Jaisa Nunn
Mikayla Ferenz was a key contributor in the Northwest Blazers Orange squads championship success. *Photo by Ty Freeman.
MARIETTA, Ga., - The Peach State Basketball Summer Invitational event concluded on Friday with championship games being played on the third day of action. With over 100 college coaches in attendance on Friday afternoon, players received maximum exposure during the July evaluation period. Here is a look back at the top performances from championship day.
The Cincinnatis Finest appeared to have control of the championship game versus the Central Florida Elite in the championship game of the JLHemingwayPSB bracket. However, point guard Tea Cooper of Powder Springs, Ga., had other plans at All Tournament Players Park. In typical fashion that Cooper is known for, the 5-foot-8 lead guard dominated the game on both ends. She hounded ball handlers on the defense to making mistakes and turning those turnovers into points in transition. Cooper combines strength, power and explosiveness to get down hill in the lane. Down the stretch versus the Finest, Cooper made plays in the lane and scored timely buckets to lead the Central Florida Elite to a win.
The No. 3 prospect in the ELITE 100 gave her verbal commitment to coach Holly Warlick and the University of Tennessee last month. Cooper projects to be an impact player for the Lady Vols as they stock their roster with multiple top 25 caliber prospects. Cooper will join former travel basketball teammate Diamond DeShields of Norcross, Ga., who transferred to Knoxville this summer after departing from the University of North Carolina. Look for this duo to help keep the Lady Vols atop of the SEC in years to come.
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Northwest Blazers
Coach Steve Klees teams stormed the Southeast and walked away with four championships in one of the toughest tournaments in the second half of July. The Blazers programs feature players who play fundamental basketball and execute very well on both ends of the floor. Although they did not have a player who is currently ranked in the ELITE 100, they beat numerous teams with elite prospects.
The Orange team is lead by Idaho commit and 5-11 point guard Mikayla Ferenz of Walla Walla, Wash. The class of 2015 prospects decision making and ball handling powered her team past DFW T-Jack to take home the BrandonClayPSB championship. Klees received an impressive performance from class of 2015 6-3 post Jaisa Nunn of Kirkland, Wash., on Friday afternoon. Her ability to hit the face-up jumper was critical in the Blazers 20-point victory. Class of 2015 players Sue Winger of Spokane, Wash., and Fresno State commit Breanne Knishka of Dryden, Wash., both contributed well in the victories as well.
The depth of this program could be seen with multiple championships being won including the Black team which was led by class of 2015 guard Lynzee Wilson and San Diego commit Madison Pollock of Snohomish, Wash. The Northwest Blazers PDX team was lead by class of 2017 prospects Aleah Goodman of Canby, Ore., and Abby Anderson of Hillsboro, Ore., for a championship in the AdrianPenland bracket. Keep an eye on the Blazers young Ice team, which are made up of class 2018 prospects, including 5-11 forward Grace Kirscher of Sandpoint, Idaho. Follow @JLHemingwayPSB
