Wayne, MI: The LBI Summer Sizzler came to a close on Tuesday.  Day 3 featured more marquee matchups between some of the nation’s finest talent.  Elite teams and individuals rose to the surface to make it clear that they belong in the “Best in the Nation” conversation.  Highly ranked players like Kierstan Bell, Rickea Jackson, Whitney Sollom and young upstart 2022 phenom Camille Jackson all played up to their billing.  Their presence upped the level of play for the entire field at this year’s Sizzler.  I was especially impressed with the younger players and teams who gave us all something to look forward to.  This tournament provided proof that the girl’s game is advancing to new levels every year.  I can’t wait to see what next year’s event will bring.  Based on what we saw this year I have no doubt that it will be even bigger and better.

Top Performers:

Rileigh Garbarz 2021 SF  TC Elite  
Rileigh got TC Elite off to a good start early in the game.  She was in the zone.  Everything she threw up seemed to go in.  In transition she ran ahead of the pack for some easy scores.  When the Drive were able to get back on defense she made a number of highly contested shots from the perimeter.  Garbarz carried her team to a 5-point halftime lead with 17 first half points.  The 8th grader finished with a game high 20 points in a loss to the West Michigan Drive. 

Ruby Whitehorn 2022 PG Michigan Crossover 14
Ruby played an excellent all-around game for the Crossover against the WPA Bruins.  I noticed her setting up her bigs with some nice dimes for layups and she also scored when the opportunity was there.   She ran the point for a well-balanced attack and also contributed a game high 12 points. 

Jadyn Smith  2020  SG  Factory Basketball 2019/20 Orange
In the first game of the day Factory Basketball got off to a bad start.  They were down big early as they only managed to score 10 first half points.  Jadyn woke up in the second half and tried to carry her team to the win.  She scored 19 second half points and finished with 21 for the game in a 48-42 loss to the Grand Rapids Storm. 

McKenna Walker  2018  SG  Michigan Select
McKenna has solidified herself as one of the best shooters in the 2018 class.  It is common for her to drop bombs from 3-point range.  Against the Toledo Thunder it was just another day at the office as she recorded five (5) 3-pointers on her way to 19 points in a 50-36 win.

Jolee Houle 2020 PG  Grand Rapids Storm
In a day where shooters starred, Jolee shined the brightest.  She put on a phenomenal shooting exhibition against TC Elite.  In the first half alone she registered four (4) from beyond the arc.  The defense tried to take the three away in the second half so Houle decided to get to the basket.  She still managed to net two (2) more 3-pointers in the second half for a tournament high six (6) for the game.  The Storm were able to pull out the 47-41 victory as Jolee went 6-6 from the line in the second half.  She finished with a game high 27 points.

Sha’Kyia Parker  2019 SG  West Michigan Drive 2019
Parker finished the tournament the way she started, on a scoring rampage. The tournament’s leading scorer, Sha’Kyia buried five (5) 3-pointers in two separate wins during the Sizzler.  Scoring is her specialty and she did so in a variety of ways.  Besides shooting the three she scored in bunches on the break.  In the half court she moved well without the ball and always had her hands ready to catch and shoot.  In the Drive’s final game against the Toledo Thunder she led the way with 24 points.  Stay tuned to this up and coming scoring sensation.

Whitney Sollom 2020  F/C  Michigan Mystics Ruh
Sollom is a walking double/double machine.  She dominated the paint and offensive glass in a lopsided win over Top Ten.  Whitney’s post up game was hard to defend.  She cut hard to the block and posted up strong.  Once she got it in there she made layups from difficult angles and made it look easy. Where she catches it doesn’t matter, just put it in the book. When the double team came she made the interior pass for a layup.  She was even spotted leading the break a few times.   

Ariel Jenkins 2020 PF Michigan Crossover 17U EYBL
The youngest player on a team loaded with talent, Ariel is quite an asset.  In a big win over 77 South Elite she was a force inside.   At 6’1” Jenkins played even bigger than her size as she defended the post and controlled the defensive boards.  Ariel was very active in the paint on the offensive end, grabbing offensive rebounds and drawing fouls on the put backs. Her entire AAU career will be at the highest level of competition.  She is an exceptional young talent with a tremendous upside.

Shamim Wambere 2018 PF Michigan Sting Johnson
Wambere had a strong showing in a game against the Michigan Mystics on Tuesday.  Her audition in front of the college coaches was impressive.  Already known for being a scoring and rebounding force inside, Shamim stepped out of the paint and hit a three and also put the ball on the floor on several drives to the basket.