Hit the 'Cuse Saturday for another tournament hosted by the Syracuse Nets - another one with both boys & girls brackets. The Nets have been on the boys' circuit for a few years, with their first truly solid group that put them on the regional radar being from the Class of '13. The girls teams have really just got going - but in this tournament, it was the girls' bracket that left me much more impressed than a pretty meager boys' side. Only a couple names worth mentioning from that side, where the girls had more than that on one team. Let's get into it, first the two boys.
Dan Masino (Fairport/Eastside Basketball; 2017) - Saw him for the first time last spring on the circuit and thought 'he's a year away from being a solid player'. He skipped solid and went right to being a force. The 6'1" Fairport standout (received all-state honors in Class AA) played PG for his team Saturday, and was far & away the best player. Whether they needed a bucket or just to get a play set up, the ball went to him. He's wiry, but it's clear he's no stranger to the weight room, and has the type of game where you can tell he's a gym rat. Definitely a kid to keep an eye on.
Jim Grabowski (Bishop Ludden/BBA Nets; 2016) - Grabowski has a scorer's mentality and got it going on Saturday. Formerly a West Genesee Wildcat, he plans on transferring to Syracuse private school Bishop Ludden, who lost in the Class AA sectional final, to complete his senior year and hopefully get a better on-the-court experience. Everything about his game is a little unorthodox, from his jab steps & fakes to his shooting release, but it certainly works for him and he keeps defenders off balance. He got going early in their 2nd game and had a stretch where the hoop was as big as the ocean - potential to rack up a lot of points in a short period of time. 6'4" wing with muscle, he can finish through contact and rebounds well. Very hard worker. Should fit well with the Gaelic Knights next year.
Time for the more extensive list of girls.
Most Impressive Team - Easy call here, gotta go with Binghamton based BNY Select. They had numerous kids I liked a lot, and there wasn't much of a drop-off from 1st to 2nd string. Everyone has potential to play at the next level on the team, with a couple potential scholarship level. Team full of 9th & 10th graders that dominated in 2 Ws in the 12th grade division, and they worked from beginning to end each game. It's a program run through the BX training facility, and their 4 practice per week schedule includes on-court and weight room work. That means many will not be able to participate much in the league this summer, but you can see the work paying off, as they were in better shape than their opponents.
Lexi Levy (Seton Catholic/BNY Select-Hawkins; 2017) - Scholarship level guard that made 1st team all-state in Class B this year. She has a scorer's mentality and will let it fly, but with good reason - true 30-40 point potential when she gets it going. Quick enough & good handle to get by a defender and get to the rack, strong enough to finish through contact, range to the parking lot and still has the ability to pull up from mid-range. Very well-rounded offensive game. Shot was off Saturday by her standards and did a nice job opening her game up to set up others in a high-powered offense. Has the quickness, anticipation, and toughness to be a pain on the defensive end too. I'm assuming she's on your radar already.
Erin Nolan (Susquehanna Valley/BNY Select-Hawkins; 2017) - Strong 6'2" post player that was a focal point for Class B state champs Susquehanna Valley is really making noticeable strides. She appears to be in better shape than just two months ago, and has added some quickness to guard stretch 4s & the occasional wing on the perimeter to go with rarely-matched strength down low. This combo makes her difficult to run pick & roll offenses against. Hard worker rebounding at both ends and finishes well. Has a solid go-to and counter move at each side in the post, has good hands, and can step out to hit the mid-range J. With the strides she's making, definitely could see her eventually going scholarship level.
Alani Gallagher (Vestal/BNY Select-Hawkins; 2017) - The coach's daughter is certainly making strides as well. Looked pretty strong for just coming off a recent injury. Athletic 6'0"+ post with long arms, she'll get off the ground and go get the ball instead of letting it come to her. Scrappy, keeps the play alive and has a developing offensive game down low. Good rim protector on D and also has some quickness. The people tell me she's made tremendous strides over the last year - with that athleticism, there's a great deal of potential.
Holly Manchester (Susquehanna Valley/BNY Select-Hawkins; 2018) - One of my favorite players to watch. You probably wouldn't think much of her in the layup lines, as her short, slender frame doesn't exactly make her look the part - then she surprises the bejesus out of you over & over again until you realize she's the real deal. Very high basketball IQ and a true pass-first point guard looking to get everyone involved. She can whip a pass through traffic long distances... with either hand. Deceptively quick and evasive with the handle, and she can be a capable scorer if the situation requires. She's smart enough to know when those situations are. Going to be a blast to watch the next three years.
