-33 – Princess Anne still up, but a feeling of a momentum shift was in the gym heading into the forth quarter. Long Island Lutheran needed a boost as they did not play well in the third quarter and they felt the energy with that swish.
 
Mississippi State bound Xaria Wiggins really stepped it up in the second half. 2019 post Brianna Jackson was effective inside as well. Those two really made a commitment to the glass in the second half and it paid dividends for Princess Anne and allowed them to run more.
 
Give credit to Long Island Lutheran for regaining some poise. They handled the Princess Anne extended pressure and occasional pressing and trapping much better in the fourth quarter.
 
Princess Anne did a great job of fouling less and eating on the glass, and Xaria Wiggins started to get to the paint and the rim more. Celeste Taylor hit multiple threes in the fourth quarter to keep Long Island Lutheran countering the Princess Anne attack. The fourth quarter was back and forth!
 
Fast-forward to the last minute and Alisha Lewis tied the game at the free throw line 44-44 with :56 seconds. After killing some clock and also calling a timeout, it was Princess Anne ball in the half court - sideline out of bounds situation with :33 on the clock. They ate more clock and attacked late… 
 
On the ensuing drive with less than :10 on the clock, a focused and gritty Alisha Lewis came up with the loose rebound with about 3-4 seconds on the clock and pushed the ball quickly past half-court only to calmly sink the 25 foot three ball at the buzzer…
 
Long Island Lutheran won, 47-44.
 
 
By: Jason Key
 
Having seen many of the best teams that Louisiana and Texas have to offer and soon on to the Nike TOC in Phoenix to see many west coast teams, we were excited to get to the east coast to see where those teams stacked up. Due to the prevalence of high-powered private schools, the east coast top teams have much deeper and complete rosters overall. Listed below are a few of the teams that stood out at the She Got Game Classic. Of course, we were not able to see all teams due to the chaos of Saturday’s snow.
 
Riverdale Baptist (MD) – One of the deepest teams in the country. Led by 2018 Honesty Scott-Grayson (Baylor) with 2019 Yanni Hendley , 2020 Elizabeth Martino complementing in the backcourt and the frontcourt trio of 2018 Shakira Austin (Maryland), 2018 Lauren Ebo (Penn State), and 2019 Jayla James, Riverdale Baptist is deep and poised to make a run at the mythical high school national championship. They won a back and forth game in an intense fashion with West Ridge (NC) on Saturday evening. West Ridge’s Madison Moore (UNC-Charlotte signee), Kelly Foster, Jordan Tuff, and Kirsten Deans battled for four quarters vs the traditional power of Riverdale Baptist. A late steal and layup sealed the deal in the final seconds for Riverdale Baptist. Great game!!
 
Paul VI (VA) – 2019 Ashley Owusu (Maryland) is playing as well as I have ever seen her. Add 2018 Amira Collins (Tennessee) in the post and sharp-shooting 2018 Kate Klimkiewicz (Boston College) spreading the floor, Paul VI does a terrific job of putting the ball in the hands of their best players. Paul VI will be a very tough out as the season progresses. Keep an eye on 2020 Aurea Gingras. They got two quality wins: Saturday vs Incarnate Word (MO) and Sunday vs Long Island Lutheran.
 
St. John’s (DC) – 2021 Azzi Fudd is a transcendent talent who plays the game well beyond her years. Considered by many as the top 2021 in the class nationally, Fudd is a must watch for any basketball fan. Joined by 2018 Sydney Wood (Northwestern) in the backcourt and 2019 Malu Tshitenge-Mutombo (Dikembe Mutombo’s niece) down low, St. John’s is well rounded and very well coached.
 
Winter Haven (FL) – 2018 Diamond Battles (Central Florida) runs the show, and is flanked by 2018 Melijah Sullivan (unsigned) and 2019 Zakiyah Franklin on the perimeter and 2018 Tyia Singleton (Rutgers) in the post, Winter Haven went 3-0 and proved to be one of the more complete teams in DC. They played in a very entertaining game Saturday vs St. Frances Academy (MD) with Michigan State signee Nia Clouden and super recruit 2020 Angel Reese. Reese is a most serious player! She has cleaned up her jumper and her release is smooth.. She glides to the rim and is not afraid to mix it up. She is showing signs of a mature young player on the consistent rise. 
 
