TT Starks
'15 ELITE 100 Watch List wing TAire Starks. *Photo by Ty Freeman.
ALEXANDRIA, Minn. With just a few weeks remaining before the July viewing period, the quality of play at non-certified events continues to improve. That ultimately gives the players looking to standout a better setting to prove their worth and heres a look at some of the players cashing in at this weekends North Tartan Summer Jam.
TAire TT Starks (Minneapolis, Minn.), North Tartan - 2015
Starks is a prospect that has been on our radar for some time now. The 5-foot-10 wing has been a mainstay on the North Tartan Elite team for multiple summers and her ability to be effective on both sides of the ball has earned herself the attention of schools around the country. Starks is a very good athlete who plays hard on both sides of the ball. Along with her effort level, her combination of size and quickness allow her to be a capable defender with the ability to guard multiple positions.
Offensively Starks is still a work in progress as most of her effectiveness comes from basket cuts and offensive rebounding. Occasionally she is able to attack the rim off the bounce, but she is going to have to continue to work on her ball handling and perimeter shooting as she continues to prepare for major college basketball. Another major area of offensive strength for Starks is her ability to put pressure on a defense when in transition. Starks is a good finisher around the rim and she uses her sturdy frame and solid leaping ability to take contact and finish over opposing players at the rim. The next nine months will be crucial for Starks as she is a kid with room to really grow and flourish as a prospect and could eventually develop into more of an offensive weapon.
SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS
Jessica Shepard (Lincoln, Neb.), CSS Bison - 2015
Sheppard, the 6-3 class of 2015 combo forward that is committed to Nebraska, has all of the tools to be effective for the rest of her time in high school and at the next level. She plays the point-forward role for her CSS Bison team and does a very good job mixing the facilitator role with a more aggressive offensive approach. Shepard can create offense for others and herself and as a result projects into an elite level college prospect. In addition to her offensive prowess, Shepard is a very good rebounder who consistently pursues the ball.
Jessica Lindstrom (Superior, Wisc.), Team Wisconsin - 2014
Sometimes a prospect catches your eye and makes plays on such a consistent basis that you cant help but take notice of them. Lindstrom, a class of 2014 forward is that kind of player. At 5-11 she is a relentless rebounder with a smooth face-up jumper and the ability to finish with touch around the rim. This weekend we saw Lindstrom pull down a high volume of rebounds and score with her back to the basket in the post. Lindstrom plays the game with a motor that doesnt stop.
AROUND THE RIM
Class of 2014 point guard Hannah Grimm of the Minnesota Fury was very good in her teams match up with Team Wisconsin. She is a crafty point guard who can shoot the basketball and make plays off the bounce. Grimm appears to be under recruited right now and should see her recruitment take off if she continues to show well in July.
North Tartan Elite lost a heartbreaker this weekend to eventual tournament champion All Iowa Attack, but theyre younger programs were successful at almost every other age group. Look for them to continue to be a program of note on the summer circuit for years to come. Follow @KeilMoorePSB
