Alexa Hart
Kelsey Mitchell proved she is more than just a scorer and the top player in 2014.
*Photo by Ty Freeman.
MARIETTA, Ga. The Summer Invitational provided tension and theater for all of the teams vying for the right to be called champions. With over 100 college coaches who passed through the doors, all players received the maximum amount of exposure at All Tournament Players Park. In the end, it would be All Ohio Black walking away with a victory in the @JLHemingwayPSB bracket with a 56-54 win over AOT. Additionally, the New Jersey Lady Sparks continued their upward trend during the month of July with a 67-38 victory over the South Carolina 76ers in the @StephenPeckPSB bracket. Here are a few players that stood out above the rest on Championship Day.
Kelsey Mitchell (Princeton, Ohio), All Ohio Black 2014
The true measure of a player should not be where she stands in times where shots are falling, but it should be measured when her shots are not falling. Mitchell struggled to find the range for most of the championship game versus AOT. Instead of letting frustration set in, Mitchell impacted the game in every other way possible. Her passing ability put her teammates in easy scoring positions time and time again. Her ball pressure on Tea Cooper kept the AOT offense out of rhythm, even while All Ohio trailed by double digits early in the second half. Finally, her impressive blocks out on even the biggest opponents on the floor made certain that her team got defensive stops.
Interestingly enough, with the game in the balance and under two minutes to play, it would be Mitchells shot-making ability that put All Ohio in control. Her pull-up 3-pointer at the top of the key put All Ohio up two, which further illustrated Mitchells competitive greatness. Lesser players would have deferred in a tight situation, but Mitchell embraced the moment. She cemented the game with 30 seconds left by finding Alexa Hart on a diagonal pass to give All Ohio the lead for good. Mitchell left no doubt in anyones minds who the best player in the country is on this night.
#ProspectsNationTV: Championship Day Recap #PSBSummerInvitational:
AROUND THE RIM
♦ The player that has perhaps the most upside in the class of 2014 is Hart, the No. 15 prospect in the ELITE 100 from Columbus, Ohio. She has been ranked so high mainly because of her shot blocking and defensive ability. She could be labeled a shot eraser, but lately she is becoming a shot maker. Her developing post moves and soft touch around the rim make her a prospect that could impact the college game immediately next year.
♦ Class of 2016 point guard Taryn McCutcheon of Washington, W.Va. is a kid that steadily improves with each showing. The skilled guard makes plays despite being outsized on most occasions. She knocks shots down from well beyond the arc consistently and gets rebounds among the posts. Look for her to be an Elite 60 watch list prospect when ProspectsNation.com expands its rankings for her class.
♦ Alexa Giuliano of Allamuchy, N.J., is a lethal shooter from beyond the arc. The class of 2014 guard nailed four 3-pointers in the New Jersey Lady Sparks championship game to ensure coach Keith Gilchrists team a victory. Her talents are in high demand among schools in the Northeast. Follow @JLHemingwayPSB
