By: Rob Christie
Media Director, Southern Premier Hoops
Note: The Carolinas Elite 80 Showcase was a SOLD OUT individual exposure event held July 15, 2011 in Columbia SC. NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 schools were in attendance from around the region to watch 83 middle and high school student-athletes compete. D1 and D2 calibre players competed during the one day event and the reviews below highlight a few of the players that participated. Thanks to all players that attended and to all the travel team coaches that helped to make this event a success.
Be sure to check www.sphoops.com for more info about the Unsigned Senior Showcase that will be held in the spring 2012.
Class of 2012
Shannon Hines- is the true definition of a warrior. She has true grit when she steps out on the court and plays the game like she has a point to prove “Hey look at me! I can play at the next level”. Shannon can get to the bucket when she wants and scores at will around the basket. When she gets into the paint, she’s an excellent decision maker. As one college coach put it, “Hines makes it look easy when she attacks”. When challenged by comparable talent, she turned it up another level and met the confrontation head on. With uncanny ball handling skills and upper body strength, she has the ability to over match smaller guards.
Juliette Love- is a knockdown shooter and one can make the case she has the most developed and skilled release featured on Friday. At 6-3, she tends to stray away from contact and the inside wars, but will gravitate to the three point line and surgically dismantle a defense. She has unlimited range. Juliette can pull up off the dribble, spot up, and come off ball screens shooting at an efficient percentage. A college coach who will remain anonymous offered the perspective, “If she had the desire and fire, she would be a high D 1 player”. Those type of questions about a player can and will affect potential offers. However, her natural gift to shoot the basketball will be tough element to overlook.
Taylor Vinson- plays with raw emotion and energy. Taylor is willing to set screens for shooters, attacks the defensive glass, and can handle the ball under duress. Vinson is selfless and demonstrated through her play that she wants to win. Any program could utilize that type of personality. I’m not quite sure if she is a true point guard, however she has the ability to initiate an offense. Vinson is an above average defender, ball handler, but has excellent vision. She never missed a cutting teammate to the bucket, always found the open teammate in transition, and consistently made the “right” pass.
Chelsea Frazier- My favorite quality of a player is the fearless attitude to check the opposing team’s best player. Frazier is that type of player. Frazier is like a pit bull when she is on the ball and her help side defense anticipation and vision is like a hawk. High praise I know, but I admire toughness and she earned my admiration. Frazier just gets it done on both ends of the floor. She Gets to the rim both in the half court and transition, she’s above average shooter, but an excellent attack guard. All college programs have a spot for a player who has a knack for making plays.
Jacolby Brown- generated the most intrigue and curiosity among the college coaches this past Friday. Sort of like when Brad Pitt is noticed in public. She has excellent footwork when attacking the basket from the post. She uses her body exceptionally well and buries her defender underneath the bucket when establishing post position. She has a soft touch around the basket and is capable passer around the painted area. Not only does her natural scoring talent glare like a diamond, but she has an endless motor on both of ends of the floor that every coach wishes he or she could teach their players. Only big things are ahead of Brown.
Class of 2013
Amoshia Blakeney- has playground flair to her game, but that would be insulting if I didn’t mention her incredible point guard fundamentals. Undeterred by taller guards checking her, she has complete control when she has the ball. Exceptionally quick with the ball, Blakeney blew by anyone who attempted to check her. However, it wasn’t just the pure speed, but the change of speeds, deception, and high level moves that got her to the painted area. She surveys and dissects a defense in the half court both with her passing and scoring ability. The way Blakeney plays puppet master admist the defense with her passing and ball handling, one can’t help but think Steve Nash, seriously. She also has a nice pull up jumper off transition and rarely gets herself into trouble by trying to play super hero. You heard her coined nickname here first “Puppet Master”.