Bishop McNamara (MD) – Athletic and deep on the perimeter. Led by 2019 Jakia Brown-Turner and 2019 Aliyah Matharu, Bishop McNamara plays fast and furious. They take and make a lot of 3’s to compliment their pressing style.

Long Island Lutheran (NY)  - 2019 Celeste Taylor (Texas) is a dynamic scorer and playmaker, add 2019 Alisha Lewis (Georgia Tech) and you have one of the better backcourts in the country.
 
 
By: Shane Laflin
   
Players and parents:
 
Because much of what we do is in the realm of evaluation from the eye of the standpoint of recruitment to the next level, these next few statements are relevant and written with that in mind. We go to a lot of games. We talk to a lot of college coaches. We are at a lot of games with those college coaches like events from this weekend. We go to the college games or watch them on TV, DVR, or film. We see the players that have early success or translate to the next level much smoother than others. In our conversations with college coaches, we hear (quite a bit, in fact) that those coaches are having to teach basic fundamentals (on both ends of the floor) to their freshman. These coaches do not have a problem with teaching, they are just a bit surprised to find just how much they are finding their players don’t know, but more importantly, don’t value about some basic simple fundamentals that are necessary to be successful at the next level. Un-writing bad habits is hard. So, players, when you are practicing and when you are playing at the high school level, value doing things sharply and fundamentally – and do not allow yourself to get comfortable not doing those things just because you are more talented than the people around you or because your coach doesn’t fuss at you to do it correctly all of the time. It’s called a standard, and if you don’t meet that standard, you simply will not see the floor as a freshman in college. Some examples:
 
1) Passing
Sounds simple, right? But a pass is delivered to a teammate to put them in position to be successful, not just in hopes they catch it or you threw it to them because you’ve killed your dribble. There are very few really good passers out there… Show me a quality passer and I’ll show you a player that values possessions and that I can teach multiple offensive and defensive systems. There are many different forms of passing… Practice them! Value them! Utilize them!
 
2) Defensive Stance
This is so simple, yet players refuse to stay in a stance. You are more reactive and are more able to make plays in a ready and active defensive stance. Yet, so many of you take plays off on the defensive end. You are without the ball the majority of the game – and you are not guarding the ball the majority of the time you are on defense. Do not tell me you are a player if you are not engaged in the 90% of the time you do not have the ball or are not guarding the ball. Think about that… Are you engaged off the ball? Stance leads to awareness, which leads to playmaking. Make your life easier!
   
3) The Decision to Shoot the Pull-Up/Floater/Runner
It’s one thing to go in and draw contact and it’s another to barrel over an opponent who has rotated to take a charge. Many are trying to use the “euro-step” to go through people, and it’s not working. Add some pull up to your game, or if there isn’t enough time for the pull up jumper, work on the footwork to get on two feet for the balanced floater, or learn how to avoid contact with a runner (use either hand/either foot)… It will save you some offensive fouls! You all are too good off the bounce to be limited to finishes all the way the rim to score the ball.
   
The SHE GOT GAME CLASSIC continues to be a marquis event every season. With the quality of players, teams, and coaches -- the College Coaches, National Evaluators, and basketball fans come to the DC area in droves. Although the weather made this year imperfect, the adjustments salvaged the event very well and some really competitive quality basketball was on display.
 
We will be back at this stop next year on the #HolidayHoops tour to find more #PremierCertified players and teams.
 
 
Unsigned Seniors
 
Melijah Sullivan (Winter Haven) – UNSIGNED SR ;  guard/wing
 
Destiny Samuel (Baldwin) – UNSIGNED SR ; small forward
 
Aasiya Berry (Miami Country Day) – UNSIGNED SR ; Post
 
Kelly Foster (West Ridge) – UNSIGNED SR ; wing/small forward
 
 
Outstanding Seniors
 
Shakira Austin (Riverdale Baptist) – Maryland signee; major difference maker as we all know.. Most impressed with her ability to get down in a stance and keep high level guards in from of her.. Has a great high release that serves her well. Competes and stays poised at all times!
 
