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McDonald's AA Game

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Agree that Sadie didn't look like she was an "all-star game" type of player. Will probably start out as a good "glue" player at UCONN, picking her spots etc. Obviously a ton of talent around her next year, and I think that will be good for her. Her leadership qualities and strong all-around playmaking skills could come out more as time goes on.

Who knows, maybe she could have been a player who could have come on and carried a big load as a frosh like Bria, but I think Bria was pretty special in that respect. Lucky for Sadie she won't have to find out :)
 
VAMike23 said:
When asked again tonight (just now) what the deciding factors in her decision will be, Aja states her desire to find a school where she can have the best possible relationship with the coach (she also hints at the coach's quality as being a big factor) and, secondly, asks the question, "What can the school do for me afterwards? To help me get to the next level?" The latter point, at least, has been something she highlighted before. Good to hear that this point was top-of-mind for her when answering the question again courtside.

I like what i'm hearing so far this evening.
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Basically what I heard too. The interviewer Quint Kessenich asked her: ""The lone undeclared athlete here, what's it been like for you playing around all these athletes who know where they'll be going?"

A'ja replied, "It's been great, they haven't pressured me at all. and it's been a lot of fun, 'cause they kinda know and they understand that why I'm undeclared. It's a tough decision and I have to find the school that's right for me so they understand and I respect them for that. It's been a lot of fun...".

Quint: "What's the critical factor in terms of your decision that you'll make on April 16th?"

She replied, "It's really just a little (next word sounded like 'people" but it wasn't clear). I mean everybody has the best facilities and of course the top coaches to the top D1 schools so I guess it's a little ?indistinguishable word? My relationship with the coach. How I'm going to get along with the coaches. Also, what can the school do for me after I graduate. And what can they do to take me to the next level so realy these are going to be the key factors in me making my decision."

Quint: "What type of advice has your dad Roscoe given you?"

She smiled and said, Um. "He's given me a lot of advice, just saying just stay humble, always, always want more and don't take anything for granted, Thant's the number one thing because anything can be taken away from you in the blink of an eye. And that also what I learned here where we've been to the Ronald McDonald house for the kids that don't have that opportunity. So really, don't take anything for granted.

Quint: Tremendous maturity and grace, Thank you.

That's it. Quite a poised young lady.
 
MYERS: Wow....Dude.....twice in one evening! Twice on one thread even. Really good stuff .....best meat in the thread.
Wonder if you oughta hang it up until next year's Mickey D game??
 
BEST: Very nice report as well. With the announcers not bothering to tell you which player was doing what, and the style of play, I turned game off during first half. Appreciated your detail here.
 
I was bowling tonight. Had my high series with a 200-202-200 602.

I did DVR it,but I'll probably just look for the Wilson interview and try to fill in the blanks.
 
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I watched the first half and couldn't take any more. The uniforms were UGLY and the numbers were impossible to read so it was hard to tell who was who. And the play was typical of these things - really ugly with just a few nice passes.
Meyers - that looks like a pretty good take on the players that I noticed during the first half. Agree about Middleton and those were the comparisons I thought of too, but I think she may be height challenged - she is listed at 5'8" but I thought the announcers said she was shorter.
Cuevas definitely has some NYC in her game - first though was SammyP but that is probably unfair.
Belton and Thomas both look to have college ready builds and some skill
Wilson and Turner are likely to have Stewart type struggles their first year in college dealing with the physicality - neither have Stewarts mad talent nor experience coming in, but they both have similar body types and could develop well. Unless they really change their body types over their college careers, no one is going to want to play them at center nor as a traditional power forward. Neither have the bulk of a Stef or even an Achonwa, nor the muscle of a Thomas or Chiney.
 
easttexastrash said:
Atkins is the real deal. IMO, she is better than Turner.
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I thought Atkins was best.

Though Turner looks real good. Wilson didn't play so hot but I remember what I read this summer. At a glance these two can play pf. Not enough to draw a conclusion if they can be sf's. But I suspect with ND or UCONN - if Weilo goes and ofc Turner is going- the coaches will encourage a face-up game and a post-up game.
 
Ok Boneyarder's!!

We stayed for the boys game. Feed the monsters (children) and now for an update. First and foremost, its an interesting game. I think each team shot 20% (a lot of missed shots). It took me about 10 minutes to figure the players out because the numbers when catching the light and were really hard to make out. So this took me some time to figure out who was who. I will comment on the players that stood out in the live to me and then I will add some tidbits about the UCONN commits/recruit.


