PHOTOS BY GLENN NELSON
Ryan Green blocks Megan Askew
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Texas Dream Team gets a double snuff |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Monday was the opening of the Basketball on the Bayou tournament, which hosted a great group of teams in the Mardi Gras division. The tournament’s first day was effectively a half day with teams just getting into town, and not everyone had two pool play games.
Mardi Gras Division Teams:
Pool A:
Boo Williams Summer League
GA/Lina 76ers
DFW Elite
Mississippi Lady Tigers
Houston Elite
Minnesota Sugaa Storm
Pool B:
Essence Basketball
The Family
NorCal Elite
Texas Lady Jammers
GA Blazers
Team Ichiban-Watts
Pool C:
West Coast Elite-Black
Georgia Metros
KC Select
Houston Insiders
South Florida Lady Canes
Columbus Blaze
Pool D:
Tennessee Flight-Silver
All Ohio-Black
New Your Gauchos
Alabama Roadrunners-Nike
Texas Dream Team
Georgia Dream Team
Seqcoah Griffin of the Georgia Blazers showed that she is a creative scorer with a host of runners, jumpers and drives to the basket. She was all over the court, diving for loose balls, pressuring the ball and getting after it on both ends of the floor.
Victoria Dunlap of Brentwood Academy showed her athleticism and ability to run the floor with the guards as a post. The Tennessee Flight forward from Nashville, Tenn., can jump out of the gym and cleans up the glass both offensively and defensively. She finishes well on the break and works hard for good post position.
Kendra Berry, a 5-foot-9 guard from Westover High School was scoring well. She showcased her pull-up jumper against the Family, penetrating in to the 10- to 12-feet range and rocketing herself up to pull the trigger. She’s got a strong build and isn’t knocked off the ball by a little contact.
ReShundra Jackson was one of the most impressive guards of the day. The girl they call “LaLa” was the quickest player on the court and broke down anyone thrown her way off the dribble. The 5-5 point guard from Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas, was killing people with great change of pace and change of direction. She made some great passes and created for both her teammates and herself.
Elizabeth Repella showcased her toughness in attacking the basket hard and forcing the opposition to play good help side defense. When they didn’t she got a layup or got fouled. Defensively, she used her length and athleticism to impact the defensive side of the ball.
Stephany Johnson was solid for All Ohio-Black. She’s a strong guard who attacks the hips of the defender to make things happen on offense. She gets offensive rebounds and defends well. The 5-9 guard from Bowsher High School hit some jumpers today too.
Chynna Bozeman did a little of everything on the floor. The 5-9 guard from Mt. De Chantal High School knocked down some deep threes, created shots for her teammates by penetrating, committing the defense and making good passes to open teammates. She hit some jumpers and punished the opposition when they doubled down on Ayana Dunning and Jantel Lavendar.
Destini Hughes from Kennedale High School was a bright spot in a rough game for the Texas Dream Team against All Ohio. She is a great creator and makes things happen off of dribble penetration. She made some of the craziest assists of the day. She jumps to pass a little too much but is an exciting player who makes things happen.
Brooklyn Pope of the DFW Elite and Dunbar High School just may be the best athlete in the 2008 class. Her team runs plays for her that you usually only see guy’s teams run - like baseline back screens for lob passes. She finishes at the rim and is electrifying in the open floor. Defensively, she blocks shots from unsuspecting opponents that don’t think she can cover as much ground and jump as well as she can.
Elizabeth Repella of All Ohio
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Sonja Thompson of the Houston Insiders |
Chris Hansen is the National Director of Scouting for Women's Basketball at HoopGurlz.com and Scout.com. Chris leads the panel that evaluates and ranks girl's basketball prospects nationally for HoopGurlz, Scout.com and Full Court Press (www.FullCourt.com). Chris has been involved in the women’s basketball community since 1998 as a coach, trainer, evaluator and reporter. He can be reached at chansen@scout.com.
Our Complete 2006 Basketball on the Bayou Coverage Menu:
Bayou Watch - July 12
Italee Lucas was on fire for West Coast Elite in the semifinals.
Basketball on the Bayou Photos
Images from Tuesday's play at Basketball on the Bayou in Birmingham, Ala.
Bayou Watch - July 11
Our daily look at the top prospects, including the Georgia Metros, April Sykes and Brooklyn Pope, among others.
Bayou Watch - July 10
Breaking down the players at Basketball on the Bayou in Birmingham, Ala.
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