Victoria HunterEMERSON, Ga., - Lake Point Sporting Community provided the stage for the PSB End of the Road Championships. The September weekend marked the final time that college coaches would be able to evaluate travel teams in a non-scholastic game. Although there were whispers of college coaches choosing to stay at home (read more about those issues here: Chris Hansen’s explanation and Brandon Clay’s take), over 45 coaches from 30 schools attended on the tournament’s first night. Here is a rundown of the notable performers from the opening night.
Mariah Linney (Moncks Corner, S.C.), Low Country Ballers – 2017
Linney broke onto the travel scene this April by lighting up the scoreboards at the PSB Tip-Off Classic. From there her reputation as a dynamic guard grew, which culminated with her giving her verbal commitment to head coach Cara Consuegra and the Charlotte 49ers. The 5-foot-9 guard projects to be a point guard at the next level, but it is her ability to score the ball that has her future team very excited. Linney had her accurate shooting and play-making ability on full display on Friday night. Most of all it is her poise on the court that makes Linney a potential impact player for the 49ers.
SPOTLIGHT
Blue Star Florida Elite 2018 will be a team to track into the next calendar year. Post player Brittney Smith of Winter Park, Florida, possesses a world of promise. Standing at 6-3, she has the size and skill to score around the rim. Add in prospects such as point guard Jayla Adams of Port Orange, Florida, Crisbel Sanchez of Palm Bay, Florida, and Jasmine Smith of Orlando, Florida, and coach Kelvin Hamm has a great blend of guards and interior players.
The fall viewing period is always valuable for uncommitted seniors to get a final look before their high school season. Coach Greg McMurry and his Tennessee Fury 12th grade team played well on Friday night. Wing Briley Buckner of Maynardville, Tennessee, shot the ball very well in her team’s exhibition game. Standing at 6-feet tall she has the length to go along with a clean stroke from distance. Guards Grace Wardeburg and Kate McMurry paired up nicely with to run the offense and get their team quality shots.
Keep an eye on coach Doug Bush’s class of 2019 team. Victoria Hunter is a 6-2 post player out of Hoover, Alabama, that showed promise. Guards Sania Wells of Moss Point, Mississippi, and Moriah Taylor of Hartselle, Alabama, also made names for themselves coming out of the night.
InnerMan Lady Rebels Red team impressed on the first night of the tournament. Class of 2017 wing Shannon Titus of John’s Creek, Georgia, should enter the attention of regional schools following the weekend. She is an aggressive 5-11 prospect who plays well on both ends. Add in the speed of class of 2018 Tamia Francis of Lithonia, Georgia, and skill of class of 2019 forward Ashlee Austin of John’s Creek, Georgia, and this team has a core to build around for next year.
The Georgia Pistols organization was in the building deep all weekend. A number of prospects stood out following the Friday night exhibition games. Class of 2017 forward Sydney Brown of Stone Mountain, Georgia, has intriguing versatility. In the same class, Buford point guard Marrisa Bruce is a steady ball handler who brings athleticism to the back court. In the class of 2018 forward Ayah Foxx Howard of Dallas, Georgia, continues to be a prospect with upside. And in the class of 2019 wing-forward Amariah Stanard of Lithonia, Georgia, has athleticism and the ability to affect the game from multiple positions on the court.
The South Carolina Future program brought two teams full of talent and potential. The 15U team features guards Jordan Strange of Columbia, South Carolina, Unique Drake, and Mya Belton, both of Blythewood, South Carolina. The 14U team has guards Malayziah Etheredge of Columbia, South Carolina, Ki’Ari Cain of Sumter, South Carolina, and Lauren Scott of Elgin, South Carolina. The program’s energy and cohesiveness was evident throughout the night.
Jonathan Hemingway is the Assistant Director of Scouting for the JumpOffPlus.com National Scouting Report, is on the Naismith Trophy Board of Selectors and owns CoachHemi.com, the go-to source for coaches for X’s and O’s. He is the floor director of #TeamEBA camps, a site director for #TeamPSB tournaments and can be reached at jonathanhemingway@peachstatebasketball.com.
