Zaire Hicks
Anna Jones pushes in transition at the CoachHemi.com Showcase. *Photo by Nakita Hemingway.
LEBANON, Tenn. -- Coach Jonathan Hemingway put together the second annual CoachHemi.com Spring Showcase at Wilson Central High School. This unique, once a year showcase provided basketball players a combination of high level skill training as well as exposure to national scouting services in a personalized setting. This was the perfect time for high school prospects of all ages to get a tune-up before the spring exposure tournaments begin.
Tyra Johnson of Decatur, Ala., showed a very versatile game at the showcase. She is a playmaking guard with good court vision. Johnson shoots the ball well from the perimeter and also has the ability to create scoring opportunities off the dribble.
Kahliya Murry of Murfreesboro, Tenn., was very active on the boards and scores on put backs by keeping the ball high. The 5-foot-11 forward is very vocal on the floor and also from the bench. She is always focused on the game.
Perhaps the biggest stock riser of the event was Jaida Roper of Memphis, Tenn. The athletic lead guard slashed into the lane and created scoring opportunities for her teammates. Although a capable scorer, she was a willing distributor in this setting.
Abby Buckner, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., showed her ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter. The 5-9 small forward has range beyond the arc and also possesses a high basketball I.Q.
Taylor Freeman of Murfreesboro, Tenn., pushes the ball in transition and creates scoring opportunities off the dribble. Standing at 5-7, her solid frame allows her to score with contact and her defensive game is enhanced by the quickness of her hands.
Lauren Fields of Nashville, Tenn., is a lanky framed post that plays tall and big for her age. She has good footwork and made good moves on offense without putting the ball in the floor. Her game will improve as she gets stronger.
Zaire Hicks of Olive Branch, Miss., is a playmaking point guard with good court vision. She handles the ball well with good change of direction. She made back-to-back pinpoint passes for scoring opportunities.
Emiline Payne of Gallatin, Tenn., displayed solid skills on both ends of the floor. The 5-9 guard is not a flashy player but she makes the smart play. She used her body well when taking the ball to the basket. Payne does the little things well and has a nice release on her shot.
Anna Jones of Jackson, Tenn., is a good shooter with her feet set. However, she showed aggressiveness with the dribble to attack the rim and draw fouls. She runs the floor well in transition and has the ability to gather herself at full speed.
Peck is the owner of Dream In Motion Athletics and is a national evaluator for the JumpOffPlus.com National Scouting Report. He also serves as a on-floor skills coach at the Elite Basketball Academy events. He can be reached at StephenPeck@peachstatebasketball.com.
