4th Annual EST Upstate Fall Showcase: Morning Session

On October 7, the courts at the Pat Riley Sports Center at Schenectady High School turned into fertile grounds for competitive girls’ basketball, as 102 athletes took the court over the course of the day at the 4^th Annual EST Upstate Fall Showcase. Coaches from 30 colleges, between Division 2, Division 3, and NJCAA, were on hand to evaluate the talent in the gym, which represented many of the Capital District’s top high school players along with additional talent from Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Binghamton, Elmira, Oneonta, Poughkeepsie, northern NY, Springfield (MA), and everywhere in between. 54 of them took the court in the early session, going from 10:00-1:00. After buzzing around the gym during the event, I was able to take the time to watch all of the 5v5 action on film over the course of the following week. Below are just some of the notes taken on a selection of the players that took the court (more to come in various outlets):

Olivia Kelley (5’9” F, Averill Park 2019/Saratoga Sparks) – I can only assume that among everyone at the event, not many helped themselves in the eyes of D3 coaches the way Olivia did. She brought her trademark grit & toughness that have been mainstays to her game, but she also showed improvement in her overall game and advancement in her skill set Sunday. She proved to be a capable post scorer, consistently knocking down turnaround jumpers, and her vertical and a high release allow her to get it over taller defenders easily. She also showed willingness to face up and attack from the mid-post area, getting to the rim and to the free throw line on a regular basis.

Ashlynn McKnight (5’7” G, Maine-Endwell 2019) – Ashlynn has been a regular at EST events since last fall’s showcase, and she may have saved her best for last with a very nice showing Sunday. She looked smoother, stronger, and more confident than ever, and she was able to play at a faster pace at the event. An aggressive offensive threat that has been able to score in different ways, what I noticed was how her understanding of the game and ability to read the defense has improved, as she successfully picked her spots and made the right move depending on how she was being guarded to make for an efficient outing.

Gracianna Serravillo (5’8” G, Guilderland 2019 (SUNY New Paltz commit)/Albany Capitals) – Serravillo may have been the heartbreaker of the event – a tough guard that can play/defend 1-3 and does some of everything that has blown up among D3 coaches over the last few months, she also voiced her commitment to perennial SUNYAC contender New Paltz on Sunday. Very nice get for Coach Seward and the Hawks, who have picked up someone that fits their style like a glove. Graci didn’t blow you away with flashiness at the event, but just consistently made solid plays that put her 5v5 team in a position to be successful – which is her calling card. She’s looking smoother offensively & more comfortable with the ball in her hands either as the point or at the wing; looking forward to seeing her continue to grow at the next level.

Kelsey Terrell (5’4” G, Middleburgh 2019) – A Capital District small schooler that most don’t know about, Terrell used the event to make a name for herself among some of the D3 coaches in attendance. A case could be made that she played harder than anyone else in the morning session, getting after it every possession at both ends. She also showed that she was in great physical condition, capable of playing at a different speed than most on the court from start to finish. Kelsey was able to run the show at the point guard, getting the ball where it needed to be. She was able to attack the rim & finish, and she hit the perimeter jumper when given space. Kelsey should be a late bloomer for some Division 3 programs.

Lexi Van Vorst (5’5” G, Columbia 2019/NY Havoc) – Van Vorst, one of the hottest D3 targets in the 2019 class and an EST mainstay since 2016’s summer league, made the most of her EST event swan song. Long known for her ability to score, she has shown growth in her overall game in recent months and that came to the forefront Sunday, with her overall court presence at the point guard spot noticeable throughout the day. She was looking to push tempo with the pass, getting the ball out of her hands quickly & pitching it ahead whenever someone was running the floor. Lexi could also be heard talking to teammates throughout the 5v5 games, both in person & on film. The progression she’s made from being a good player to be a good player & leader has taken her to the next level.

