Charlotte, North Carolina: Charlotte was the city playing host to some of the South’s finest young girls basketball players. The Lady Baller Insider Elite 48 event was kicked off by Kingdom of Development Skills Academy founder Jody Patton who would set the tone for what would be hours of training and competition through 1 on 1, 2 on 2, 3 on 3, and 5 on 5 sessions where enthusiasm and energy were demanded from start to finish. It was a great atmosphere to grow and be challenged, 2 of the goals LBI Elite 48 director Percy Wright set out to achieve. Here are a few girls who left a mark on the Carolina landscape, but of course no event in Charlotte would be complete with 3 claps and Ric Flair...Woooooooooo!
2022 5'2" Katelyn Dunning PG Mount Paran Christian (GA)
If you were at the LBI Elite 48 on September 9th, then you’d remember the pink blur from the pink shoes of Katelyn Dunning as she raced up and down the hardwood. Dunning was impressive as she was a factor on both ends of the court in every competition drill and scrimmage. Whether relentlessly turning her man as she attempts to bring the ball up or creating havoc off the dribble, Dunning was dominant! She scored at will going through, around, and over the top of defenders. She showed off her range by making shots off the dribble or on the other end of a draw and kick. Too quick to stay in front of and too strong to body up, Dunning put her fingerprints all over the event. At only 5’2”, Dunning may not look the part of a game changer, but she has a Morgan William (former Mississippi State PG, NCAA finalist) quality to her that deserves D1 coach’s attention.
2020 5'7"Jamie Blake PG South Pointe HS (NC)
Jamia Blake can control the tempo of a game. She can pull back and slow things down or ramp up from 0 to 60 in the time it takes to say, “Jamia Blake is for real!” Blake carved through defenses like my wife carves the Christmas ham. She’s strong and plays very well too and through contact. She uses her frame equally well on defense as she is the aggressor on most possessions in the way she initiates contact. Throughout the day, Blake turned up the heat hour after hour, drill after drill, while pulling back layer after layer of her game scoring at all 3 levels and flat-out dominating games at times.
Jamia Blake can control the tempo of a game. She can pull back and slow things down or ramp up from 0 to 60 in the time it takes to say, “Jamia Blake is for real!” Blake carved through defenses like my wife carves the Christmas ham. She’s strong and plays very well too and through contact. She uses her frame equally well on defense as she is the aggressor on most possessions in the way she initiates contact. Throughout the day, Blake turned up the heat hour after hour, drill after drill, while pulling back layer after layer of her game scoring at all 3 levels and flat-out dominating games at times.
2021 6' Reigan Richardson SF Cannon School HS (NC)
Sometimes players have a commanding presence about them you can’t explain. It’s both intimidating to opponents but a source of comfort for teammates. Reigan Richardson is one of those players. Her defensive versatility is off the charts. She can smother smaller and quicker guards or bang with girls in the paint. She got out in passing lanes and was dominant on the boards at times. Richardson shined on the offensive end as well. She used her athleticism to pull off Dr. J like layups as she palmed the ball and used an extended arm to finish shots over the top of defenders. She showed the ability to score from behind the arc and used a variety of moves with her back to the basket. She was a handful all day and should be considered at the top of her class when considering versatility on both ends of the court.
Sometimes players have a commanding presence about them you can’t explain. It’s both intimidating to opponents but a source of comfort for teammates. Reigan Richardson is one of those players. Her defensive versatility is off the charts. She can smother smaller and quicker guards or bang with girls in the paint. She got out in passing lanes and was dominant on the boards at times. Richardson shined on the offensive end as well. She used her athleticism to pull off Dr. J like layups as she palmed the ball and used an extended arm to finish shots over the top of defenders. She showed the ability to score from behind the arc and used a variety of moves with her back to the basket. She was a handful all day and should be considered at the top of her class when considering versatility on both ends of the court.
2020 5’9” Dane Bertolina PG Charlotte Catholic HS (NC)
Some kids just got it! Some kids just ooze with confidence that keeps you interested and wondering “what else is she going to pull out of that bag?” Well, Dane Bertolina is that kid, and she was in her bag at the LBI Elite 48. She seemed to have a counter for anything you could muster up on defense, usually finishing her defender off with a variety of step backs going left or right. Bertolina seemed to enjoy playing as the enthusiasm and emotion really she displayed at times was a breath of fresh air. She has leadership qualities and all kinds of game. These two things make her one to watch and deserving to be on many D1 watch list.
Some kids just got it! Some kids just ooze with confidence that keeps you interested and wondering “what else is she going to pull out of that bag?” Well, Dane Bertolina is that kid, and she was in her bag at the LBI Elite 48. She seemed to have a counter for anything you could muster up on defense, usually finishing her defender off with a variety of step backs going left or right. Bertolina seemed to enjoy playing as the enthusiasm and emotion really she displayed at times was a breath of fresh air. She has leadership qualities and all kinds of game. These two things make her one to watch and deserving to be on many D1 watch list.
2021 5'8" Nevaeh Caldwell PG Hopewell HS (NC)
All of Nevaeh Caldwell’s defenders must have been issued skates before the camp because Caldwell kept them off balance all day. She has lightning fast with hand speed and footwork to match. Her change of speed after a dribble move was the best I've seen all year. She got to whatever spot she wanted to on the court where she was able to finish or create a shot opportunity for others. Caldwell’s jelly game was on point too as she finished from multiple and seemingly impossible angles. She was extremely difficult and slippery to guard, frustrating the first line of defense and the help. Caldwell has big-time game on the offensive end and was beyond entertaining to watch.
