It’s that time again.
Fresh off a grinding but enjoyable four days at the USJN/Nike National Championships in Washington, D.C., I’ll again take on the roll of college coach and breakdown some of the top performers of the weekend. There were similar teams from Blue Chip USA Invitational tournament at Penn State, but plenty of new face to get fresh look at.
Here are my observations about a handful of New York City’s best players:
G 5-6 Mei-Lyn Bautista, Jr. HS 158 2015 (Mary Louis)
There has been plenty of hype surrounding the rising freshman and this was my first really good look at her. I left impressed. Her understanding of the game and pass-first mentality is rare for someone her age. While she struggled against a big and athletic Boo Williams team, she made all the plays – jumpers, assists, steals – down the stretch of a NYC Heat win over South Medford. It’s her mental toughness that going to make her special to watch the next four years.
F 5-11 Taylor Butigian, Christ the King 2013
The expansion of her game is noticeable, but now it’s about consistency. The rising junior has added an improved perimeter shot to her arsenal and is starting to knock down 3-pointers with regularity for the NYC Warriors. Butigian has always been a quality rebounder. Now she is even strong with the ball when she does after it and brings out down.
G 6-1 Sierra Calhoun, Christ the King 2014
The rising sophomore is beyond where former Royals star Bria Smith was at this point in her career when it comes to knocking down jump shots. She isn’t afraid to stop on a dime and pull the trigger. Calhoun’s length and speed has turned her into one of the Philly Belles Elite’s stoppers. She needs to get stronge going to the basket and I’m dying to see her on a team where she needs to be a star. As her game continues to expand, the future is very bright.
F 6-1 Batouly Camara, Blair Academy 2014
The little-known forward opened some eyes this weekend. The rising sophomore finished everything around the basket for coach Jaywana Bradley and the Long Island Lightning. Camara is athletic, mobile and can already hit the mid-range jump shot. All the physical tools are there and with a little work, improved ball handling and perimeter skills with come. She will be someone to keep an eye on from here on out.
G 5-8 Jasmine Davis, Francis Lewis 2012
Say what you want about her, Davis is a winning player. The rising senior does everything well. Davis is a pain in the neck to keep out of the lane, can knock down jumpers and defend forwards. Her ability to excel at multiple positions has made it tough for college coaches to evaluate her. Just remember she is a coachable do-it-all guard with unquestioned heart.
G 5-6 Alexa (Weazel) Dietrich, Archbishop Molloy 2013
A few weeks back I wrote how the Molloy rising junior needs to look to shoot more when she has a quality shot and that’s exactly what she did this weekend. Dietrich hit a 3-pointer and a huge long jump shots in the bronze bracket final to lift the NYC Lady Bulldogs to the title. If you combine a little more offense with her ability to run a team and defend, the college coaches will begin to line up.
G 5-8 Shelby Powell, South Shore 2012
The Vikings offense will be in her capable hands next season. The rising senior is a combination of strength and speed. She is tough to keep away from the basket and can rebound in the paint and start transition. Powell needs to show the ability to knock down the jumper consistently to round out her game.
F 6-1 Fannisha Price, South Shore 2012
Price’s weight has become a sticking point with prospective college coaches, but there is no denying the rising senior’s skills. She has some of the best hands in the city, is an exceptional passer and is a beast on the boards on loan to New Heights from the Gauchos. Oh and did I mention Price can knock down the perimeter jumper with ease? More coaches need to take a look at this potential steal.
Quick hits: Bishop Ford’s Jill Conroy, playing for the NYC Warriors, continues to show a fearlessness attacking the basket that will complement her dead-eye jump shot. … Bulldogs guard Brooke Gerstman, who goes to Lynbrook, is going to make some college coach very happy. She can shoot the lights out and is more athletic than most spot-up shooters. … Lab Museum United’s Jenny Ramirez was one of the bright spots for Lightning Dingle showing off her ability to score at will going to the basket and super bounciness in step on both ends. … Bergtraum’s Dionne Coe of New Heights gets better, quicker and more dynamic each time she takes the court.