Erin DeGrate
Temple commit Alliya Butts held her own in her matchup with Exodus NYC point guard Bianca Cuevas. *Photo by Ty Freeman.
AUGUSTA, Ga. The ELITE32 Summer Jam II wrapped up in the same manner it started, with highly touted players going head-to-head as the summer viewing period drew to an end.
Alliya Butts (Edgewater Park, N.J.), Philly Freedom Stars Elite-2014
The saying that big things come in small packages was never more apparent with the explosive play of Alliya Butts. The class of 2014 point guard plays with a passion and intensity that is matched by few. The development of her game has rapidly improved with the hard work that she put in during the off season and throughout the summer. The desire to win and the effort that she puts forth on both ends of the floor are key combinations for success.
The finals of the Prospects Nation bracket featured the Philly Freedom Stars and Exodus NYC. The stage was set for a stellar matchup at all positions, most notably at point guard. Butts would go head-to-head with Bianca Cuevas, both ELITE 100 prospects in the rising senior class. The match up proved to be one of the best showdowns of the final days of the evaluation period. Butts matched baskets with Cuevas down the stretch both inside and out. The fearlessness and competiveness that Butts showed as the game was on the line was impressive. She drained a shot from well beyond the arc and made a play on the defensive end by chasing down the speedy Cuevas and deflecting her shot. There will be many more exciting games in the future for the Temple commit.
#ProspectsNationTV offers a video recap on day two action, including highlights from the days best games and players:
AROUND THE RIM
♦ The play of Erin DeGrate, a class of 2015 player for United Elite Black, was impressive. The 6-foot-4 center made her presence known in a big way today. The-left handed Texan made several great plays around the rim with nice touch and footwork. Also impressive is how she runs the floor at her size. She made a couple of baskets in transition, catching the ball a full speed, gathering herself and finishing at the rim.
♦ Kyla Allison of Florida Flight showed the makings of a great scorer. The 5-11 small forward has the ability to score from anywhere on the floor, as was evident as she hit several shots from beyond the arc and was able to penetrate and score off the dribble. The 2016 prospect played better as the weekend went on.
♦ Alexandra Frazier, the 5-9 prospect in the class of 2015, plays with incredible energy. The rising junior point guard has unbelievable elevation on her jump shot and is also a relentless rebounder. She was part of a trio of guards for the Georgia Hoopstars which included class of 2014 guards Genesis Perryman and Brianna Williams. Perryman is a good perimeter shooter that stretches defenses while Williams is one of the best on ball defenders that we have seen. Follow @StephenPeckPSB
