Mount Notre Dame KK Bransford '22 Opened Up Her High School Career With a Bang At The Journey To The Tourney
Cincinnati, Oh: The 2nd Annual "Journey To The Tourney" took place this past Thanksgiving weekend in Cincinnati, OH. This three-day event has quickly become one of the top events in the country as many of the top teams and players from the Buckeye state was in attendance. There were numerous college coaches and national evaluators on hand checking out the action. Here's a brief recap of Day 3.
2019 Sammy Puisis 6'2" SG Mason HS (OH)
Puisis is considered one of the top SG’s in the class of 2019 in the state of Ohio and the country. It wasn’t too hard to see why. In a highly anticipated matchup against Toledo Rogers, Puisis showed she was a reliable scorer by scoring a game-high 22 points. Her ability to break defenders down off the dribble did not go unnoticed as she scored getting to the rim, deep from NBA range and rebounded well on both ends. (Signed with Florida State)
Puisis is considered one of the top SG’s in the class of 2019 in the state of Ohio and the country. It wasn’t too hard to see why. In a highly anticipated matchup against Toledo Rogers, Puisis showed she was a reliable scorer by scoring a game-high 22 points. Her ability to break defenders down off the dribble did not go unnoticed as she scored getting to the rim, deep from NBA range and rebounded well on both ends. (Signed with Florida State)
2020 Alana Carter 5'11" PG Mason HS (OH)
Carter was the unsung hero last night in helping Mason to a victory over Toledo Rogers. She destroyed defenders getting to the basket and finishing on the break. She has tremendous body control around the rim and showed her ability to convert through contact and distribute to open teammates! She chipped in 14 points and had a game 11 rebounds on Sunday night.
Carter was the unsung hero last night in helping Mason to a victory over Toledo Rogers. She destroyed defenders getting to the basket and finishing on the break. She has tremendous body control around the rim and showed her ability to convert through contact and distribute to open teammates! She chipped in 14 points and had a game 11 rebounds on Sunday night.
2019 Zia Cooke 5'9" PG Toledo Rogers HS (OH)
A great combination of skill and athleticism, Cooke showed she has the ability to take over a game when necessary. With her team facing a double-digit halftime deficit, Zia came out in the second half very aggressive. Unstoppable in transition, she ran by defenders like they were standing still as she converted acrobatic finishes at the rim. In the half court, she took what the defense gave. She made great decisions off the pick and roll and finish with a team-high 18 points and added 5 steals. (Signed with South Carolina)
A great combination of skill and athleticism, Cooke showed she has the ability to take over a game when necessary. With her team facing a double-digit halftime deficit, Zia came out in the second half very aggressive. Unstoppable in transition, she ran by defenders like they were standing still as she converted acrobatic finishes at the rim. In the half court, she took what the defense gave. She made great decisions off the pick and roll and finish with a team-high 18 points and added 5 steals. (Signed with South Carolina)
2020 Jillian Hayes 6'2" SF Loveland HS (OH)
Hayes was impressive on the day! Standing at 6’2” she is a natural wing but can run the point when needed! She was rebounding well and scoring a lot around the rim. Jillian was able to defend all positions and plays all positions on offense! She showed a solid handle when she pushed the ball in transition looking to score. She had a team-high 28 points and 15 rebounds to lead her squad to a 59-50 overtime victory over Wilmington.
Hayes was impressive on the day! Standing at 6’2” she is a natural wing but can run the point when needed! She was rebounding well and scoring a lot around the rim. Jillian was able to defend all positions and plays all positions on offense! She showed a solid handle when she pushed the ball in transition looking to score. She had a team-high 28 points and 15 rebounds to lead her squad to a 59-50 overtime victory over Wilmington.
2022 KK Bransford 5'11" SG Mount Notre Dame HS (OH)
Bransford was a fun young guard to watch. Her length and athleticism presented a matchup nightmare for anyone that was defending her. She was doing whatever she wanted on the floor, whether it was scoring, rebounding, or causing multiple turnovers on the defensive end with her quick feet and hands. Bransford has a good motor with the ability to get up and down the court in a heartbeat. Her IQ is very high and her aggressiveness got her plenty of buckets at the rim. She had a career-high 29 points on Saturday night against Columbus Africentric and came back on Sunday with a 15 point, 8 rebound performance in a victory over Toledo Notre Dame.
Bransford was a fun young guard to watch. Her length and athleticism presented a matchup nightmare for anyone that was defending her. She was doing whatever she wanted on the floor, whether it was scoring, rebounding, or causing multiple turnovers on the defensive end with her quick feet and hands. Bransford has a good motor with the ability to get up and down the court in a heartbeat. Her IQ is very high and her aggressiveness got her plenty of buckets at the rim. She had a career-high 29 points on Saturday night against Columbus Africentric and came back on Sunday with a 15 point, 8 rebound performance in a victory over Toledo Notre Dame.
