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LBI Event Recap: Michigan May Madness Opening Night (Dearborn, MI)

By LBI Staff, 05/18/19, 12:30AM EDT

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2022 KK Bransford from the Buckeye State Has All The Tools To Be Considered One Of The Nations's Top Prospects

Dearborn Heights, MI: The Michigan May Madness tipped off on Friday afternoon and played host to some of the nation's top talented teams and players. With college coaches from the Big Ten, Big East, Mid-American, ACC, Horizon League & many more conferences were on hand surrounding each court throughout the day, and a few players stood out right from the opening tip with some solid performances.

Top Games of Day 1
 
West Virginia Thunder Johnson UAA leaves a lasting impression against two of Michigan’s top teams.
 
WV Thunder Johnson UAA 54 MI Mystics Dream Team (BSTTL) 31
The score does not tell the true story of this game. Both teams gave each other fits defensively. However, due to their outstanding shot selections and ball movement, when the Thunder was able to get the ball in the air, they scored. The Mystic Dream Team is loaded from top to bottom with talent, in every position. With all of the talent on the roster, they still struggled to execute on offense. Partially because of the non-stop matchup defense the Thunder was serving, but also because the ball would not fall through the next for them. Great all around games on both ends of the court from Taziah Jenkins (SF, 6’1”, 2020) and Breanna Wilson (SG, 5’11”, 2020), the Thunder gained control of the game and never let it go.
 
WV Thunder Johnson UAA 66  MI Premier Open Blue 63
In true MI Premier fashion, even when they were down, no one, not even the Thunder, counted them out. At one point in the game, WV Thunder was up double digits and controlled every aspect of the game. Smart plays and shots from Katie Ball (SF, 6’3”, 2020) and Eden Gainer (CG, 5’9”, 2020) kick-started runs for the Thunder at very critical moments throughout the game. However, the Michigan Premier never looked defeated or stopped playing. When it seemed as though the Thunder was going to run away with the game, the Premier got big defensive stops and converted those stops into points on the board. Mya Hiram (C, 6’0”, 2021), Ella Stemmer (SG, 5’10”, 2021) and Shealyn Tripp (PF, 5’10”, 2021) were all key contributors to the Premier’s fighting efforts. The Thunder never give up the lead and finished the game with another win for the day.

WPA Bruins 2020-Nesbit gets a big win in a nail biter battle against MAC Basketball 2020
 
WPA Bruins 49 MAC Basketball 47
These two teams were almost mirrors to each other, with nearly perfect match-ups in multiple positions. MAC Basketball the lead for most of the first half, but the Bruins were never too far behind. Both teams were scrappy on defense, never giving up easy shots. They both also crashed the boards to get as many shot opportunities as possible. In the final minutes of the game, the Bruins were able to turn the corner and grab the lead. Olivia Gribble (SG, 5'8", 2020) hit some big shots for the Bruins and was a critical piece of their puzzle. Turnovers and missed shots would ultimately be the cause of MAC Basketball falling short, and the Bruins win the battle. 
 

The Truth Black too much for MI Crossover EYBL 17U
 
Truth Black 47 MI Crossover 39
From the opening tip, these two teams were all gas and no break. They scored a combined 20 points within the first minute and thirty seconds of the game. Great athletic plays and impressive defensive stops were on full display the entire first half. The lead flip-flopped several times before the Truth took control and never gave it back. Great floor leadership and big buckets from Damiya Hagemann (PG, 5’9”, 2021), along with crucial plays from Morasha Wiggins (SG, 6’1”, 2021) and Shaulana Wager (SF, 5’10”, 2020) kept Crossover in the game. However, for every great play the Crossover executed, Truth answered with two more. They showed great team chemistry and resiliency, playing every possession as if they were down by one. Christine Zenaida Corpus (PG, 5’5”, 2020), Kate Bullman (SG, 6’1”, 2020) and Lindsay Blackmore (SF, 6’0”, 2020) were key components on both ends of the court in the Truth leaving the gym the win.

 

Top Day 1 Performers

2020 Taziah Jenks SG 6'1" West Virginia Thunder 2020 Johnson
Jenks makes her impact in many ways for West Virginia Thunder. She's the kind of girl you sub around because of her motor, IQ, and versatility on both ends. In Thunders 23 point win over MI Mystics, Jenks scored from all levels and in all facets of the game. This D1 prospect is primed to catch May Madness coach's attention.

2022 KK Bransford SF 5'11" Angels Basketball Club Blue
This prospect has many of the qualities of the 2019 WNBA #1 pick, Jackie Young. Bransford is a tenacious but solid defender. She makes her money offensively punishing defenders on her way to the basket. Vs. Southwest Academy Prep, Bransford was able to impose her will on any defender thrown at her. She even stroked a 3 and pull-up jumper in transition for good measure. KK was the best prospect I saw on Day 1.

2021 Laila Phelia 5'10" SF Angels Basketball Club Blue
Laila has breathtaking jumping ability, and it serves her well on both ends of the court. She's not afraid to mix it up with the bigs, and the snatch rebounds out of the air. Laila also has a nasty hesitation dribble going left which helps her get to her pull up. That pull-up was the most unstoppable shot in the gym Friday night because it is virtually unblockable due to the elevation she gets on her shot.

2022 Alexia Mobley 6'2" PF Angels Basketball Club Blue
Though you can see the work and skill that Alexia Mobley has put into her game, she is still somehow still raw in that I believe she is only scratching the surface of her potential and that is SCARY! She already has a college-ready frame, athleticism, and ability to run the floor. This ultra-athletic prospect is a budding star and is a must watch for high major coaches everywhere.

2022 Katie Krupa 6'2" PF Heart of Illinois
I first saw Katie Krupa in Illinois AAU States a few years ago. She was tough then, and she is tough now. Krupa still has a lot of tools in the toolbox. The 6'2" PF stands out with her ability to pass and facilitate offense from a position not generally reserved for such use. Krupa is crafty around the basket and has basketball IQ beyond her years. Heart of Illinois is poised for a good summer with Krupa on the court.

2022 Lauren Sollom 6'1" SF Michigan Mystics
I've watched Lauren play over the years, and she has continued to improve her skill and athleticism with each passing season. She can shoot the ball at a very good clip and has excellent perimeter skills to be a threat at all times. Her size and length combined with guard-like attributes give her great versatility as well.

2022 Jordan Wright 5'6" PG 1 Nation Elite
Jordan Wright may be young, but she makes extremely mature decisions when the ball in her hands. She is lightning quick and just flat out destroys full-court pressure. Wright managed to pick them apart with relative ease and score with contact or even find open shooters in corners.

2021 Alyssa Leister 6'0 G Michigan Mystics
This spunky and springy guard has a smoothness to her game. She shoots the long ball consistently, which allows her to take advantage of her great length when penetrating off the bounce. On top of that this southpaw possesses great energy and lateral movement to defend quick perimeter players.

2022 Kyla Oldacre 6'5" C All Ohio Xpress
Oldacre is a tough and physical low post player that doesn't shy away from contact. She commands the block with her 6'5" frame, finishing almost everything thrown at her. Don't be fooled by her size, Kyla can run the floor and has quite the arsenal of moves in the paint.

2020 Jasmine Edwards 5'10" SF Hype Lady Hoopers
Although Jasmine isn't your classic point guard she can run your offense, defend opponents best perimeter player and handle the ball well; she also had a knack for getting to block area and seemingly post up her smaller defender over and over. To top off her "post-game" repertoire, Edwards rebounded like a bigger player all night! One of the sleepers in the state of Michigan's 2020 class that is going to be a  steal for some college coach next year.

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