Kendall Perry
'17 Watch List guard Tori Williams from Boise, Idaho, was one of the underclass standouts at the Check Me Out Showcase. *Photo by Glenn Nelson.
The Check Me Out Showcase was the last stop on the summer circuit for the 2014s out west to claim and defend elite status. With the arrival of the seasoned dogs, came the young pups ripe with talent and potential. The 2015s and beyond demonstrated high energy and impressive skill sets to raise the bar at the event. Here is a look at some of the top younger players who made a statement at the Showcase:
Tori Williams (Boise, Idaho), Centennial HS -- 2017
Boise Hoop Dream standout Tori Williams, a rising freshman from Boise, Idaho, made the trek from the neighboring Gem State worthwhile. She was phenomenal playing against much older players who have been on the circuit for years. Having watched her just two weeks early at the University of Washingtons elite camp, expectations were high for the 5-foot-7 combo guard.
Williams is known for her early work on the circuit with the Boise Hoop Dreams, especially for her shooting ability. What was impressive here was her skill and tenacity attacking her defender off the dribble. And for a 2017 prospects to get continuous run against stronger and more experienced players and still stand out is a testament to where Williams game is heading. She got to the rim numerous times going right and has a fantastic base from which to build on in the future.
SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS
Amber Ramirez showed her game is style
and substance. *Photo by Glenn Nelson.
Amber Ramirez (San Antonio, Texas), Wagner 2016
Ramirez found herself once again in a league of her own this past weekend. The 5-7 point guard put on a dribbling clinic against some of the top seniors from the West Coast. She capped off a star-studded summer with a high octane scoring performance. Undoubtedly one of the best shooters in the Southwest, she was not shy in pulling up for deep threes against her San Antonios Finest team and 2014 standout Recee Caldwell and found herself in a competitive shootout. The last game of the weekend she showed her savvy in the open court, wrapping the ball around her back and finishing the lay-up for two, bringing her teammates to their feet.
Destiny Slocum (Boise, Idaho), Mountain View 2016
Slocum, a 5-6 point guard, continues to impress with every outing. She rocked the house all weekend scoring the basketball. Parents, fans, and coaches were entertained with her complete scoring ability from beyond the arc and inside the lane. She can shoot the 3-ball, run a team and can flat out get to the rim and make plays. One of the most exciting players in the class, you want the ball in her hands at all times. Her court savvy proves she will be a fan favorite for years to come.
AROUND THE RIM
Kendall Perry made things happen
on both ends of the floor. *Photo by Glenn Nelson.
♦ Kendall Perry of Gilbert, Ariz., proved to belong with a talented pool of players waiting at her doorstep. With the bar set very high, this 2015 showed true competitive spirit on the defensive end, guarding the best in the west. Undersized but gritty, she found ways to score from the beyond the arc.
♦ Bria Rice, a 2016 of Federal Way, Wash., was the definition of a slasher during the showcase. She showed her shifty quickness and good first step to tally racks of lay-ups over the course of three games. Developing her range will force her defender pick their poison.
♦ Jayde Christopher, a 2015 from Federal Way, Wash., has solidified her status as one of the best pass-first point guards in her class on the west coast. In a setting with ample scorers in the gym, she was superb at getting those scorers the ball in spots they could do the most damage.
♦ Christophers Tree of Hope club program and Cleveland High School teammate Joyce Harrell, a 6-1 2015 forward prospect, found herself locked in one of the best one-on-one matchups of the event when she and 2014 ELITE 100 forward Kristen Simon exchanged baskets in each others face. Several of those plays were featured in the #ProspectsNationTV day two highlights.
♦ ELITE 60 post Tarea Green of Portland, Ore., had a strong showing, utilizing good footwork and soft hands to score inside and from the high post. Shes definitely evolved into a true center. Follow @ChrisHansenPSB
