Cincinnati, OH: While many of the nation's top players were in Colorado Springs trying out for the 2018 USA Trials, there was still plenty of talent on display at the Midwest Showdown, which was held in Cincinnati, OH. Over 130 teams invaded the Queen City to end the spring travel season at one of the best Memorial Day weekend tournaments in the country. Many of the major national media outlets such as JumpOff Plus (Brand Clay), Collegiate Girls Basketball Report (Dan Olson), PASS Scout (Harry Ellerson), and many regional services were in attendance checking out the action.

Midwest Showdown Primetime Performers.........

2020 Shelby Calhoun 5'8" PG Gym Rats Silver EYBL (IN)
Calhoun is a tough fundamental guard with a beautiful offensive game. She has a great midrange jumper and can handle the ball well. She creates solid moves to go by her defender and shoot off the dribble or dish it off. She competes on both ends of the floor and leaves it all on the court. Shelby helped lead her Gym Rats squad to a 4-1 record overall on the weekend, playing without her running mate Sydney Parrish, who was at the USA Trials in Colorado Springs.

2019 Cydni Dodd 6'5" Post Gym Rats Silver EYBL (IN)
It's not fair that Dodd is allowed to get hammered by smaller defenders nearly everytime she catches the ball on the post. As frustrating as this can get, she does an excellent job of not letting it affect her play. Dodd is a real back-to-the-basket player who has good hands and does not shy away from contact when she catches it on the low block. She does an outstanding job of cleaning up a high percentage of the defensive rebounds. With one or two go-to moves on offense, she could be an exceptional player at the next level.

2020 Keiarra Griffin 5'11" SF Alabama Southern Starz Bush (AL)
Griffin is a long wing player who finishes well at the rim. Her athleticism allows her to take off further out and get up before the help side can bother her. She uses her length to finish around defenders and stretch out in transition and on drives. She finished strong with contact and finished the playoffs at the line, as well. She's a solid defender who is quick enough to guard on the perimeter and strong enough to bang inside.

2022 Lazaria Spearman 6'3" Post FBC Hoopstars Brown (GA)
She was active on the offensive and defensive boards, and she ran the floor exceptionally well.  Her effort was rewarded quite a few times as she was the recipient of passes in transition that resulted in layups. Spearman was also comfortable playing away from the basket as she showed the ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the basket when needed. She has the potential to develop into a dominant force for FBC soon.

2019 Allona Blackwell 5'9" SG Michigan Crossover (MI)
The 2019 shooting guard displayed her versatility from the shooting guard position this weekend. On the offensive end, she handled the ball well in space and against pressure. Her offensive rebounding led to second-chance points for the Crossover. She was most dangerous, though, shooting three-pointers. During a game against the WPA Bruins, Blackwell went on to knock down seven triples. Her stellar performance helped Michigan Crossover advance to the Final 4. Blackwell already has a few D1 offers on the table, and if she keeps up this hot shooting come July, I don't see why she wouldn't attract more attention from a few more schools. Everyone needs a shooter.

2021 Jordan Hobbs 6' SG Cincinnati Angels (Orange) (OH)
Hobbs had a good showing all weekend long. She displayed that she can score in multiple ways in multiple games. She made a couple 3’s, faced-up defenders and scored from 12-15’ and also made some excellent decisions playing the point guard position. She was able to handle opponent's pressure and kept her teammates involved, finding the open man at the correct time.

2019 Janae Terry 5'9" PG 1 Nation Elite (MI)
Terry continues to impress everyone on the travel circuit, showing that she can compete with the nation's best players. Janae is a smooth scorer who can go either way. She was able to knock down some easy pull-up jumpers in transition. With her excellent frame and long wingspan, which she uses around the basket to extend around defenders when finishing at the rim with either hand, Terry is the main reason why 1 Nation has competed at a high level against some of the best teams in the spring travel season.