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LBI Michigan Event Recap: Boo Williams Invitational Day One

By Steve Reynolds @LBI_Steve, 04/21/18, 8:00AM EDT

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Boo Williams Invitational; Michigan & Indiana Day One Standouts

Hampton, VA: Day 1 of The Boo Williams Nike Invitational was as advertised. There was considerable competition, a few surprises, and a charged atmosphere at one of the country’s top high school events. Here is a rundown of how Michigan and Indiana teams faired against the best teams and talent in the country. 

Indiana Standouts

2019 Carissa Garcia PG 5’7” Gym Rats Rose Gold Elite
Carissa kicked off the morning burning up the nets.  She made seven threes, none of which even touched the rim.  Garcia did a great job getting the Gym Rats out in transition which helped them get some easy baskets. She played just as well on the defensive end getting multiple deflections and steals.  Carissa looked as focused and ready for the challenge.  She usually does, but on this morning, she was playing at a level head and shoulders above everyone else.  Carissa did and has consistently shown she can do anything you need a point guard to do.

2020 Sydney Parrish SG 6’2” Gym Rats Silver EYBL
It’s no secret that Sydney Parrish is one of the top 2020’s on the planet.  And in her first game, she matched up against arguably the top rising Senior in the county; recent Notre Dame commit, Samantha Brunelle of the Fairfax Stars.  In our industry, we tag kids like Sydney with words like elite or phenom to try to help people understand the level of talent or skill we are observing.  Those descriptions can become empty quickly when you show up to an event like Boo Williams to watch a game and a kid struggles.  A lot of times you don’t get to see how a kid will respond when faced with adversity.  Sydney struggled mightily in the first half as the Fairfax Stars raced out to an early double-digit lead.  She didn't seem to have her legs under her, and her shot was flat. Parrish even uncharacteristically air-balled a wide open jump shot.  But she got it going in the second half.  She scored a team-high 12 points, 6 of them coming off two excellent looking 3 point shots from the wing. Sydney was able to find another gear, and that is what makes a kid special.

2019 Elise Scaggs SF 5’10” Gym Rat Red Premier
Elise had it going with a 20 point (2 triples) effort vs. Advantage Titans (ON).  Elise can face you up and take you off the dribble, or she can stretch the floor by knocking down the 3.  The Titans had a difficult time matching up with her and finding her as she was all over the court.  You could find Elise pushing the ball, spotting up, in the paint, high post, or on the boards.  Her versatility was too much for the Titans in Gym Rats Red Premier 55-51 victory.

Michigan Standouts

Michigan Crossover EYBL 58 vs. Colorado Premier EYBL 54
If you are a coach, then you know the frustration of helplessly watching your team play and compete without a sense of urgency.  You call timeouts, you yell, you scream, you sub, you spit, and you stomp, but it seems nothing works.  That was the picture of Michigan Crossover’s 1st half vs. Colorado Premier.  If fighting yourself wasn't hard enough, your team has to try to stop ’19 PG Kemery Martin from scoring.  Good luck with that.  Kemery made floaters, finger rolls, step-backs, and 3s…she was terrific throughout the game.  BUT in the second half, I saw the vintage Crossover energy and baseline to baseline pressure wear down CO Premier.  Crossover forced live ball turnovers with their relentless pressure that led to some easy baskets and opportunities at the free throw line. Crossover finished 11-12 from the free throw line in the 2nd half. Stellar team free throw shooting and an enormous contribution off the bench from sharpshooting Del’Janae Williams (4-7 from 3 in the 2nd half) proved to be a lethal combination for Colorado Premier. 

2019 Jasmine Powell PG 5’6” Michigan Crossover EYBL
With the loss of PG Alyza Winston (shoulder), Jasmine has had to carry the weight of leadership and the added responsibility that comes with being a point guard.  Let's say Jasmine is carrying that weight like it’s a toothpick.  Jasmine has shown the poise and IQ needed to handle the Boo Williams stage without Winston who is one of the top PGs in the country.  She had made clutch 3’s, played great defense on the ball, and gotten the ball to her teammates exactly where and when they needed it.  Jasmine has a knack for passing.  She can make all of the fundamental passes and flashy passes. Powell hits teammate Del’Janae Williams squarely in her shooting pocket time and time again for 3’s.  She has penetrated and broken down defenses to get big-time prospect 6’4” Sydney Roby the ball so she can finish with ease.  Jasmine has the ball on a string and is making life easy for her Crossover teammates.  Jasmine is easily the best passing point guard I’ve seen on day one at Boo Williams, Session 1.

Players I saw that impressed Day One and can’t wait to watch play TOMORROW…

2019 Del’Janae Williams 5’9” SG Michigan Crossover EYBL
Shooting the ball well; Four triples in the 2nd half of win over Colorado Premier.

2019 Madison Jones 5’8” PG Gym Rats Red Premier
Great energy; facilitates well at PG position.

2019 Nila Blackford 6’2” PF Gym Rats Silver EYBL
Very physical, pro body; has potential to dominate games on defense and the boards.

2022 Mila Reynolds 6’2” PF Michigan Crossover 2022
Scored on all three level; showed off deadly mid-range jump shot in transition

2021 Ariana Wiggins 5’7” PG Gym Rats Silver EYBL
Very good! I am in love with her game.