Kelsey Bennett (5’7” G, Hammond 2020/NC Fury) – Kelsey was one of the breakout players of the event, having a strong showing from start to finish in the morning session. She was the best player on the court for a long stretch of her team’s second 5v5 game, seemingly making an impact on nearly every play. She showed the ability to hit the three both off the catch & off the dribble, and she was able to turn defense into offense numerous times, jumping passing lanes to get steals and turn them into transition points. She knows how to space & run the floor, and she’s strong & athletic enough to finish through contact. Her handle has improved to the point that she was a capable ballhandler against pressure in her 5v5 games. A really nice showing for one of northern NY’s best kept secrets.

Graycen Dubin (5’8” Wing, Guilderland 2020/Albany Capitals) – Graycen has started to come into her own over the course of 2018, and Sunday morning was just another example of that. Her activity level at both ends was among the highest of anyone at the event, and she found ways to do the little things to make an impact. She also showed understanding of what to do against certain matchups & how to adjust her game to situations; generally a capable three-point shooter, the shot wasn’t falling Sunday, so she found ways to get to the rim and ended up at the free throw line consistently. Great glue player that makes a lot of winning plays.

Halea Eaton (5’6” G, Norwich 2020/BNY Select) – Where most of my notes about players highlight their offensive prowess, Eaton stuck out at this event on the defensive end. She was a terror on the ball defensively, taking some good guards out of the game with her ability to not only stay in front of them, but being physical in doing so. Quick hands, quick feet, physical toughness, and a mindset to be willing to defend 94 feet makes for someone that can change a game defensively, and that’s become a calling card for Halea. On the offensive end, she showed good decision making as the PG, doing a good job keeping her head up and pitching the ball ahead quickly when available on what was an uptempo 5v5 team.

Charli Goverski (5’9” Wing, Mechanicville 2020) – Goverski is a bit of an unknown to college coaches at this point because of the smaller school/local AAU combo, but she showed things at the event that many coaches in attendance should’ve been intrigued by. Charli has good size for her position, a pure stroke on the jumper and range pushing well beyond even the college 3 point line. With her offensive skill set & off-ball IQ, she projects as more of a 2 guard at the collegiate level, although she will play some point in high school.

Georgia Haverlock

Georgia Haverlock (5’7” G, Ithaca 2020/Elmira Lady Fusion) – You could make a strong case that #19 in red was the breakout player of the event as a whole. Georgia was dominant offensively in stretches and was one of the best at breaking her defender down off the dribble and getting into the lane out of anyone. Once she got into the lane, she showed the ability to finish in various ways, using different finishing moves at different angles with either hand. She also has solid court vision and can quickly hit the open player when an extra defender commits. When given space, she showed she could hit the J with range to the 3 point line. She also possesses quick hands & feet defensively and can be a pest when she wants to be. Her overall game is smooth & fun to watch. Georgia gave some ‘bigger name’ guards the business at this event – interested in seeing what level her recruitment gets to in the near future.

Mikyla Mitchell (5’6” G, Scotia-Glenville 2020) – As someone that has been watching Mikyla consistently for over two years now, I was happy with what I saw from her in Sunday’s morning session. She showcased the athletic burst, quickness, and athleticism that has been her calling card, often making defenders look silly while getting all the way to the rim. What I was more impressed with though was her decision making, change of speed, and use of an in-between game. Mikyla was willing to pull up and shoot the midrange jumper when the help was in front of the rim, and her change of speeds & effective use of jab steps only made her first step burst more dangerous. Her head was up and she was able to hit teammates up ahead in transition, and she showed more willingness/capability of getting the ball into the post than most PGs at the event.

Mikyla Mitchell

Sydney Lusher (5’10” G, Oneida 2021/Syracuse Royals) – Syd is starting to emerge as a potential force in the 2021 class, and so much of it has to do with confidence. Her skill level and physical capabilities have always been there – now, she’s looking more willing to take a chance and make an impact on the game. She possesses the kind of versatility that I love, being able to play both on and off the ball offensively & also being able to guard 1-3 on defense. Her length and ability to cover ground and play passing lanes also makes her a good zone defender. The shot was falling for her on Sunday, as she lit it up for a stretch in their first 5v5 game knocking down threes off the catch, both in the half-court and in transition.