Jordin Canada--WOW. She was dandy. Looked and acted like a true PG. She impressed me with her passing and heady play. UCLA got a great player in her. There was something about how she handled herself on the court and how she was always looking up. She was just impressive. I know Turner won MVP but Canada was the best player on the West squad in my eyes.

Shakayla Thomas--ATHLETE. Explosive! If the Canada was the best player on West, Thomas was for the East. She was fast on offense and defense. Nice moves to the basket. Just and all around athletic smart player. Had the East won she would have been MVP.

Ariel Atkins--She is really gonna help Texas. Smart player. Good Athlete. Drives to basket, mid range game was there. Fearless.

Post Players:

Interesting thing I was most interested in Aja Wilson and Brianna Turner. I came away impressed with 2 players I knew least about Chatrice White and Alyssia Rice. White I had never heard of had a lot of rebounds. No idea how many but she is a smart player. Rice was the first player I noticed when I saw them warming up. Big strong body, had some nice blocks. I don't think either of them scored that much but I liked both their games. Just good solid fundamental basketball.

What is interesting about the post players is that in HS most of them probably are used to bringing the ball up the court with ease because they are so much more athletic and better players. It was interesting seeing them do this when they are playing with equally athletic guards. Turner tried this the most. Many times she tried to lead a fast break or take the ball the distance and she struggled with handling in the open court with the fast athletic guards.

Cuevas(South Carolina) and McCarty (Texas) are small PG's. Cuevas is a daring PG. She will need to learn to play team ball and pass but this is hardly the game to bring that up.

Cowling (California) looked good. Made a monster block that got an applause from the crowd. She scored in double figures I am sure.


For our Duke Fans: Belton will be like Chidom or McCravey. Strong post player.

UCONN Commits/Recruit:

Edwards started so I was expecting her to be electric. She made some nice drives to the basket but that was about it. I think ( like most of them) she was trying to hard. She strikes me as the kind of player, particularly point guard, that does well in a structured offense where she knows what to do and what is expected. A couple of times I saw her trying to direct traffic but in a game like this its too much individual basketball and not a lot of offense execution. I think she will be good at UCONN under GA and staff.

Williams was not using crutches which made me happy!!! She is a legit 6ft and was smiling on the bench and very supportive of her teammates. Wish I could of seen her play but we got plenty of time for that.

Wilson-Raw talent is obvious. She needs to get upper body strength to take contact in the paint. This is where I noticed Chatrice White and Alyssia Rice. Rice blocked her shot and she couldn't move either one of them out of the way for a rebound or shot. Just a strength thing that will come at the next level. She will be a truly special player. I hope she choses UCONN. Her and Stewart would be a formidable tandem.


I hope you enjoyed this little recap. If there is anyone player you wanna know about just drop me a line and I will tell you what I saw.

GO UCONN!!!
 
HuskyFan1125 said:
Ok Boneyarder's!!

We stayed for the boys game. Feed the monsters (children) and now for an update. First and foremost, its an interesting game. I think each team shot 20% (a lot of missed shots). It took me about 10 minutes to figure the players out because the numbers when catching the light and were really hard to make out. So this took me some time to figure out who was who. I will comment on the players that stood out in the live to me and then I will add some tidbits about the UCONN commits/recruit.


Jordin Canada--WOW. She was dandy. Looked and acted like a true PG. She impressed me with her passing and heady play. UCLA got a great player in her. There was something about how she handled herself on the court and how she was always looking up. She was just impressive. I know Turner won MVP but Canada was the best player on the West squad in my eyes.

Shakayla Thomas--ATHLETE. Explosive! If the Canada was the best player on West, Thomas was for the East. She was fast on offense and defense. Nice moves to the basket. Just and all around athletic smart player. Had the East won she would have been MVP.

Ariel Atkins--She is really gonna help Texas. Smart player. Good Athlete. Drives to basket, mid range game was there. Fearless.

Post Players:

Interesting thing I was most interested in Aja Wilson and Brianna Turner. I came away impressed with 2 players I knew least about Chatrice White and Alyssia Rice. White I had never heard of had a lot of rebounds. No idea how many but she is a smart player. Rice was the first player I noticed when I saw them warming up. Big strong body, had some nice blocks. I don't think either of them scored that much but I liked both their games. Just good solid fundamental basketball.

