Zaire O’Neil (Newark, N.J.) – Shabazz HS – 2014

Zaire O’Neil’s Shabazz High School (Newark, N.J.) team matched up with a very talented and scrappy Bishop Ford (Brooklyn, N.Y.) team in what was one of the best games of the weekend. O’Neil and Shabazz found themselves down for most of the game but late in the third quarter the 6-foot power forward was able to help spark a run that would propel her team to victory. O’Neil, who has been a mainstay on the summer circuit for the past couple of years, used her size and strength to be effective around the basket and on the offensive boards. Her ability to create mismatches around the basket was a real asset for Shabazz on this night and will continue to be many nights on the next level as well.

SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS

Sadie Edwards (Meriden, Conn.) – Blair Academy – 2014

Three summers ago when we first saw Sadie Edwards at the USA Basketball U16 national team trials, she was projected to be a wing at the next level. Fast-forward to today and Edwards has made a claim as one of the best, if not the best, point guard prospects in the 2014 class. Her ability to play with pace and poise at the point guard position sets her apart from a majority of guards in the 2014 class. This weekend Edwards showed that she could score the ball around the rim and play the role of playmaker for her team, setting people up for open perimeter jumpers in addition to catch and finish opportunities around the rim. Now ,when playing the point, Edwards seems comfortable running a team and finding ways to both score and get other players quality shot opportunities.

Myisha Hines-Allen (Montclair, N.J.) – Montclair HS – 2014

Myisha Hines-Allen is one of the most physically gifted prospects in the class of 2014. Her combination of size and athleticism is simply rare, and when she uses it to her advantage she can be a matchup nightmare. At 6-1, Hines-Allen is a forward that can handle it, shoot it, post, and play the point-forward role if need be. This weekend one scout said she had a Lamar Odom-like skill set. Former Tennessee guard-forward Shekinna Strickland, who is now a member of the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, is another name that comes to mind when watching Hines-Allen play the game.

AROUND THE RIM 

♦Life Center Academy came to Patterson, N.J., and made a case for being one of the top 25 high school teams in the country behind the play of class of 2014 combo guard Crystal Simmons of Hamilton, N.J., who made a plethora of big plays in both of their match ups. Life Center also got quality performances from class of 2015 guard Aliyah Jeune of Westampton, N.J., and Aja Ellison of Vorhees, N.J. Life Center has seven kids who can play division one basketball somewhere and that quality depth makes them a force to contend with.

♦St. John’s signee Aaliyah Lewis of Staten Island, N.Y. put on a show in her Bishop Ford team’s loss to Shabazz. Lewis has an uncanny ability to score the ball and create offense. Despite only standing 5-4, Lewis knows how to use her quickness to create the space she needs to be effective. Lewis was named one of the MVP’s of the game as she scored 20-plus points in the contest.

♦Ashunae Durant of Plainfield, N.J., had a big game where she managed to score 27 points and pull down 14 rebounds. The 6-0 forward was effective with her energy level and ability to finish in traffic.