The PRIME event : RECAP

This past weekend the girls’ basketball community allowed us to host the inaugural version of  The PRIME event. The motivation behind this event was simple: Bring a collection of really good teams together from across the shoe circuits and independent programs and play through a highly competitive bracket with the idea being to  compete for a “best team” status on the court vs the hypothesis and opinion that follows each club season. There was not a poor matchup played all weekend. Each program brought star power and intriguing individual matchups as well as stylistic differences. These programs are some of the best in the country and deserved this platform to display their performances, and they did not disappoint. 
 
We had a 16-Team Bracket in the 17U Division with the following teams:
 
All In Athletics
Angels Basketball Club
Banshees
Bay State Jags
BounceNation FBC 2020
Cy Fair Premier
DFW Elite
FBC United Hunt
Lady Drive Nation
OK Swarm
Pro Skills 
SA Finest
Texas Elite
Texas U
Uplay/Sister’s Keeper
Wisconsin Flight Elite
 
We did a “Showcase Style” 4 Game Schedule for the 16U participating teams:
 
BounceNation FBC 2023
Elevate Elite Gold
FBC United Youngunz
KS Untied Soyez 2022
Lady Drive Nation 16U
NM Elite 2022
OK Swarm 16U
OK Lady Trotters
Pro Skills 16U
Shock 2021 – Diaz
Shock 2022 – Diaz
Team Lex Gold
Team Lex Nation
Team Louisiana 2023
 
 
We want to thank the media, scouting services, photographers, and videographers for their attendance and attention during The PRIME event. The content that they created  real time was amazing and they have been hard at work since the event ended creating more creative content and taking things to a new level. We can’t wait to see it all. You will see appropriate photo credit below, as they were gracious enough to share their content with us. 
 
Last, but far from least, we want to thank every program, coach, player, parent and supporter of these TEAMS for participating in this event. Without the trust, communication, commitment, thorough planning, and execution of each one of these programs, this event would not have been possible. They are responsible for the success of Year 1 of The PRIME event and have given us a springboard into Year 2. We cannot express enough gratitude to you all for the success of this event. This is ultimately for you all, and we appreciate every ounce of effort. 
 
The nightly gatherings of coaches were a lot of fun as well as the basketball conversations and networking that went on in the gym. When you bring good people together, great things happen. When you bring good  basketball people together, lasting memories are made. 
   
After all, this is about THE Game. The unity of all of it’s people is unique and unlike any other. Let’s continue to do that same thing year in and year out. That’s how the game grows. 
 
Enough with the words, let’s get to the images of the weekend.  Brittany Graham (ItsByBritt / Twitter: @brittxgraham / IG: @itsbybritt ) and  Jineen Williams (DAH Media / Twitter: @_TheRealJayWill / IG: _therealjaywill) work really hard and produce dope content. Below are some of the images that really captured the weekend. Enjoy and go follow them! Better yet, get them to one of your events ... but not so fast, we got next!! 


The first ever Champions of The PRIME event: FBC United Hunt
 
No "hand down, man down here". Defensively, it is a must to challenge shots. Madison Hayes is doing her job.                Photo Cred: Brittany Graham                                                            


This is competing. Top 2021's AJ Marotte (15) and Jersey Wolfenbarger. This effort and focus translates!                         Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


The scouting report says "get a hand up!" whether you're a guard or post.                                                                               Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


Eyes and follow through. No better illustration. This is a SHOOTER.                                                                                         Photo Cred: Brittany Graham

3 is an appropriate number for Kylee Sheppard of the Cinci Angels. She can shoot it!                                                               Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


Saturday night, Genesis Bryant went 9-10 from 3pt range and scored 49! The current record for The PRIME event.      Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


Paige Bradley is directing the sideline out of bounds play, but she's thinking about her next pretty jumper!                      Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


Top 25 2022 Carleigh Wenzel has a quick trigger and knows how to hunt shots. Vital!                                                              Photo Cred: Jineen Williams

Jaelyn Bates has spent hours in the gym and it shows.                                                                                                                Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


Iowa State bound Top 25 2020 Lexi Donarski is a SHOOTER, SCORER ... you name it. She can flat put the ball in the hole Photo Cred: Brittany Graham Top of the class 2023 Baylor commit Sammie Wagner vs Top 50 2020 Taylen Collins.                                                            Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


2022 Top 25 Carleigh Wenzel rotates to challenge Top 50 2020 Taylen Collins.                                                                   Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


We have seen the matchup of Top 100 2021 AJ Marotte and Top 25 2020 Sasha Goforth on all stages, HS and Club.      Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


Two of the best PG's in 2020: Top 100 Arkansas bound Rylee Langerman (2) and Top 25 2020 Sarah Andrews.                 Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


 What. A. Matchup. Top 25 2021 Rori Harmon (left) vs Top 25 2020 Lexi Donarski. Do you want fries with that?               Photo Cred: Jineen Williams

There is NO argument. Kamilla Cardoso is the #1post player in 2020. She is the #1 overall player in the PBR 2020 class.  Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


How about this matchup? 2021 Top 50 Jada Malone (left) vs 2021 Top 100 Chloe Dallas.                                                    Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


Want a Division 1 matchup for your Saturday night? Arizona State bound Top 100 Katelyn Levings (left) vs Baylor bound Top 25 Hannah Gusters. Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


More of a forward than a post, Top 50 2022 Alexia Mobley had a fantastic spring and summer.                                         Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


The frame has no more room for pure ATHLETICISM. Top 100 2021 guard/wing Kionna Gaines (left) and Top 100 2022 Christeen Iwuala.                                    Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


