The Boo Williams Sportsplex has eight courts, but with so many teams, many games still had to be played at separate gyms at a good 20 sites scattered throughout Hampton, Virginia (location of the “Boo Plex,” as the main site is known) and nearby Newport News.
There are a lot of good games, and assuming you are not related to a player in the field (due to NCAA recruiting restrictions), you can also get a chance to talk (briefly, as they are busy) with a number of the top college coaches and their assistants. If you’re a fan of women’s basketball, consider attending this event next year. It is special.
The Georgia Ice – A Hotbed of Young Talent
One of the most talented young club teams in the USA turned out to be playing in the championship game of the 14-and-Under Bay Division of this year’s event. The Georgia Ice won the 12 year-old age group of the AAU National Championships last year, and their primary goal for this summer is to repeat at the 13-year-old championships in Ohio this summer.
They appear to be well on their way. For a team to win any section of the Boo Williams event is a great accomplishment. What Georgia Ice did was even more impressive in that they were basically playing up a year. Their team is geared for 13-U activity and they conquered a 14-U field, overcoming the greater experience and physical maturity of their opponents. Look for this team to be a force in club ball for the next few years.
What makes the Ice unique is the gene pool of its players. It is not uncommon to find the daughter of a current or former pro athlete playing youth basketball. It is unusual, however, to find a team-full of such athletic legacies. The Ice may well have a shot at the all-time record: By my count, relations include three NBA, two MLB, one college football, and one women’s basketball pros.
Of course, one can be given the genes necessary for athletic success but the player must still have the passion to improve to fulfill that potential. These young ladies seem headed in that direction!
Scouting the Ice
Here is a look at the key Georgia Ice players (in alphabetical order). All are class of 2013 unless otherwise noted:
Alexis Brown (5-7, G, Dr. Phillips HS, FL): Medium build with good basketball IQ to run offense and still play good defense; nice form on stroke; possible D-I major with continued maturation. Father is former NBA player Dee Brown.
MacKenzie Darrah (6-2, F, Buford HS, GA): Medium build with broad shoulders; knows how to move without the ball; needs to get significantly stronger; likely at least mid-D-1 with majors possible with expected maturation; game appears headed to be similar to that of sister, former Georgia player (and current pro playing in Spain) Megan Darrah, a tall wing player. Father Tom Darrah, a long time Atlanta-area coach, is Ice assistant coach.
Kaela Davis (6-2, G/F, Norcross HS, GA): Medium-solid build with wide shoulders, has high level of basketball understanding and above-average ball handling ability; able to work her way to the basket and finish; shooting range needs to improve if the one viewing was indicative; likely one of the top 2013 class members. Father, former NBA player Antonio Davis, coaches the team.
Diamond DeShields (6-2, F/G, Norcross HS, GA): Medium build with great jumping ability; can shoot over opponents or take ball to the basket; likely one of the top 2013 class members. Father is former Major League Baseball player Delino DeShields.
Taryn Griffey (5-3, G, 2014, Bridgewater Middle School, Winter Garden, FL): Thin build with quickness; a grade younger than rest of team; has ability to run an offense and is willing to play defense; likely to get Division-1 looks with level based on further physical development and maturation of game. Father is Major League Baseball player Ken Griffey, Jr.
Brianna Lakes (5-11, F, Woodstock HS, GA): Muscularly built power player who plays primarily in the paint; body still maturing but likely some level of D-1 prospect down the road.
Kristina Nelson (6-3, C, Greater Atlanta Christian School, GA): Strong build, suited to play in the low post; able to shoot the ball with either hand around the goal; likely a high D-1 major prospect. Father Herb Nelson played football as a lineman at Grambling.
Peyton Whitted (6-2, F, Greater Atlanta Christian, GA): Medium build; front court player; has not fully grown into her body so not easy to fully evaluate. Father is former NBA player Kevin Whitted.
(Note: High schools listed above were drawn from the submitted rosters at the tournament. Eighth graders have not yet entered these high schools (except in rare cases of six-year high schools), so school choices may change before fall matriculation. Assuming the roster to be correct, however, look for Norcross (GA) High School to be a prep power over the next few years.)