What is interesting about the post players is that in HS most of them probably are used to bringing the ball up the court with ease because they are so much more athletic and better players. It was interesting seeing them do this when they are playing with equally athletic guards. Turner tried this the most. Many times she tried to lead a fast break or take the ball the distance and she struggled with handling in the open court with the fast athletic guards.

Cuevas(South Carolina) and McCarty (Texas) are small PG's. Cuevas is a daring PG. She will need to learn to play team ball and pass but this is hardly the game to bring that up.

Cowling (California) looked good. Made a monster block that got an applause from the crowd. She scored in double figures I am sure.


For our Duke Fans: Belton will be like Chidom or McCravey. Strong post player.

UCONN Commits/Recruit:

Edwards started so I was expecting her to be electric. She made some nice drives to the basket but that was about it. I think ( like most of them) she was trying to hard. She strikes me as the kind of player, particularly point guard, that does well in a structured offense where she knows what to do and what is expected. A couple of times I saw her trying to direct traffic but in a game like this its too much individual basketball and not a lot of offense execution. I think she will be good at UCONN under GA and staff.

Williams was not using crutches which made me happy!!! She is a legit 6ft and was smiling on the bench and very supportive of her teammates. Wish I could of seen her play but we got plenty of time for that.

Wilson-Raw talent is obvious. She needs to get upper body strength to take contact in the paint. This is where I noticed Chatrice White and Alyssia Rice. Rice blocked her shot and she couldn't move either one of them out of the way for a rebound or shot. Just a strength thing that will come at the next level. She will be a truly special player. I hope she choses UCONN. Her and Stewart would be a formidable tandem.


I hope you enjoyed this little recap. If there is anyone player you wanna know about just drop me a line and I will tell you what I saw.

GO UCONN!!!
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Nicely done. Pretty much agree with everything you saw.
 
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DaddyChoc said:
that wont happen when she gets to UConn... so she better enjoy it #GenoRules
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That's a flagrant foul. Way too harsh and premature. We ALL know Geno prefers not to start frosh (like most coaches) unless absolutely necessitated by adverse circumstance, but how about we allow her to set foot on campus before making unsubstantiated judgements.
 
The really great ones stand out. I didn't see anyone in that category.
 
doggydaddy said:
The really great ones stand out. I didn't see anyone in that category.
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True dat. I did not see a Moore, DT, Stewart or Parker there.

Next year maybe?
 
HUSFAN: you sure earned your keep with those observations. Appreciated here - we were fotunate to have you on scene.

UCM: Nice to get your well-schooled take as well...thank you.
 
meyers7 said:
McDonald's Girls AA game is tonight. 7:00 ESPNU. Set your DVRs.

UCONN has 1 player playing - Sadie Edwards (#14 East). Gabby Williams (#1 West) will be there, but can't play due to her knee injury. (Nurse - Canadian, and Ekmark - did not play HS ball were not eligible to be selected.)

Also #1A'ja Wilson (#22 East) will be playing. Some others to watch for:

Notre Dame's - #2Brianna Turner (#11 West) and #20Kathryn Westbeld (#33 East)
South Carolina's - #32Bianca Cuavas (#1 East) and #7Jatarie White (#40 East)
UCLA's (3) - #5Jordin Canada (#21 West), Recee Caldwell (#5 West), and #9Lajahna Drummer (#12 West)
Duke's - Lynee Belton (#34 East) and #11Sierra Calhoun (#4 East)
Tennessee's - #27Alexa Middleton (#23 East) and #14Jaime Nared (#30 West)
Louisville's - #23Myisah Hines-Allen (#2 East)
Ohio State's - #3 Kelsey Mitchell (#3 East)

Rankings (per Vowelguy's composite), numbers/team in parenthesis.
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My take on last night. Yes, it was only 1 game, so this is no reflection of the player they will become. Turner was very good. Impressed with Atkins and the kid going to Fl State was awesome (should have been MVP). Edwards didn't seem to have a great game.
The female announcer talked about how well TN developed bigs, how SC would be loaded with Aja, and how NC would be with Aja and Diamond together, and 100 times how amazing UCLA's class is #1. Think she doesn't want Aja at Uconn? No mention that Aja Stewart, and Kiah would probably break the shot blocking record Uconn established this year or that Aja at Uconn would make them the #1 class. They said only 3 of Uconn's 4 recruits are in the top 100 (forgot to mention the other one is on the Canadian Olympic team)
TN kids Middleton - lots of skill, will score, but being small and not super fast will need help getting open. Nared will be a very solid post, not a superstar, think Kiah.
S. Carolina will have to live or die with Cuavas who reminds me of the PG a few years ago from NYC who went to Ohio State, lots of moves, talent, but she will have to show the ability to be great when things slow down.
 
