Brooke Copeland
Vanderbilt commit Rachel Bell started her season off at the Riverdale Playday in spectacular fashion. *Photo by Ty Freeman.
MURFREESBORO - The Riverdale Playday has become a staple of the ProspectsNation.com coverage calendar given the yearly flow of talent inside the State of Tennessee. This years edition was no different as over 70 varsity teams took the floor at 11 different sites to prepare for the upcoming season. Here are four class of 2014 prospects who set the tone for the event.
Rachel Bell (Cumberland Furnace, Tenn.) - Creek Wood HS
Bell broke out this summer with her play at the Elite Basketball Academy Super 64 Camp in June. With her future college assistant coach Kim Rosamond on hand; Bell hit a flurry of baskets in the halfcourt set. The four-star prospect hit mid-range jump shots, knocked down 3-pointers and even finished a backdoor lob catching the ball in mid-air to lay it up for two points. The No. 74 ranked prospect in the ELITE 150, Bell will have a chance to make an impact just down the road in Nashville starting next fall.
Brooke Copeland - (Cleveland, Tenn.) - Bradley Central HS
Like Bell, Copeland used Super 64 Camp to show her full array of skills. She has continued to improve her overall skill set over the past 12 months. The 6-foot-1 post is known for her play on the interior and showed why again on Saturday. Ranked No. 71 nationally, Copeland drew charges, finished offensive rebounds and was active around the rim as weve become accustomed to seeing her do. The four-star prospect committed to Florida during July. Her presence will give the Gators a solid option alongside current freshman Ronni Williams.
Clemson commit Shelbie Davenport.
*Photo by Ty Freeman.
Shelbie Davenport (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) - Riverdale HS
Davenport came off of a 2013 circuit where she proved herself to be one of the top knockdown shooters at the forward position nationwide. After recently committing to Clemson, Davenport appears to be turning another corner coming into Saturdays event in the best shape that we have seen her to date. At 5-11, she has the size to be an effective mismatch for teams especially at the power forward position. That said Davenports ball skill is improving to the point where shell be able to spend time this season as the second or third ball handler on the floor for the defending high school national champions.
Alexa Middleton (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) - Riverdale HS
The No. 22 ranked prospect nationally, Middleton put on a show Saturday afternoon, displaying a mid-range pull-up jump shot that we have not seen this consistently from her to date. In a tight matchup with Allen County (Scottsville, Ky.), Middleton was both impactful and poised down the stretch helping Riverdale pull away late. The 5-8 combo guard made her case for a spot in the post-season All-American Game series, scoring from all over the floor. The future Tennessee Lady Vol was also effective on the defensive end of the hardwood getting her hands on several loose balls in both of the games that we watched. In the process, Middleton cemented her status as the talent rich Volunteer States top college prospect in the senior class. Follow @BrandonClayPSB
