Ali Andrews
Erin Boley's play at the Midwest Showdown was part of the reason she rose up in the pre-summer ELITE 100 rankings. *Photo by Ty Freeman.
MASON, Ohio -- The Midwest Showdown is a staple event for many travel programs to compete and gain exposure over the Memorial Day Weekend. This year’s edition featured 150 teams from the Midwest and as far away as Texas and Canada. Games were broadcasted daily on The SUVtv and multiple scouting services attended the three-day event. Here is a look back at some of the notable performers at the event ran by the All Ohio Basketball Club.
Class of 2016 prospect Ali Andrews of Lake in the Hills, Ill., has emerged as a potential ELITE 100 caliber option while playing for Midwest Elite. The 6-foot-2 power forward has a variety of skills whether at the rim or facing the basket. Andrews has already committed to play at Illinois.
Lexie Barrier of Ironton, Ohio, has been on our radar since her middle school days. A Virginia Tech commit, she played arguably the most consistent ball that we’ve seen from her during this evaluation. Given her size, at 5-11, and diverse skill set, Barrier is capable of playing multiple perimeter positions on both ends of the floor for West Virginia Thunder.
The growth that class of 2016 forward Erin Boley of Hodgenville, Ky., has shown over the past six months is impressive. A 6-2 interior-based presence, her ability to make an impact for Kentucky Premier at the rim, in the midrange and beyond the arc on offense have place her in the discussion as the premier prospect at the position nationally. Boley, who committed to Notre Dame last winter, has earned a fifth star with her progress and versatility.
Maryland added a commitment from class of 2016 wing Kalia Charles of Glendale, Md., earlier in the spring. If her play with Team Takeover is any indication, Brenda Frese and her staff will love her ability to make positive things happen by attacking the rim. Charles combination of length and athleticism makes her a prospect with major upside.
Class of 2016 prospect Alayna Gribble of North Huntingdon, Pa., was also a standout at the PeachStateBasketball.com TipOff Classic in April. We came away impressed with her play on the perimeter for the Western PA Bruins. Gribble, who is committed to play college ball at Pittsburgh, did more of the same in this evaluation. The 5-11 wing has the ball skill and shooting prowess to be effective at either wing position.
Like Gribble, Jailyn Mason of Mason, Ohio shined at a PeachStateBasketball.com tournament this spring. Mason, a class of 2016 prospect, was a standout during the May Day Challenge before taking the hardwood here in Cincinnati. The 5-9 guard showed more of the same skill leading her All Ohio XPress Peek to another productive weekend in the process.
Jackie Young of Princeton, Ind., continues to grow her game. In the class of 2016, she’s elevated herself into the discussion as the nation’s top small forward. The 6-1 wing will join the aforementioned Boley at Notre Dame giving the Irish a formidable combination at the forward positions. In this eval, Young was comfortable serving as the primary perimeter scorer for the Indy Lady Gym Rats earning a fifth star in the process.
Brandon Clay serves as the WNBA Director of Scouting for ProspectsNation.com and owns The JumpOffPlus.com International Report, which is picked up by more than 150 colleges and universities nationwide. He serves as the Executive Camp Director for the Elite Basketball Academy Camps. He serves on the Naismith Trophy Men’s / Women’s College Player of the Year Academy and is chairman of the HS Boys / Girls Board of Selectors.
