Katelyn Dunning
Nadia Cathey attacks the rim in the opneing day of the PSB TOC Part I. *Photo by Larry Rhinehart
LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia – The PSB Tip-Off Classic was loaded with talent on opening night of the 2017 NCAA evaluation period. Over 80 teams competed in exhibitions games Friday in preparation for bracket play over the weekend. Here is a look at some of the standouts from day one.
Polina Nikulochkina (Orlando, Florida) Central Florida Elite – 2019
Nikulochkina put on a scoring clinic Friday showcasing her versatility out on the perimeter. At 5-foot-7, she is able to blow by defenders and use her speed to attack the rim. She cuts through traffic and transitions into counter-moves very quickly. Nikulochkina was effective at finishing around taller players in the paint and also demonstrated consistency in her pull-up game as well. She controls the tempo well from the point guard position and has defenders on their heels when she drives downhill.
#PSBTipOffClassic @RebeccaDyerPSB mentioned Polina Nikulochkina and her abilty to get downhill and it's easy to see why. @CFE_BASKETBALL pic.twitter.com/3dLSoZNR8i
— PSB Events (@PeachStateBBall) April 23, 2017
Annabel Frist (Nashville, Tennessee) Tennessee Team Pride – 2021
Frist is a high IQ player who impacts the game in a variety of ways for Tennessee Team Pride. She made her presence felt on both ends of the floor by playing with a great deal of toughness, jumping on 50/50 balls, mixing it up on the boards, and finishing through contact. Frisk has range out to the 3-point line and works well coming off screens with out the ball to get open looks. She has size at 5-10 that allows her to be a versatile option out on the wing.
Robyn Benton (Conyers, Georgia) Team Elite Hubbard – 2018.jpg)
Benton is a high-level player who can score in a variety of ways for Team Elite Hubbard. She can score off the dribble, in the mid-range, coming off screens and does a great job of offensive rebounding from the guard position for easy put-backs. Benton is an unselfish player and that is evident throughout her game with her willingness to make plays wherever they are needed. The 5-9 prospect operates with patience and poise from the guard position, which translate into quality looks for Team Elite on the offensive end.
Nadia Cathey (Irondale, Alabama) All Alabama Roadrunners – 2018
Cathey brings a great deal of energy and enthusiasm on the floor for the Roadrunners. She slices her way up the court and was able to make some difficult passes look easy. Cathey has speed and skill out at the point. Her first step is lethal, which defenders have to respect, but she can also rise up and hit the 10-15 foot jumper. On the defensive end, she was one of the better on-ball defenders this weekend because of her strength and lateral speed.
India Bellamy (Stockbridge, Georgia) Douglasville Lady Tigers – 2019
Bellamy is a great athlete with length and explosive speed at the wing/forward position. She excels in the mid-range area, but her size allows her to back down smaller players and work in the post as well. Bellamy uses that same advantage on the defensive end smothering guards on the perimeter, or using speed against a bigger post player. She is comfortable handling the ball out in the open court and leading the break for the Lady Tigers.
Around the Rim
The Alabama Southern Starz 2019s are one of those teams who play with undeniable chemistry. Players like McCarley Northway (Somerville, Alabama), Mary Denman Luker (Pell City, Alabama) and Alexz Yarbrough (Northport, Alabama) cut, pass, and play off of each other very well.
#PSBTipOffClassic
— AdrianPenlandBBall (@AP_BBall) April 21, 2017
The @ALSoStarz shot lights out from behind the 3 point line to take control and dominate their game pic.twitter.com/SIVhtECzcJ
Class of 2020, guard Abi Oates of Register, Georgia, plays with a lot of toughness out on the perimeter. This #SMPMember can knock down open looks and she is not afraid to mix it up for a 50/50 ball.
Team Elite Hubbard 7th grade team is loaded with young talent from top to bottom. Class of 2022 guard, Katelyn Dunning of Dallas, Georgia, plays with a mature demeanor and patience from the point position. She is a player to keep your eye on over the next couple of years.
Class of 2018 guards, Megan Jones (Taylor, South Carolina) and Nyia Goudlocke (Greenville, South Carolina) are a dynamic-duo out on the perimeter for the Upward Stars. Goudlock is capable of getting hot from outside and Jones can score in bunches off the bounce.
Dyer joined the team at the end of 2012 and quickly made her presence felt as our in-house contributor for Peach State Media during all events and now as the Associate Editor for Prospects Nation. She’s been in the community as a columnist since 2008 and also serves on the Naismith Awards selection committee. Rebecca played college ball at both Kentucky and North Carolina.
