Pittsburgh, PA: The WPA Bruins hosted a ton of top programs not only from the Midwest region but the country as well. With our LBI Michigan scouts on hand, here are some of the standouts from the mitten from this past weekend.
6'3” 2019 SF Rickea Jackson - Detroit Edison Sports City U (OH)
This weekend was Jackson's first showing with her new team Sports City U. Rickea showed she could adapt quickly with her teammates as she impressed all weekend long. While she plays primarily in the post during the high school season, Rickea showed a ton of versatility operating from the perimeter. She attacked defenders off the catch and got her shot off while creating separation to knock them down. No matter the environment, Jackson shows she is an All-American caliber player every time.
5'10” 2019 PG Jeanae Terry Wayne Memorial 1Nation - Elite
No matter the location, Terry is worth the price of admission; and this weekend in Pittsburgh was no different. A true wizard with the ball, Terry dazzles crowds with her handle, dribbling through the double teams she often drew. What makes her so coveted as a prospect is the way she can score at every level with efficiency and how she controls an offense. She had a strong showing and is creeping more and more towards national notoriety with her play.
6'2” 2021 PF Alanna Micheaux Wayne Memorial 1Nation - Elite
The freshman from Wayne Memorial spent her weekend playing on the Elite 17U level, and more than held her own against top talent. She provided a spark in a reserve role off the bench. She ran the floor well on the offensive end to put herself in position to score the ball, and she was an active paint presence on defense, taking up space and altering opponents’ shots. The future is very bright as her game and experience are continually rising. BCS programs will be all over her following April.
5'8” 2020 SF Sequoia Jackson Detroit Mumford 1Nation - Elite Sophomore
In what was an up and down rollercoaster style scenario this weekend, Jackson was one of the standouts in each effort for her team. Her offense was propelled by her defense as she was able to pickpocket the offense possession after possession with her on-ball prowess. She did a great job moving without the basketball to get open and had no problems hitting open jump shots when the opposition over helped on her teammates. The improvement of her handle will be the key to how high her stock will be.
5'5” 2022 PG Neveah Williams Mount Clemens Junior High 1Nation 2021/2022
Williams is new to the AAU scene and what better tester than the Bruins Yip-Off? Neveah is a unique player for an 8th grader, as she has the necessary tools to play a high level of basketball right away when she gets to high school. She showed a ton of promise playing up a division and did a fantastic job using whatever the defense gave her. If she drew a defender in an open court, she gave the ball up quickly, attacking taller defenders she rose up and connected on multiple floaters. She has a high motor and will be one to keep an eye on in Michigan's loaded 2022 class.
Special Mention:
6'1” 2022 SF Alexia Mobley Reynoldsburg HS (OH)
Although not a player from Michigan, Mobley played too well not to receive a nod for her play all weekend. She is tactful at reading defenses and can play every position on the floor. With the ball in her hands, she broke down bigger and slower defenders to score and created for teammates on the break and in the half court setting. She was the anchor on defense, often sending shots in the opposite direction and played the passing lanes to get steals. If that isn't telling enough, she played up two age divisions. Mobley is among some of the top 2022's in the Midwest for sure.
1Nation walks away with the WPA Bruins Gold Championship
1Nation came to Pittsburgh undermanned in an environment that was relatively new to half of the eight players on their roster, but they didn't use that as an excuse not to compete. Although all their games were close in margin, their slow start ended up in a bid to the Gold Bracket. With three games under their belts, The Nation rose to the occasion and left the Steel City with some hardware. Coach Jarvis Mitchell's group was bolstered by 2019 backcourt of Jeanae Terry, Mauriya Barnes and Kate McArthur who all had noteworthy weekends and the frontcourt play of Alanna Micheaux.