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asuwish said:
S. Carolina will have to live or die with Cuavas who reminds me of the PG a few years ago from NYC who went to Ohio State, lots of moves, talent, but she will have to show the ability to be great when things slow down.
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Samantha Prahalis (SammyP) - that was my first thought as well but I think it is unfair - she had mad skills but was not a very coachable kid, and her emotions ruled her play from highest of highs to complete melt downs.
 
My string of MikeyD turn offs before halftime is alive. The whistle could have blown twice on every possession. I would have enjoyed seeing a ball handler actually move laterally. Was like wind sprints with basketballs. Obvious athleticism all around. I think there were a few people on that court that were farther along than Wilson but I don't think quick impressions are reliable. When you look at Williams at Duke and Russell at Tennessee it is good to remember that high school athlete rankings are fragmented and highly subjective very often. Glad Wilson gave a few tid bits out without saying too much. Should be good for another 150 posts in the current A'ja sighting string. :rolleyes:
 
Replicant said:
That's a flagrant foul. Way too harsh and premature. We ALL know Geno prefers not to start frosh (like most coaches) unless absolutely necessitated by adverse circumstance, but how about we allow her to set foot on campus before making unsubstantiated judgements.
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CCC397025.jpg
 
winlots said:
GENO: Not to worry. MYERS and I have a strange and wonderful occasional relationship. He has been wooing me for years, and I've finally come to see him for what he is. As he likes to say: "They all come around eventually." Even slow learners like myself.
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I figured as much! I'm hoping to develop a friend on the board before I kick the bucket! Soon to be 56- hope I have enough time!
 
UcMiami said:
I watched the first half and couldn't take any more. The uniforms were UGLY and the numbers were impossible to read so it was hard to tell who was who. And the play was typical of these things - really ugly with just a few nice passes.
Meyers - that looks like a pretty good take on the players that I noticed during the first half. Agree about Middleton and those were the comparisons I thought of too, but I think she may be height challenged - she is listed at 5'8" but I thought the announcers said she was shorter.
Cuevas definitely has some NYC in her game - first though was SammyP but that is probably unfair.
Belton and Thomas both look to have college ready builds and some skill
Wilson and Turner are likely to have Stewart type struggles their first year in college dealing with the physicality - neither have Stewarts mad talent nor experience coming in, but they both have similar body types and could develop well. Unless they really change their body types over their college careers, no one is going to want to play them at center nor as a traditional power forward. Neither have the bulk of a Stef or even an Achonwa, nor the muscle of a Thomas or Chiney.
Expand ...
I agree; I've always said A'ja will be best at small forward.
 
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UcMiami said:
Samantha Prahalis (SammyP) - that was my first thought as well but I think it is unfair - she had mad skills but was not a very coachable kid, and her emotions ruled her play from highest of highs to complete melt downs.
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Bianca definitely needs her game refined, but Dawn Staley has such a similar background, I think they'll really be able to relate to each other.
 
Geno-ista said:
I figured as much! I'm hoping to develop a friend on the board before I kick the bucket! Soon to be 56- hope I have enough time!
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still a kid next to me,i am 63
 
after watching a bit of the first half, i found myself wondering what on earth the purpose of this game is. if it's supposed to highlight what these best high school players can do, it fails miserably. watching brianna turner grabbing a rebound and madly dribbling the length of the court( 2 or 3 straight possessions) reminded me of some youth league game where there is one player bigger and stronger than everybody else. i thought the whole thing was pointless.
 
triaddukefan said:
A front line of Coates, White, and Wilson could be "hands down" the best front line in the SEC going forward
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Don't forget Aleighsa Welch. She is our best player, in my opinion, even though Tiffany Mitchell was SEC POTY. Alaina Coates will likely be the best next season, though, as she has more upside.
 
cockhrnleghrn said:
Don't forget Aleighsa Welch. She is our best player, in my opinion, even though Tiffany Mitchell was SEC POTY. Alaina Coates will likely be the best next season, though, as she has more upside.
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Welch and Mitchell are good players. I'm not impressed with the SEC so POY (the T is silent) doesn't move me.
 
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