Maryland commit Ashley Owusu scored the ball at a high level this weekendPOTOMAC, Maryland -- Every Spring we stop at and check out Team Takeover's event. Last year the event fell during the month of April. This year it was on Cinco De Mayo. With elite talent from the I-95 corridor, the event gives us a great a feel for talent throughout the DMV and more.
Player to Watch
Mir McClean (Team Takeover) – Any discussion of who has the best motor in the 2020 class has to include 5-foot-10 forward Mir Mclean. She is serious about the game and brings a hardhat and lunch pail to the gym whenever she comes to play. She is a productive rebounder who uses her athleticism and tenacity as weapons. Long-term, McLean will have to continue to develop her perimeter skills to be as effective as possible, but her productivity at the prep level stands out.
Standout Performers
Ashley Owusu (Boo Williams) – As we have said before, the 2019 class lacks ideal wing depth. Maryland commit Ashley Owusu is one of the exceptions. She is a competent scorer at all three levels and has the toughness to finish plays through contact. Owusu has the ball-handling ability to play some as a point guard, and it will be interesting to see how Maryland uses her during her time in College Park.
Michelle Sidor (NJ Sparks) – This weekend with the game on the line, the New Jersey Sparks put the ball in Michigan commit Michelle Sidor’s hands and let her make a play. Like multiple times before, the 5-foot-8 guard delivered attacked a ball screen and got fouled, allowing her to make the last two free-throws needed for the Sparks to seal the deal. Sidor, who is one of the best perimeter shooters in her class, is an efficient scorer who has done an excellent job developing the rest of her game.
Kaelyn Satterfield (NJ Sparks) – The phrase “Hard to Guard” comes to mind when describing the game of 2019 wing Kaelyn Satterfield. She can play with the ball in her hands, initiate the offense, isolate from multiple areas on the floor, and is one of the best pure passers in the class. Offensively, Satterfield is a joy to watch.
Aliyah Matharu (New World Elite) – Matharu is a scorer. Just a short evaluation of her game and you can tell. She has deep range on her perimeter jumper and is dynamic off the bounce. At times she can be streaky, and at times she can be hit or miss but long term, Matharu is one of those players who can make an instant impact with her scoring ability.
Breakout Performances
Sarah Fitzgerald (Boo Williams Wilson) – Fitzgerald was fun to watch this weekend, she is a 6-foot-3 forward who can score over both shoulders in the post. She seemed to enjoy playing through contact and played with a high motor for long stretches of the game. Right when you thought you had a feel for Fitzgerald’s game, she stepped out and knocked down two catch and shoot three-point baskets.
Diamond Johnson (Boo Williams EYBL) – Johnson is an explosive scorer who plays with an aggressive mindset. The 5-foot-6 class of 2020 guard gave Boo Williams an offensive lift on Saturday, her knack for making open shots and finishing with floaters in traffic allowed her to make a loud impact.
Lauren Park-Lane (Team Takeover) - At the close of the Spring we will look back and discuss players who have turned heads this Spring, 2019 guard Lauren Park-Lane is going to be a name that is heavily debated. She is a traditional point guard who plays with caution offensively, and reckless abandon on the defensive end. Park-Lane has been a critical piece for Team Takeover this Spring and considering that Takeover has emerged as one of the best club teams in the country, Park-Lane’s contribution has elevated her stock nationally.
Briana Frazier (Books and Basketball) – Frazier is making a move from being an ultra-athletic combo guard to learning the point guard position. Frazier’s athletic ability is undeniable, she has an explosive first step and elevates exceptionally well in traffic. As a point guard Frazier has some things to learn and how she develops will be important but her athleticism and potential to make an impact on both sides of the ball.
Mariah Perez (NJ Sparks) – Post players take longer to develop and at 6-foot-3, 2019 post Mariah Perez is starting to turn the corner. She has always played with a high-level of energy, but now she is starting to figure out how to score when facing the rim or playing with her back to the basket. It’s always hard to find post players who can make a four-year impact and Perez is starting to look like that kind of player.
Notes
Be on the lookout for class of 2021, point guard Ja’Naiya Quinerly of Boo Williams Wilson. The 5-foot-4 prospect was lively with the ball this weekend. At an early age, she has a nice feel for the game and the athleticism to develop into a high-major prospect.
Boo Williams forward Jada Boyd is one of the nation’s elite power forward prospects. Her athleticism and ability to rebound out of area separate her from a majority of her class.
Team Takeover forward Rayniah Walker recently committed to Temple. This weekend the 2019 prospect scored the ball from the perimeter, rebounded in traffic, and played with an abundance of energy.
We’ve been tracking class of 2019 point guard Jenna Clark of the Western PA Bruins Zeise for a few years. She is a steady point guard who can run a team, create for others, all while playing with a positive assist to turnover ratio.
Clark’s teammate Gillian Piccolino is a 6-foot wing who had an excellent weekend shooting the ball.
There has been a run on shooters in the 2019 class. With players like Michelle Sidor (Michigan), Brylee Bartram (Florida), Cayla King (Virginia Tech), Hannah Jump (Stanford), and Sammie Puisis (Florida State) off the board. Books and Basketball wing Lola Mulaney should be a priority for programs looking to address perimeter shooting as a need.
