Spalding (Griffin, GA) 66-56 Southwest Atlanta Christian
Too many frontline Spalding players to counter Baylor signee Mariah Chandler! Most impressive of the group for Spalding was 6-4 sophomore Elem Ibiam who will go high D1 as she finishes well in traffic (14 points today). Chandler (6-1 power forward but not 100% wearing a knee brace) had 27 but little help.
JL Mann (Greenville, SC) 84-57 Campbell (Smyrna, GA)
Campbell (coming in 14-1) was the favorite but was brought down by a 57-point first half barrage by Mann (coming in 10-4). Camille Glymph (5-10 junior 2G) led Mann with 27 including seven 3’s. Glymph needs to bulk up a bit but can penetrate as well as shoot over the opposition. Her D needs much improvement. Look for her to get low major looks. Britney Holliday (5-6 sophomore 2G) penetrated to the tune of 16 points and should get D1 looks as well. Most impressive for Campbell was 6-0 sophomore 4F Brittany Hodges (likely at least a mid-D1 prospect) who totaled 15 points. The Campbell guards, usually their strength (as shown in last December’s showcase event) were just outdone during this contest.
Southwest DeKalb (Decatur, GA) 70-48 Duluth (GA)
In what was supposed to be one of the best games of the day, DeKalb’s better perimeter broke open a narrow 26-25 halftime lead. Duluth has three 6-1 signed seniors (Mykala Walker – Wake Forest; Daphne Adebayo – VCU; Alexandria Phillips - Mercer) but only Phillips reached double figures with 11 points. Speedy Dekalb 5-6 junior guard Alondra Rivers tallied 18 while junior 5-8 wing Chancie Dunn scored 16. Both should get modest D1 looks. Kayla Lewis (5-11 junior 3F) was most impressive running the court, driving and pulling up, even hitting one 3. Look for her in the high majors after her senior year.
Combining athleticism and discipline, Southwest DeKalb was the most impressive team in the showcase.
Wesleyan (Norcross, GA) 77-50 Milton (Alpharetta, GA)
For some reason, Wesleyan asked to play Milton, expecting a competitive game from a team coming in 12-2. However, the contest was never in doubt after a few minutes and a nine-point gap at half. Senior 4F 6-3 Anne Marie Armstrong (19 points but also active on defense and passing well [4 assists]) showed that she should help Georgia next season. This game was over early but 5-10 junior 3F Kris King tried to keep Milton in the game scoring 21 with impressive driving from this solidly built small forward. Look for possible major offers for her. Based on height and solid frame, lefty center Tori Waldner (6-5 sophomore) should get some major looks down the road but she is currently more prospect than player as shown by her spotty 6 point production. Wesleyan’s 5-9 junior bomber Erin Hall was left far too open much of the game scoring 20 points including three 3’s. Hall likely will get D1 looks but is not athletic and primarily a spot-up shooter from distance.
Parkview (Lilburn, GA) 49-33 Bishop McGuinness (Winston-Salem, NC)
This was an instructive match-up of a team with more talent being outdone by a better-coached, more intense squad. McGuinness starts Erinn Thompson (6-3 C/F senior committed to VA) and Whitney Knight (6-2 sophomore 3F likely a high major down the road). Thompson continues to be “guilty of moving well without purpose” scoring only 8 versus a much smaller front line. Knight (who has major talent written all over her if only she decides to use it) repeatedly settles for long 3-balls, rarely attacking the basket. On defense, she tends to stand around too much, also finished with 8 points against pesky Parkview. Sophomore 5-11 Megan Buckland plays the point (really a 2G?). Reportedly, she has received high major D1 interest due to her ability to drive and hit open shots. On this date, she was but 4/19 [8 points] not looking enough for teammates.
Parkview came into the game 15-0 and it was pretty obvious why. Often, not one but two of their players were on the floor going after loose balls. On defense, they played a “sticky man” while on offense they moved well off the ball. Talent was limited as only Lauren Coleman (6-0 junior combo guard) is a likely major. Not a true lead guard, she can shoot the 3, passes and moves well (finished with 13 points). The only other D1 talent appeared to be Katie Carroll (5-7 sophomore 2G) who likes to spot up for 3’s (17 points). By playing smarter and harder, Parkview turned a 22-20 halftime deficit into a comfortable win using a delay offense to snuff out any chance of a fourth quarter comeback.
Greater Atlanta Christian (Norcross, GA) 61-56 Providence Day (Charlotte, NC)
The host team (coming in 9-6) played a spirited contest upsetting the 12-1 visitors in front of few fans as most coaches had cleared on by the nightcap and few locals were there to see one of the best games of the day. GAC jumped off to a 34-25 halftime lead and was able to hold off their opposition down the stretch. Star of the game was 5-8 junior guard Chaney Means, who scored 25 and played inside and out. In scouting reports, Means will likely be described neither as quick nor fast nor well-built. In an era where coaches recruit body type as much as game, Means is likely to be past over by most D1 schools. Somebody will get lucky and reluctantly take this kid. She may not be big time but deserves a D1 offer as she gets the most out of her body and is well skilled. Somewhat more athletic 5-7 junior guard Clarke Boards may also get D1 looks but needs to improve her shot (14 points today). If there is just one reason Providence lost, it could be that freshman driving sensation Tiffany Mitchell (10 points) didn’t get going until the second half where she showed the ability to go by multiple defenders off the bounce and finish at the rim. This often happens to very young players on a team dominated by older teammates as she views them as “owning” the team. Mitchell needs to work on building range but likely has a major D1 future down the road. Team star Janee’ Johnson showed reason why Duke signed the 6-1 power (in the truest sense) forward. Finishing with 17 points, she may need to tone up a bit but was overall impressive scoring primarily in the paint.
The Big Question
Class of 2013 sensation (that’s current 8th grade) Kayla Davis (6-1 F, considered to be at the top of that class in the very early going) was spotted in the gym as was her father, former NBA player Antonio Davis. Adorned in a Tennessee warm-up outfit, the smart money says the race is already very close to over as to her college choice. However, the current GAC student (unable to play high school hoops by Georgia rules although attending the school) has not announced whether she will remain at GAC for high school or go elsewhere. Davis family: please let the world know your decision before April 1 so that Kayla’s high school can be invited to events next fall!