Vivian Ladd (Johnson City/BNY Select-Hawkins; 2018) - Another one of my favorites to watch. Ladd has that 'old man in the church league that's still dropping 20 even though he can't jump over a phone book' game. Smart and does a great job reading her defender. Has shot fakes, head fakes, pass fakes, jab steps for days. Loves to get into her defender and make the stepback dribble to her left into the jumper. Not afraid of contact - actually invites it. You can tell she'll continue to expand her game, and she has the type of game that will make her good for a long time.
Hanna Strawn (Seton Catholic/BNY Select-Constantine; 2018) - Hanna Strawn does Hanna Strawn things. Haven't found a coach that isn't in love with her game yet. Another one where height isn't exactly in the genes, but she's fearless and finishes extremely well at the basket for her size. Extends well, can put some English on the ball, and will use her body as a shield. Energy for days, doesn't stop working at either end. Another true PG but can fill it up, and she has a pure shooting stroke that stretches to about 22 feet. At her young age, she's already a leader - maybe the best communicator at any age level, boys or girls, at this tournament.
Kiersten Leos (Camden/Syracuse Nets-Dufrane; 2016) - One of two people who were really able to do anything against BNY Select Saturday morning. The standout wing has a knack for finishing in whatever possible way, and has done it at her high school to the tune of over 1,000 points so far. She was able to get into the gaps of the zone and convert a few times from 12-15 feet, both jumpers and floaters. Hard-nosed girl that can also get to the rack and isn't afraid of contact.
Beth Bonin (Cicero-North Syracuse/Syracuse Nets-Dufrane; 2016) - Naturally, the other one who stood up to the test. She ran the point for Dufrane's team and occasionally was on an island. Beth is one of the more consistent players out there - you know what you're going to get from her and it doesn't vary much. She doesn't have those crazy off games. Well-rounded game, crafty handle, can fill it up but is also unselfish. Very quick and a smart defender - she gets hands on passes and turns it into fast break opportunities.
Angela Bussone (Jamesville-Dewitt/Syracuse Nets-Gantos; 2017) - Took a while for me to get a read on her, but it's becoming clear now. She looks to have improved over the last few months. Doesn't look to get to the rack too much from the PG spot, but has a real knack for finishing in various ways when she does. Evasive at the rim with an array of scoops, floaters, extends well and can really put some English on it off the backboard. Unorthodox, low shooting release but gets it off quick enough to make up for it and shot a high percentage from 3. Improving drastically on defense and is smart enough to cause problems for good perimeter scorers when she puts her mind to it. Reminds me a bit of local product Olivia Luciani, who just finished a solid 4 year career at Buff State (including breaking season and career marks for made 3s).
Julia Kelner (Jamesville-Dewitt/Syracuse Nets-Gantos; 2017) - Rotation post player for Class A state runner-up J-D is really starting to come into her own this spring. 6'1" with a basketball body and can run the floor like a guard. Liked lacrosse more in years past, but has recently decided to focus predominantly on basketball, which will pay big dividends. I have seen 6'1"-6'2" Class of 2017 girls with interest from scholarship level schools that she is better than. Her coach raved about how much she has progressed. Already a force on the defensive end and just catching up at the other end. An improving offensive game will put her smack in the middle of the radar.
Danielle Rauch (Bishop Ludden/Syracuse Nets-Gantos; 2018) - Surefire Division I player that already has offers on the table. Only made it for the 2nd game and took it easy after getting up big. 5'9" (at least) point guard without any weaknesses. She can score, set others up, defend, has the physical tools & a high basketball IQ. Don't have to type as much about her because that says it all. May end up going HM when all is said & done.
Chelsea VanTassel (General Brown/Syracuse Nets-Gantos; 2018) - Who knew the Frontier League had some hidden gems? When I was told 'yeah that's the General Brown girl', I was truly surprised. A wing with a body much like the aforementioned Rauch, she can get up & down the court faster than almost everyone with relative ease. Can produce in the half-court, but is a terror in a fast break game. Has the ability to set up others & can defend multiple positions. Appears coachable with a good attitude on the court. Apparently is a heck of an athlete all-around - has been the starting GK on her varsity soccer team since 8th grade and is batting .536 in this, her 3rd year of varsity softball. Who knows what her top sport is?
You never know who's watching, who's reading, who's paying attention... show me what you got and you might be the next one on the list!
Don't forget, it's not too late to hold your spot for the league this summer. Scroll through the blog for various info including the league overview, alternate status information, payment info, and FAQs. Fill out & submit recruiting packet info at www.empirestatetakeover.org/en/Forms/ to hold your spot!
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