Jenna Brown
BUFORD, Ga., - Prospects from all over the Southeast packed into Bogan Park in early March to tune up for the upcoming travel season. The EBA Top 40 Camp provided the stage for players to get their names onto a national platform while also playing live on SUVtv. Here is a look back at a few of the players that stood above the rest at Sunday’s camp.
The camp featured two guards that immediately go into our ELITE 25 watch-list for the class of 2018. Point guard Jenna Brown of Marietta, Ga., showed once again that she could create plays from the perimeter and score in the lane off of the bounce. At 5 feet 9 she already possesses the length that will give her an edge over her opponents. Madisen Smith of Greenville, S.C., proved to be equally potent with her production at the camp. The 5-5 lead guard played with supreme confidence powering to the hole for finishes and hounding ball handlers with her bulldog mentality on defense.
Class of 2018 Santavia Macomson of Greenville, S.C., was one of multiple talented players that represented the Palmetto State on Sunday afternoon. She punished defenders on the block by scoring with her back to the basket. Macomson also powered past them when facing up from the elbow area. The 5-9 forward was one of the more effective interior players at the camp.
Speaking of effective interior players, Brandi Rivers of Orangeville, S.C., proved to be a reliable post scorer on the block. Standing at 5-11, the class of 2018 center converted a high number of paint shots in game play.
We came away impressed with the upside of class of 2018 wing Tori Reed of Rising Fawn, Ga., after the early morning session. At 5-10 she is a high energy player who is willing to rebound and hustle across the court. However, she showed she could hit the long range jumper as well as any wing forward in the camp.
Class of 2019 forward NaKaya Hughes of Champaign, Ill., may have travelled the most hours to compete at the camp. Given her young age and trajectory of talent, we do not expect this to be the last time to see her compete versus elite competition. The left-handed swing forward showed the versatility of being able to rebound on the interior while being able to face up on the offensive end.
Class of 2018 combo-post Elysa Wesolek Charleston, S.C., made a great impression on our staff after her performance on Sunday morning. Her footwork around the basket allows her to score over defenders, but her soft touch on her jumper gives us the thought that she will be a great high-low player for years to come.
Class of 2018 Caria Reynolds of Stone Mountain, Ga., is another productive interior player that made plays around the bucket. Her footwork and soft touch make her a threat any time she gets the ball in a one-on-one situation. She seems to be moving even more fluidly up and down the floor than we have seen her in previous evaluations.
We are pleased with the progression that class of 2018 guard Sydnee Jackson of Suwanee, Ga., is making. She showed the ability to handle the ball with her head up while also using both hands to handle. Her good athleticism makes her a threat to make plays on both ends of the floor.
Class of 2019 combo guard Caroline Wysocki of Flowery Branch, Ga., may have had the play of the morning with a game winning shot in sudden death overtime. Yet it was her smooth skill that gained the attention of our staff even before the game winner. Wysocki has a polished offensive skill set that allows her to make a number of plays from either guard position.
Hemingway is the Assistant Director of Scouting for the JumpOffPlus.com National Scouting Report. He can be reached at jonathanhemingway@peachstatebasketball.com.
