First half observations:
Durr and Samuelson are the best players on the team. Durr plays solid athletic defense, when I think a lot of kids their age sort of avoid playing defense on every single play. She doesn't take a play off. Samuelson can do it all. Dribble, pass, shoot, play defense - she's not as athletic as Durr, but also obviously takes pride in playing it and works hard.
Cox had some nice moments. She's a year younger and not at the same level as Samuelson, but she's a year younger. Bigger, stronger, and pretty mobile for a kid her size. Like her game a lot.
Anna Wilson (Stanford) is a solid guard as is Ogunbowale (WI). Neither did anything spectacular but both were solid when out there. I was a tad more impressed with Wilson out of the pair. Chou (TX) has potential and is a solid player, but didn't do much. Ionescu is the same age as Chou and I was more impressed with her, but she didn't get much PT for some reason. She reminds me of Sue Bird...
Mulkey doesn't really intrigue me, but Holmes (TX), and to a lesser extend, Burke do. Holmes is bigger and stronger, but Burke (looked about 6'1" to Holmes' 6'2 or 6'3") played well, is athletic, and knows where to position herself for rebounds. Both players missed layups, but Holmes especially looked good putting the ball on the floor and driving to the basket.
Boykin got a lot of PT and seemed to be "relied" on, but didn't do much in the way of stats. Was actually more impressed with Holmes and Burke than Boykin.
Second half observations:
Boykin had a much better 2nd half. some steals, layups, logged a lot of minutes but did more visible things with her time on the court in the 2nd half. Side note - when on the bench, Durr either sat next to Boykin or Samuelson almost the entire time. Just a random observation FWIW...
REALLY liked Ionescu's (CA)game - she came in about the last 7-8 minutes and impacted the game from everywhere. More athletic than Bird at the same age, not as good a shooter, but she was everywhere getting steals, deflections, pestering the French guards, and scoring as well. Reminded me a bit of Faris on defense. Thinner of course, but same type of athleticism and intensity. Oh, and she's got ball handling and scoring skills Kelly didn't possess at the same age. Sign this kid NOW!
She, Cox and Holmes were the next 3 most impressive kids on the team for different reasons...
Cox also impressed as well. Kid is a bit raw, but you can see the potential. Seems much more a forward than a wing at this time. Needs to work on ball handling and outside shooting, but again, a lot of potential. Oh, and all of the US post players managed to make layups in the 2nd half. Their allergy to the basket seemed to disappear LOL...
Even Mulkey played better in the 2nd half. Of the kids who may not be on our rader, IMHO Joyner Holmes should be.
Given that Chou and Cox seem likely to go to school in their own states, I think a full court press on Ionescu is called for. Would love to land that kid. And if UCONN isn't already recruiting Holmes, they should be.
