Jordan Nixon, Sam Brunelle, and more headline the 2017 version of the Philly Face-Off The Philly Face-Off has become an annual stop for our ProspectsNation staff every May. The event sees some of the best programs throughout the northeast compete over a three-day period. With elite club teams comes elite individual talent and as a result, we were on hand for elite matchups throughout the weekend. With the depth of talent at the event and the willingness of all teams involved to compete against geographic and sneaker company rivals, the Philly Face-Off is an example of how summer basketball should be from March to August.
Nixon and iExcel Shine
In the 11th grade bracket, the iExcel club was able to pull off a win and secure the championship of the 2017 Philly Face-Off event. This year’s iExcel team features by 2018 point guard Jordan Nixon and from her first game and through the championship, Nixon made her presence felt as she was both a vocal leader on the floor and a lethal scoring threat on offense. This weekend Nixon showed everyone in attendance that when it comes to being a pure point guard and checking all of the boxes, she was as good as any guard in the country.
Brunelle's Versatility on Display
As one of the most well-rounded scoring threats in the 2019 class, Sam Brunelle showed her offensive feel throughout the weekend as she was able to be a potent offensive threat in multiple games. The 6-foot-2 forward is a tough one on one match up because of her size and ability to make shots over smaller defenders. Brunelle was a reliable threat in the post as she was able to make moves and score over the top of guards and when bigger, slower players were on her, Brunelle would stretch the floor and use her deep shooting range to force them to guard her on the perimeter.
Regional Match-Ups Create Rivalry’s
The concept of iron sharpening iron was on full display this weekend. With some of the best programs in the Northeast going head to head all weekend, everyone was able to benefit. Players were able to hone their skills against elite competition, coaches were able to evaluate where their teams were during a non-evaluation period, and scouting the talent in the building was a lot easier due to the level of competition.
Throughout the weekend there were a few games that seemed to mean more to the people involved. Late in the event, a rematch of an early Spring meeting between New Jersey Sparks 15U and Philly Triple Threat Hargrove gave us one of the most physical games our ProspectsNation staff has seen this Spring. There was also a regional matchup that we saw when Team Takeover EYBL matched up with the Maryland Lady Terps; there were a few games that brought that extra bit of intensity.
Youth Movement
This weekend was an excellent opportunity to watch some of the best young players throughout the northeast. There were standouts from the 2020 and 2021 class that will be fun names to track as they continue to progress through the prep ranks.
Allison Campbell (Central PA Dynamite) – Campbell is a member of the 2020 class who has developed into a scoring point guard with good size at 5-foot-10 and deep shooting range. Over the last year, she has improved as a ball handler and is much more comfortable attacking pressure to make a play off the bounce.
Maya Bokunweicz (Central PA Dynamite) – Bokunweicz left a lasting impression this weekend as we were able to see her growth as a versatile wing scorer. Last summer the 6-foot prospect was still figuring out how to use her skills to impact the game, but this year we were able to see her make shots from the perimeter, set up teammates with the pass, and be a vocal leader for her team.
Mir McLean (Team Takeover) – While it is still early in her prep career, McLean has shown the ability to defend, rebound, and finish with consistency for a 2020 prospect. At 5-foot-10 she is an explosive athlete who will need to expand her perimeter game as her career progresses.
New Names Emerging
One of the best things about Spring events of the caliber of the Philly Face-Off is the emergence of new names and the opportunity for “unheralded” players to establish themselves on a national level. It was something we saw from start to finish this weekend as the standard of competition forced players to elevate their game and rise to the occasion. Here are a few names of players who stood out.
Meg Hair (I-90 Elite) – Due to her ability to impact the game as a slasher and as a defender, Hair has been on our radar since her freshman season. The 5-foot-11 wing brings a high level of energy to the game and can contribute as a scorer offensively while being a disruptive defender who thrives playing in the passing lanes on defense.
Shonnyvelle Reglado (Exodus NYC) – Delgado was effective as a jump shooter this weekend. In both catch and shoot situations as well as playing off the bounce, the 5-foot-8 guard was lethal as a shot maker.
Kelina Menard (NJ Sparks 15U) – Menard is a young scorer who is learning how to pick her spots and impact the game offensively while staying inside the framework of the team. The next year will be critical for the 2019 guard as she has the potential to be a national level recruit.
Kania Pollock (NDO Elite) – Pollock made a statement this weekend as she showed she could carry the scoring load for her team while still getting her teammates involved. The 2018 combo guard will offer a program a tremendous amount of backcourt flexibility.
Point Guard Play
This weekend was a great weekend to see young point guards thrive and show what they can do.
Cherelle Washington (Philly Freedom Stars) – Washington is a playmaker at the point guard position. She is an athlete who likes to push the tempo and will put pressure on opposing player with her ability to drive the ball.
Kayla Robinson (Exodus NYC) – Robinson turned heads with her play offensively this weekend. She is an energetic point guard who is hard to guard in one on one situations. Her ability to get into the lane and create for others complements her strong perimeter shooting ability.
Mo’ne Davis (Philly Triple Threat) – People will be familiar with Davis because of her little league world series success, but Davis is starting to show promise on the hardwood. Over the last 18 months, her perimeter jumper has vastly improved, and she is starting to come into her own as a point guard.
Kaia Harrison (iExcel) – Harrison was impressive this weekend as she worked on and off the ball sharing the backcourt with Jordan Nixon. She is developing into a strong decision maker and has the ability to create things off the bounce as a playmaker. Harrison is a member of the 2019 class, so time is on her side.
Destiny Philoxy (NY Gauchos) – Philoxy is one of the toughest one on one players in the class of 2018. The UMass verbal commit is an offensive minded lead guard with a knack for creating her own shot.
Standouts Around the Rim
Nadjy Tyler (Philly Triple Threat) – This was a strong showing for Tyler, a 2019 post which is still coming into her own. Tyler brings energy and athleticism to the floor and can score on the block while being at her best attacking from the high post where she can use her length and athleticism.
Brittany Garner (PF Stars) – As a member of the 2018 class, Garner is a talented offensive post who can score over either shoulder. She makes an impact on any team because of her ability to command respect from the defense and force double teams.
Olivia Owens (City Rocks) - Owens is a traditional five player who can act as a key piece in the paint on both sides of the ball. Right now her impact is felt more on the defensive side than on offense, but she is still impactful with the ball around the rim. As a member of the class of 2018, Owens stands out as one of the best true posts in the class.
Allyah Boston (iExcel) – Boston is a young post with the ability to impact the game as a rim protector and interior scorer. The 2019 post is in the discussion as one of the best post players in her class, and her ability to stand out in matchups with some of the best posts in the country solidified that.
Jaylin Carodine (MD Lady Terps) – Carodine isn’t a post player, but the class of 2018 wing is one of the most explosive athletes in the class and was excellent this weekend finishing around the rim and rebounding the basketball. In addition to being able to play as a “power” wing, Carodine excels in transition.