Kate Peek (5’9” Wing, Our Lady of Lourdes 2021) – Kate was one of the purest shooters at the event in either session, and she put on a three-point shooting clinic as the morning went on. Over two 5v5 games, she hit close to 10 threes. Her shooting stroke is pure, and although she’s more comfortable shooting it off the catch, she’s capable of knocking down the three off the dribble as well. She also has good off-ball IQ and relocates well at the wing, which helps free herself up. 

Sophia Wakin (5’10” F, Delaware Academy 2021) – The first thing that caught my eye about Sophia is that she’s put on a lot of muscle over the last few months, and she was one of the more well-built forwards in the morning session. She runs the floor well and scored several times in transition after beating her defender up the court on straight line rim runs. She plays hard at both ends, at one time getting a layup in transition and then sprinting back to block the shot of a player a few inches taller than her at the rim. Wakin was also active on the glass at both ends and found herself at the free throw line several times, more often than not on a second chance opportunity after grabbing an offensive rebound.

Sylvia Liddle

Sylvia Liddle (5’10” Wing, Delaware Academy 2022/NY Havoc) – I had heard of Sylvia’s name as someone that was moved up to the varsity level on Delaware Academy’s 2017-18 Class D state champion team as an 8^th grader, but she first caught my eye at the EST Middle School Combine in May. This was without question the most comfortable I’ve seen Sylvia look among higher level high school players. She showed a little of everything in a wide-ranging offensive skill set, knocking down catch & shoot threes with a quick release, attacking the rim and using athleticism to finish various ways going both left and right, and she was also active attacking the offensive glass. Liddle showed plenty of glimpses throughout the event of why many are becoming excited about her future.

MORNING SESSION PARTICIPANTS

2019

Keely Glasheen

Taylor Hansen

Olivia Kelley

Olivia Langdon

Ashlynn McKnight

Anna Milham

Gracianna Serravillo

Kelsey Terrell

Lexi Van Vorst

2020

Kelsey Bennett

Katie Chisholm

Graycen Dubin

Halea Eaton

Charli Goverski

Georgia Haverlock

Alaina Holmes

Belle Kranbuhl

Abby Lombardoni

Bre Lott

Mikyla Mitchell

Camille Roberts

Mikayla Russo

Ashley Seymour

Ally Shoemaker

Sarah Sieminski

Kiley Snow

Kelsey Wood

2021

Alana Batson

Dezia Becker

Sole Carrington

Julia Harvey

Melanie Hoyt

Anna Lee

Sydney Lusher

Maddisyn Mahoney

Antonia May

Jordyn Meunier

Kate Peek

Sophie Pelton

Mackenzie Searles

Sophia Wakin

2022

Kayleigh Bryant

Sophia Chevrier

Catherine Dadey

Ryleigh Endres

Sarah Jacques

Sylvia Liddle

Katie Marlow

Cassidy McKnight

Francesca Vassilakos

Amelia Wood

2023

Natasha Chudy

Kaetlyn L’Amoreaux

Lauren Patnode


COLLEGES IN ATTENDANCE

Assumption
Le Moyne
St. Rose
St. Thomas Aquinas (2)
Alfred
Hamilton
Hartwick
SUNY Canton
SUNY Cobleskill (2)
SUNY Cortland
SUNY New Paltz
SUNY Oneonta (2)
SUNY Oswego
SUNY Plattsburgh
SUNY Poly
SUNY Potsdam
Rochester (2)
Sage
St. John Fisher
Skidmore
Mt. Holyoke
Smith
Castleton
Green Mountain (2)
Norwich (2)
Southern Vermont
SUNY Delhi
Herkimer
Hudson Valley CC (2)