Keira Robinson- did the unthinkable, communicated on defense. It takes a concerted effort by high school coaches to illustrate the importance of communication and then get results. Just by her overall demeanor on defense; never missing help side rotations, calling out screens, any observer of her game knows she has grown up in a great high school program. This was all natural and looked second nature. Every college program needs a reliable defender who is willing to sacrifice ego for the success of the team. Robinson should and will be a hot commodity, because defense is the pedigree of champions.
Class of 2015
Alexus Richardson- has glaring athleticism and anticipation skills that commanded everyone’s attention. Richardson is a willing and capable defender who possesses anticipation skills that leads to easy steals and fast break opportunities. Her length alone disrupts the opponent’s offensive options. Pair her length with a natural inclination to defend and you have a premier defender. Under duress, Richardson can finish with both hands and find the open teammate when her driving lanes are closed. Stats were not recorded on Friday. However, Richardson most likely led the camp in scoring and steals.
Dejoria Howard- the college coaches I talked basketball with on Friday pointed out Howard’s incredible promise and skill set. The division 2 coaches sadly disclosed, “we have not shot at her”. Most likely inferring she will be coveted by some of the best programs women’s basketball has to offer. Howard flashes to the elbow with purpose, catches, and squares up looking to attack, distribute or shoot at a high level. She also flashes from block to block sealing her defender to establish position with great awareness and fundamentals. Howard has a confident jump shot stretching to 15 feet. One of her best attributes and my favorite quality is her ability to clear the defensive glass and start the fast break. Most importantly, she understands the game and her basketball IQ is sky high.
Myranda Parham- is a physical, feisty, and a strong guard. She often bullies and manipulates her opponents with her strength. With that said, she can score in the half court and in transition, but always has her eye for the open teammate. When left open will shoot and knock down the open 3. Parham does an excellent job zig zaging the ball handler with full court pressure, it is truly clinic worthy.
Taylour Hunter- can make the argument she was the best ball handler on Friday. Hunter’s ambidextrous ball handling skills and exceptional ability to change speeds with the ball set her apart from the point guards featured at the Elite Showcase. Her court vision was unchallenged by any other guard in her class and even from her older peers. Another element of her game that is noteworthy is her mid range game. She can pull up in transition and create her own shot. I have seen Hunter play multiple times and she may be one of the more consistent ball players I have seen all summer. You know what you will get from Hunter; a sound, impeccable performance on both ends of the floor.
Class of 2016
Taylor Toney- is the definition of a “super glue” and “can do everything” type of player. She gets on the floor, advanced in making entry passes into the post, and knocks down the open jump shot. Even more impressive, is her ball handling skills at her height. Between a guard and a forward, Toney adjusts well to whatever position is asked of her. Multi-dimensional basketball players, a player who can play numerous positions, is rare and she can execute it. With all the time in the world to polish her skill set in anticipation for the next level, she is headed in the right direction.
Email: rchristie@sphoops.com
The SC 76ers and FBC came together to host the 2011 Coast 2 Coast Championship Series which was an inaugural series of girls basketball exposure camps and tournaments over a six day period in the metro Atlanta area. The EA Sports National Elite Camp was held on July 26 and featured 90 girls. The EA Sports Elite Showcase was held on July 27-28 and featured the FBC organization along with powerhouse clubs like Exodus NYC and loaded young ballers like the Georgia Volunteers. The Coast 2 Coast Championship was the weekend tournament, July 29-31, and the main event. Good times were had by all and college coaches from UConn, University of Kansas, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Clemson, Southern Illinois, Florida Atlantic, Colorado, Western Kentucky, Washington State, Lander, Lincoln Memorial, Alabama State, Presbyterian, Winthrop, Florida, Miami, Virginia Commonwealth, Providence, Georgetown, Furman, San Diego State, Long Island University, Arizona State, Furman, Kentucky and others from all over the country were present looking for all levels of talent. We would like to thank all of the girls, parents and organizations that travelled from around the country to Atlanta to compete in front of college coaches hoping to secure a college scholarship. We would also like to thank all the college coaches who came to this event. 
