Joyner Holmes
Amber Ramirez has evolved her impact without the ball to the level of her off the dribble game. *Photo by Ty Freeman.
MARIETTA, Ga., - The second half of July started off strongly at the Summer Invitational. Teams from all over the nation packed into All Tournament Players Park in Cobb County to compete in front of coaches from many of the nations top programs. All 88 teams in the tournament received best exposure and competition that is offered during the summer evaluation period. Here is a look back at the top performers from day one.
Amber Ramirez (San Antonio, Texas), SAs Finest-2016
Ramirez came to the Peach State Basketball Summer Invitational ready to play. The 5-foot-7 point guard was influential in an impressive win over Tampa Elite Jr. Her ballhandling skills matched with her play making ability provide her the opportunity to break down defenses and create scoring opportunities for herself and teammates.
The No. 10 ranked player in the 2016 class is a fiery competitor that plays with poise. She showed her ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc and made several catch and shoot jumpers coming of screens. Ramirez has a good feel for the game, which is apparent in how she moves without the ball to get herself open. Her skills have drawn attention from some of the top schools in the country.
FEATURE TEAM
HEREOS ELITE
No. 3 junior Joyner Holmes. *Photo by Ty Freeman.
The first day of tournament play provided much excitement as the Heroes grabbed two victories in games that went down to the wire. The ladies from the Lone Star State took down the Westchester Hoopers Sr in a game that was decided in the last minute. Then the Texas natives knocked All Ohio Black off in overtime in an exhibition game that was broadcasted on ProspectsNationTV. Fresh off of helping the USA Basketball U17 national team win a gold medal in the FIBA World Championships, Joyner Holmes of Cedar Hill, Texas, proved to be the biggest difference maker at the Summer Invitational. The 6-3 power forward is currently ranked No. 3 in the class of 2016 and is a dominant force on both ends of the floor. She is joined by No. 17 wing Jada Underwood of Mesquite, Texas, who is one of the better drivers in the nation.
The roster is filled with other players who complement the Heroes well with their skills sets. Shooting guard Grace Goodhart of Sunnyvale, Texas, is a floor-spacer who can also create with the dribble in the midrange. Left-handed guard Nautica Grant of Dallas, Texas, can create plays in the gaps in the defense. Class of 2016 guard Ashlan Miles of Sunnyvale, Texas, is another strong, explosive perimeter threat for this team.
AROUND THE RIM
♦ Class of 2017 forward Taya Corosdale of Bothell, Wash., showed why she is an ELITE 60 Watch List prospect on the opening day of the tournament. She does a great job of using her length to block shots and create deflections on the defensive end. She also has a diverse skill set on the offensive end for Seattle Transition.
Mika Wester of Newport, Tenn.
*Photo by Ty Freeman.
♦ Western Carolina commit Mika Wester of Newport, Tenn., continues to round out her game. The 5-11 swing forward is efficient and precise with her game play. She scores a high percentage of shots she takes in the lane and rarely turns the ball over.
♦ The Toledo Thunder showed that they are a team on the rise on with a victory over West Coast Premier. Class of 2016 forward Akrenreh Johnson of Toledo, Ohio, is a versatile swing forward who is now in the conversation for an ELITE 100 spot. She gave her verbal commitment coach Kim Barnes Arico at the University of Michigan.
♦ West Coast Premier Black moved to the quarterfinal by defeating a strong Florida Flight team. Natalia Bruening of Newport Beach, Calif., was impressive in the post. Standing at 6-3, the class of 2016, Bruening showed good footwork around the basket a soft touch at the rim. Bruenings scoring productivity is increased by her ability to catch and shoot the fifteen-foot jumper.
♦ Gina Marxen of Sammamish, Wash., had a good first day at the Peach State Basketball Summer Invitational. The class of 2018 combo guard for the Seattle Transition Black is a good perimeter shooter. The left-handed guard has the foot speed to get to the rim off the dribble as well Follow @StephenPeckPSB
Peck is the owner of Dream In Motion Athletics and is a national evaluator for the JumpOffPlus.com National Scouting Report. He also serves as a on-floor skills coach at the Elite Basketball Academy events. He can be reached at StephenPeck@peachstatebasketball.com.
Hemingway is the Assistant Director of Scouting for the JumpOffPlus.com National Scouting Report. He can be reached at jonathanhemingway@peachstatebasketball.com.