Honesty Scott-Grayson (Riverdale Baptist) – Baylor signee; just has another competitive gear when the game needs it. Goes hard to the rim.. Rebounds well for a guard.. Will matchup with the opponent best player to get the job done and compete
 
Emily Engstler (St Frances – NY) – Syracuse signee; one of those coveted positionless players.. Just has an incredible feel for the game.. Her makes are so crisp and they make the net sing.. Good passer, great vision.. All around hooper!
 
Lauren Ebo (Riverdale Baptist) – Penn State signee; space eater with very soft hands and finds ways to score the ball in and around the paint.. competes, rebounds, not afraid of the dirty work
 
Amira Collins (Paul VI) – Tennessee signee; battles! Has an incredible motor.. Has shown improvement all along the way during her HS career.. She can stretch the D and hit the 3 ball and will bang in the paint.. Truly competes! Great player.
 
Kate Klimkiewicz (Paul VI) – Boston College signee; big guard/wing and a shooter; is the glue for her team and makes the blue collar plays that really make them go

Xaria Wiggins (Princess Anne) – Mississippi State signee; wing player that can really be  difference maker on the defensive end and on the glass; she is an agile slasher and it is hard to keep her out of the paint
 
Nia Clouden (St Frances Academy) – Michigan State signee; calm scoring guard that is poised and under control at all times.. handle helps her keep the defense at bay as she sets up scoring opportunities for her or teammates
 
Madison Moore (West Ridge Academy) – UNC-Charlotte signee; forward with a nice set of versatile skills that allows her to create matchup problems for opponents.. gets on the glass, can put it on the floor, and can hit the mid-range J with ease
 
Diamond Battles (Winter Haven) – Central Florida signee; athletic guard with good baseline to baseline speed in transition. Changes pace well. Solid defensive player.. Elevates well on her pull up jumper… can score the ball
 
 
 
2019
 
Chloe Chapman (Good Counsel)
 
Rayne Tucker (Good Counsel)
 
Brianna Jackson (Princess Anne)
 
Celeste Taylor (LI Lutheran) – Texas commit
 
Alisha Lewis (LI Lutheran) – Georgia Tech commit
 
Aliyah Matharu (Bishop McNamara)
 
Jakia Brown-Turner (Bishop McNamara)
 
Yasmeen Chang (Gulf Coast) – Miami commit
 
Rickie Woltman (Incarnate Word) -- Purdue commit
 
Marisa Warren (Incarnate Word)
 
Koi Love (Miami Country Day)
 
Ashley Owusu (Paul VI) – Maryland commit
 
Diamone McLean (St Frances – NY)
 
Jordan Tuff (West Ridge)
 
Kirsten Deans (West Ridge)
 
Zakiyah Franklin (Winter Haven)
 
Malu Tshitenge (St. John’s College HS)
 
Kaia Harrison (Baldwin)
 
Anissa Rivera (Rock Creek Christian) -- West Virginia commit
 
 
 
 
2020
 
Madison Scott (Bishop McNamara)
 
Hope Evans (Bishop McNamara)
 
Mackenzie Daleba (Cathedral)
 
Aicha Caulibaly (New Hope)
 
Mariam Traor (New Hope)
 
Aurea Gingras (Paul VI)
 
Elizabeth Martino (Riverdale Baptist)
 
Angel Reese (St Frances – MD)
 
MacKayla Scarlett (St Frances – NY)
 
JeAnna Cunningham (St Frances – NY)
 
Mir McClean (Roland Park)
 
Rain Green (Roland Park)
 
 
 
2021
 
Aziah James (Princess Anne)
 
Azzi Fudd (St. John’s College HS)
 
 
*** There are many unsigned 2018’s from the Canadian teams and the Australian team that participated.
 
College Coaches: Get in touch with our own #WorldWideHoops Mark Williams for information. They can play!