Fort Wayne, IN: The 2018 Lady Gym Rats Invitational was another great event in the Hoosier State. Over 200 teams from the EYBL, Adidas, Under Armour, Blue Star and ASGR circuit invaded the world famous Spiece Fieldhouse and competed at a high level.  There were over 25 Division II and Division III and NAIA College Coaches in attendance.

A few standout players at the Gym Rats Invitational were……………….

Alexia Mobley 6’1” F Ohio Future 2022
Mobley is really good!  She has great length and athleticism. She finishes with either hand around the basket with baby hooks and push shots.  She was relentless on the offensive boards as well.  If Alexia didn't snag the rebound herself, she was able to keep it alive with a tip or by throwing her body into the mix, ultimately creating extra possessions for her team. She has the kind of ability on the offensive glass to change the entire story of a game.  Alexia is a big-time talent! 

Madison Royal Davis 5’11” SG Michigan Crossover 2021
Madison has a quiet, unassuming disposition on and off the court, but her game roars like a tornado ripping up city blocks.  Madison can do it all!  She runs the floor like a deer and finishes everything in transition.  She has sneaky athleticism and great length.  In a 30-point outburst vs. a tough Mac Irvin Fire team, she netted 6 threes and showed why she should be considered one of the top 2021 guards in OHIO and maybe the country.  

Jaci Jones 5’4” PG Always 100 Wilmont 2020
If you saw the smoke coming from the Spiece Fieldhouse, don’t worry, it was just Always 100 Wilmont PG Jaci Jones burning up the nets.  Jaci was consistent from 3 in the two games I watched.  She made 4 triples is one-half vs. All-Ohio (finished with 5) and made 3 more vs. Dayton Metro.  Jones is very poised on the court and unafraid to challenge her teammates on missed defensive assignments or on other things that need to be done for her team to be competitive.  Jones has the make-up of a true winner. 

Jasmine McWilliams 5’10” SF Indy Lady Gym Rats Gold 2020
Jasmine McWilliams is was arguably the most versatile player in the Lady Gym Rats Invitational considering that her versatility is evident on offense and defense.  Offensively, she’s at her best slashing to the basket. However, she is also very good at posting up smaller guards and finishing with quickness and strength when she gets those opportunities in the post.  She’s really good on the offensive boards as well.  McWilliams is also the engine on suffocating half-court trapping defense that LGR Gold likes to play.  McWilliams can play any spot and guard any position because of her defensive IQ, versatility, and toughness.  She’s going to be an extremely valuable piece to a puzzle for some D1 school. 

Cam Williams 6’2” PF Mac Irvin Lady Fire 2020
All of the superlatives apply here; athletic, strong, explosive, high motor and the list goes on.  Alexa was key to her team’s success this weekend.  She rebounded on both ends, converted layups in transition and showed off some impressive post moves in every game I watched her play.  Her leaping ability allowed her to get her shot off and rebound against taller post players.  Her strength allowed her to finish through contact evidenced by a number of “and one” opportunities during the tournament. 

Kaybriana Hallman 6’3” Post West Michigan Drive 2021
One of the first things noticed while watching Kaybriana is that she plays with a lot of energy.  She was active on the offensive and defensive boards and she ran the floor extremely well.  Her effort was rewarded quite a few times as she was the recipient of passes in transition that resulted in layups.  She has the potential to develop into a dominant force for the West Michigan Drive very soon.

Arieonna Ware 5’10” SF West Michigan Drive 2021
Ware showed a passion and a drive for winning during the tourney.  She played aggressively on the defensive end of the floor and came up with several big steals.  Her lateral movement is excellent for a taller guard.  She showed the ability to make shots and get to the basket off the bounce where she is very good at finishing with either hand. She had her head up on the break and found open teammates that led to easy scoring opportunities. Look for Ware to turn heads in July during the certified events.

Abrie Cabana 5’9” PG Michigan Premier 2021
Abire had an excellent weekend.  Michigan Premier played in a talented division and played well against all comers.  A very solid all-around guard, Abrie displayed high-level guard skills on a consistent basis during the tournament.    She handled the ball well against the press and made good decisions with the ball.  She got to the basket, distributed the ball and hit the open shot when left alone. Cabana and her Michigan Premier squad are going to be very competitive for the rest of this AAU season.

Mya Hiram 6’ Post Michigan Premier 2021
This kid keeps getting better and better every time we see her play. Hiram is strong, tough and has a non-stop motor that makes her effective on the circuit. She’s a skilled post, who can finish around the rim with both hands, knock down the 15 footer, and pull down every rebound in and out of her area. Mya held her own against a talented and super athletic Mac Irvin Lady Fire frontcourt.

Kendall  Bostic 6’1” PF Indiana Flight Thunder 2020
Bostic was easily one of the top 5 player’s regardless of class that I saw this weekend. She made plays for her team at critical times in highly competitive games.  She filled the stat sheet as she was always in “attack mode.”  With the ball in her hands, she consistently made the right play.  She rebounded over other bigs, started the break like a guard, and ran the floor beating the other team back for layups on countless occasions.  In the post, she often faced up to look for open teammates and if she had single coverage would take the ball strong to the basket usually with a favorable result.