Top 50 2021 Jada Malone gets to the free throw line to punish opponents for trying to get physical.                                 Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


It is hard to stop a post player with silky smooth touch from the FT line. A major separator..                                            Photo Cred: Jineen Williams

Wisconsin Flight Elite's 2020 Caroline Strange.                                                                                                                              Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


2020 Top 25 Lexi Donarski.                                                                                                                                                     Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


2020 Jade Thompson drives it hard to the cup.                                                                                                                      Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


Top 100 2020 Genesis Bryant looking like "the logo".                                                                                 Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


Top 100 Arkansas bound Rylee Langerman.                                                                                                                             Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


2020 Myra Gordon of Pro Skills.                                                                                                                                                     Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


Top 100 2020 Halle Douglass is one of the most versatile players in the class.                                             Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


Top 25 2020 Sasha Goforth shoots it, drives it, and D's up.                                                                                                         Photo Cred: Brittany Graham



2021Top 25 Laila Phelia had a huge stock rising type of summer.                                                                                         Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


Who is the top PG in the 2021 class? Raven Johnson stakes a major claim.                                                                               Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


There are not many tougher than 2021 Kelbie Washington.                                                                                                         Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


Raven Johnson says, "Wait, who is going to guard me?" She plays chess on the basketball court.                                       Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


Top 25 2022 KK Bransford is, as Jason Key would say, MOST SERIOUS.                                                                     Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


Top 25 2021 Rori Harmon is the total package.                                                                                                                                 Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


Find a better culture than SA Finest. Here we see Christeen Iwuala and Carleigh Wenzel showing love to their teammates.Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


2021 Sharpshooter Jordan Hobbs is locked in to the whiteboard during an Angels TO.                                                    Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


Shoutout to Canada for making the trip to Dallas. They rep the North wherever they go!!                                                    Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


Lady Drive Nation is all smiles as their future is bright on the EYBL circuit.                                                                Photo Cred: Brittany Graham

WI Flight Coaches Dave Donarski and Nic Levy make adjustments at halftime vs Cy Fair Premier.                                    Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


Ray Caldwell teaches the finer points to his players.                                                                                                                  Photo Cred: Brittany Graham














Coach Alfred Motton (Coach Mo) of FBC holds court during a pre-event practice at the Fieldhouse USA in Mansfield. This was minutes after a shooting contest between their United Hunt team and their Youngunz team broke out and had the whole gym watching. 


Earl Rooks of Pro Skills directs his squad from the sidelines.                                                             Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


Elevate Elite Coach Bruno Corras directs his players during a Friday practice session.                                                     Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


Sasha Palmer of FBC gives the finer details in practice on Friday. Straight from 20 years at the college level to the club scene - valuable!
Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


Coach Jay Moore of BounceNation FBC holds his teams to the highest standard of effort and competition.                     Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


Coach Cary Noble of Texas Elite consults with his longtime mentee, AJ Marotte. Does anyone bring more positive energy to the sidelines?                                                              Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


Coach Ruben Diaz of OK Shock talks strategy with 2022 Maggie Sockey.                                                                     Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


Matt Truding has a well oiled machine in his All In program. Look at the attentiveness of his player here.                           Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


Nic Levy takes to the whiteboard to draw up a quick look for his team late in the game.                                                Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


Coach Handel Kipp of Uplay/Sisters Keeper works with his team during a practice session on Friday.                               Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


Rich Anderson talks to 2020 SMU bound Jayla Brooks and 2020 Tulane bound Jerkaila Jordan.                          Photo Cred: Brittany Graham

Straight out of the SLAM Game weekend in NYC, Treasure Hunt is as cool as it gets in warmups.                                   Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


In all white, but do not let the angelic color fools you.. Once the ball is tipped, Madison Hayes is cut-throat!                  Photo Cred: Jineen Williams


KS United Soyez 2022 shares a special moment before their game. What a TEAM moment!                                           Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


Shayeann Day-Wilson is hardly home (during the club circuit) but always reppin!!                                                        Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


They are loose before the game before Mo let's them loose on their opponents.                                                                   Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


All smiles from Lexi Donarski in between giving opponents buckets.                                                                                        Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


Who doesn't love to see players dive on the floor for a loose ball? Angels Coach Dante Harlan looks like he might too!     Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


Louisville bound Olivia Cochran celebrates a great finish during the final vs the Banshees.                                                 Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


You think 2022 Maycee James agreed with the call? Let's ask Top 25 2022 Zyanna Walker. Great pic!                  Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


Top 25 2022 Shay Bollin and teammate 2020 Yale bound Brenna McDonald share a moment.                                      Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


That's my ball! No, that's my ball!! Think they wanted it badly?                                                                                                     Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


It's all love and war during FBC practices. Kamilla Cardoso came straight from Brazil for The PRIME event.                    Photo Cred: Brittany Graham                                                                                        



Roc Smith and his wife Dawn have been part of the Premier Basketball Family for years. They are the best!                     Photo Cred: Jineen Williams



[From left] Joe Wootten (Bishop O'Connell MBB Head Coach and McDonald's All American Committee Co-Chairman), Terri Lynn Wootten (McDonald's All American Nomination and Selection Committee), and Shane Laflin (Premier Basketball).                                          Photo Cred: Brittany Graham


[From left] Mark Williams (Premier Basketball), Terri Lynn Wootten, Joe Wootten, Joey Simmons (Premier Basketball), Shane Laflin, Jason Key (Premier Basketball). We want to thank Joe and Terri Lynn for attending The PRIME event.