Romulus, MI: The summer travel season has begun. One week before the first half of the July evaluation period, Lady Ballers Insider hosted some of the top teams in Romulus, MI for a tune-up tournament. A ton of D2, D3, NAIA coaches were in attendance for an eventful day of hoops.
Here are a few standouts from the Michigan Jamboree.
2019 Alyssa Argyle 5'8" SG Michigan Mystics
I wasn't even in my seat 5 minutes when Argyle got my attention with her sweet stroke from 3. Moving well without the ball and playing off of her team's excellent post play Alyssa had no problems torching the nets early and continued to do so all day. Alyssa showed a nice handle in transition and did a great job finding her open teammates when she wasn't knocking down the jumper. Look for her hot shooting to continue in July from Argyle for the Mystics.
2020 Carlee Crabtree 5'10" SG Michigan Mystics
Carlee who was playing her first competition with the Mystics made it look like an effortless transition, making multiple plays on both ends of the floor for her new team. Carlee is a smooth guard who can do it all; she knocked down 3's hit the mid-range jumper and continuously beat her girl with basket cuts or dribble drives to the basket to get a bucket or create for a teammate. Her footwork was so tough on one drive and finish that she caused a slight reaction to a usually stoic coaches row. Crabtree was a big snatch for the Mystics heading into July.
2021 AJ Ediger 6'2" PF West Michigan Drive
Purposely not wanting to know who all of the top players were on each team so that I could unbiasedly evaluate the girls, it was no surprise to find out later that AJ had just picked up an Iowa offer. In a quick few minutes stretches she knocked down two threes, blocked a shot and made a pretty post move to get a bucket in traffic. AJ's versatile game was on full display scoring from all levels, while also going hard in the paint defending and rebounding. Look for plenty more offers for Ediger this July.
2022 Jordan Wright 5'6" PG 1 Nation
The next great PG from the 1 Nation stable is in place, this 2022 dynamo with a great handle, great vision and the will to get it, Jordan has all the tools to be unique and the basketball IQ to go with it. Jordan got in the lane multiple times making plays and setting up her teammates, Wright is a blur with the rock but always seemed to be under control. Look for big things from this youngster.
2019 Rana Elhusseini 5'3" PG Factory Orange
Rana was a terror on defense and kept the pressure on her defenders by pushing the rock in transition. A constant ball of speed Rana made plays for her teammates and herself by using her quickness, shiftiness and handle. Rana has a nice jump shot and looked to be more aggressive shooting the ball after the defender was forced to back up a step to try and contain her. Look for Rana to cause all kinds of havoc in the backcourt this July.
2021 Elena Rodriguez 5'7" SG Greg Grant 15u
Elena carries herself on the floor like a big-time player, which I love for a player her age. Elena made steal after steal and looked to attack the rack and finish over the taller opponents with sidesteps, reverses and other creative shots in her arsenal. Elena made many plays in transition and always seemed to be moving faster and more aggressively than anyone on the floor. Elena has tools early to be a particular player, and as her game continues to develop, she will be a player to remember.
2021 Maddie Dolenga 2021 5'6" SG Greg Grant 15u
Maddie is the calming force to the Greg Grant squad, Maddie ran the show, kept control and did a great job of feeding her teammates in scoring position. Maddie is a fierce, hard-nosed defender that didn't back down from anyone, a pure PG, Maddie never looked to be out of control. The Greg Grant team seems to get out and go as much as possible, and with a QB like Dolenga, they have the right leader to get it done!
2019 Maddi Stevenson 5'5" SG 1 Nation Elite
Clip- clip-clip, oh I am sorry that's how long it takes for Maddi Stevenson to get three 3's off. The owner of one of the prettiest, quick releases in the gym and according to her coach (Jarvis Mitchell) maybe the State, Maddi knocked down three after three effortlessly and in a blink of an eye. Maddie hit in transition and out of sets, but her shot never changed, the same stroke usually led to the same result. Look for a LOT of 3's in Louisville from this shooter.
2021 Arieonna Ware 5'10" SF West Michigan Drive
This do it all guard did everything for the Drive and looked extra smooth while doing it. Arieonna was a playmaker, a bucket getter a rebounder a defender you name it she did it. During one stretch Ware made a steal then assisted on a pretty layup, got another steal scored herself then blocked a shot dribbled the distance and got an and 1. Arieonna does all of this always under control and at a smooth as silk pace. I see many double-doubles in her future and don't be surprised if she is filling up three or four columns regularly.
2020 Madisyn Tillman 6'2" Post MBA
Madisyn continues to make a name for herself with solid post play, excellent hands and outstanding footwork in the post. Tillman uses her body well to create space to allow for her to get her shot off against almost any defender. Standing next to some coaches I heard multiple times "Tillman gets better every time I see her," look for Tillman to keep GETTING BETTER!!
