Colorado Springs, CO: It’s time to make another push for those who are left after morning and evening cuts. This will be one last effort for some. An effort that should match the elevation of the highest point in Colorado. Let’s call this effort a “Mile High Effort.” An effort so undeniable it takes one’s breath away. These are the girls I saw give extra today…
*Since I’ve been writing throughout the day, some of these write-ups were what I saw in one session or a combination of sessions, so the ( ) denotes the round of cuts they made it to, and there were two: 158 to 102 and 102 to 70.
2019 Haley Jones 6’1” G Archbishop Mitty CA
No one had more of an impact on both ends of the court than Haley Jones. Defensively, she was so disruptive in so many ways. She got deflections on denying post entry. She got steals darting in passing lanes on the wing. She gave primary ball handlers fits when they tried to start their offense. Jones’ defensive versatility was eye-opening indeed. Offensively, she got to the basket and finished well. I was most impressed with the height that she gets on her mid-range pull-up. I’m sure Jones set out to prove she belongs and she did. (Round of 70)
2020 Cameron Brink 6’4” F Southridge HS OR
Cameron is sleight of a frame, but she’s a fighter. She guarded much bigger and stronger players all day, but Cameron had a secret weapon: her conditioning. Brink outran whoever guided her all day, securing easy layup opportunities on the break. She has great length, and she used that length to make it difficult for the opposing team to get clean shots. Also impressive was the different angle from which she could score including a nice looking inside shoulder right-hand reverse layup she could use in transition or traffic in the half court. She’s very skilled, and those skills were on display for America to see. (Round of 70)
2020 Angel Reese 6’3” F St. Francis Academy MD
Angel is uber-talented. She has the skill level to cover the entire court. Reese went coast to coast in one instance, weaving in and out of traffic, finishing the play with an AND 1. On the following play, she ran the floor, outpacing everyone to catch a long outlet pass for a layup. Probably most impressive was how discouraging it must have been for everyone who was trying to rebound to realize they had no chance. Reese secured offensive rebound after offensive rebound using her length, agility, and leaping ability. She handles the ball in the open court like a guard and owns the paint as an athletic four should. Reese has scary, ridiculous upside. (Round of 70)
2020 Rachel Harvey 5’6” G St. Ignatius College Prep CA
Rachel is a tough, smart ball player. She makes all the right plays and communicates at a high level on the court. I remember thinking, “she’s a point guard, point guard.” She finishes surprisingly well in the paint mainly because of the pace with which she attacks the basket. She’s always under control and can get to her floater off of one foot or jump stop. Harvey is very skilled and poised, and it will benefit her in numerous ways at the next level. (Round of 102)
2020 Maddie Burke 6’0” G Central Bucks HS PA
Burke has an excellent all-around game. She uses her frame to slash and finish at the basket. She also has a great shot. She netted two long threes in as many attempts in her final session before 1st cuts. She’s not the quickest or the fastest or the tallest, but she can flat out hoop. She has big-time basketball IQ that allows her to play and guard multiple positions. (Round of 70)
2020 Keegan Sullivan 6’0 G South Bend St. Joseph IN
Not sure if Keegan is a big point guard or a wing, but I am sure that Sullivan has been one of the top players going into 2nd cuts later this evening. She is a big-time problem when she gets going downhill. She has a low to the ground game like a running back, and she will punish the defender that tries to get in front of her. She has really good range on her 3-ball but doesn't force it. She allows the game to come to her offensively but stays ready to pounce on an opportunity to attack the basket. She rebounds well from the perimeter as well which is a huge plus for a player that plays her position. Keegan is for real and needs to be taken seriously. (Round of 70)
2021 Addison O’Grady 6’3” F Grandview HS CO
Addison has been very impressive. She has all the old school big fundamentals down. She catches high and keeps high on putbacks. She tucks the ball under her chin on rebounds and makes overhead passes for outlets to get the break going. She's active in the lane on offense, seemingly always in position to be a threat to score on flashes and high low opportunities. Addison also passes very well from the post to cutters and open shooter cross court. One of the most skilled bigs at The Trials. (Round of 70)
2019 Jordan Horston 6’0” G Columbus Africentric Early College OH
Horston is a household name, and she showed us why over the course of the last few days. She phenomenal in the open court. Sneaky fast in her long and lanky frame with excellent court vision. If you are her teammate and she gets a rebound or outlet pass. RUN! It was apparent she loved to make the pass in transition that led to a layup. Horston was really good on defense and even able to cover some mistakes by staying in plays and getting impossible looking blocks from behind. She probably has the best second jump in the building as well as she was able to contend for rebounds and put back her on missed shots with quick hops off the floor. Horston is smooth and well on her way to battling for a spot when it’s all said and done. (Round of 70)
2020 Sasha Goforth 6’1” Fayetteville HS AR
Sasha just seemed to improve as the days have gone on. She slashed from the wing with reckless abandon and was able to finish some tough shots. Goforth was physical and fearless, an excellent combination for an event like the USAB U17 Trials. Goforth is a bit of an onion as she peeled back layers to her game the more I watched her. She also blends a little finesse from time to time in lurking on the perimeter able to knock down open three's or take defenders off the dribble for the draw and kick. Goforth is just one of those players you fall in love with the longer she’s out on the court! (Round of 70)
2019 Rickea Jackson 6’3” F Detroit Edison MI
Rickea has been a monster! She’s playing with a hunger and zeal that's noticeably different than anyone else in the gym. Her offensive talent has been on full display, and no one has had an answer for her. She’s been money on both ends of the court. She’s rebounding on both ends, finishing in the paint, blocking shots, and playing hard. In my opinion, no one has made a bigger impact on the court and has produced more “WOW” then RJ. (Round of 70)
