Youth served in Kentucky

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By Lisa Bodine
HoopGurlz
Archive

Mark Lewis/ESPN HoopGurlz Crystal Bradford of Detroit, Mich., is great mix of creativity and basketball skill.

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- In its second year, The Run for the Roses tournament played host to teams from Canada to Florida. The tournament featured many potential Division I players who quietly made an impression on the college coaches and scouts who attended. Here are just a few of the standout players from the event.

Crystal Bradford, Michigan Top 10: Dynamic and explosive are just a few of the adjectives that come to mind when describing the 6-1 combo guard from Detroit, Mich. Bradford is great mix of creativity and basketball skill who is a constant threat to score from anywhere on the perimeter. She is at her best when she is pushing the ball up the court in transition, she understands how to split defenders and rarely gets trapped because she keeps her head up. Bradford is quick to recognize open teammates and has a knack for delivering perfect passes once she draws a double team. The lefty uses her length and athleticism on defensive to her advantage because she is taller than most guards and she is has the size to mix it up down low when necessary.

Crystal Ross, Gauchos 16: There is no doubt at 6-4 that Ross has the physical tools to play at the next level, she is skilled enough to dominate around the basket. Ross can finish at rim level and with the length of her arms she can block and alter shots. During her time at this tournament there were stretches when she was a real presence on the floor she was active and looked to score. However, there were several times when Ross lacked intensity and appeared to be going through the motions. Ross has a huge upside and will be an asset to a college roster, especially if she can develop mental confidence in her game.

Mackenzie Sells, TN Flight Sliver: The first thing most people of think of when you mention shooters for the Tennessee Flight is Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, but since Mosqueda-Lewis is with USA Basketball there is an opportunity for another player to step into the role. Enter Mackenzie Sells, who proved over the course of the tournament that she might be one of the top shooters in the game today. The 5-7 Tennessee native's presence on the court is very unassuming, at first you may not even notice her but once you do it is usually after she has dropped a couple of 3-pointers. Sells' set up and footwork on her jumper are flawless and her release is quick but not rushed. Once the ball touches her hands, she is ready to shoot whether she coming off a screen or waiting for the ball to reserve on skip pass. She is more than a stationary shooter, so has the ability to stop and pop and does a great job making shots in transition. Sells was integral part of her team's success and should have plenty of offers to continue her career past high school.

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Mark Lewis/ESPN HoopGurlz Mackenzie Sells might be one of the top shooters on the high school level today.

Alexis Lloyd, Lady Fire: On a team full of offensive superstars, Alexis Lloyd has found a niche as a defensive stopper. From the opening tap the 5-9 guard from Whitney Young in Illniois makes her presence known, whether she is harassing the ball full court or leaping over taller players for a rebounding. Opposing teams have to make adjustments because her defense and hustle are extremely disruptive to the offensive flow of the game and she is capable of locking down their best perimeter scoring threats. Even though Lloyd is a standout defensive player, she can hold her own offensively, she has nice crossover and hesitation dribble moves that, combined with her vertical leaping ability, allow her to blow by defenders. Her commitment to defense make her the type of player that for college coaches will be more than happy to add to their roster.

Taya Reimer, Indiana's Finest: At 6-3 Reimer is a rare combination of post size and wing agility. Even more impressive is that she very confident in her abilities as a rising sophomore. She is extremely patient on offense; in the post she understands how to feel the defenders position and use counter moves to score. Reimer can face the basket, she keeps defenders honest because the lefty has a smooth mid-range jump shot and has the ability to put the ball on the floor. Defensively, she reads screens well and does a great defending pick and roll situations. She rarely gets beat down the floor or backdoored because she is always paying attention to the action and is communicating with her teammates. Reimer is already has the tools to play D-1 basketball and if she continues to develop at his pace she will be one of the top recruits in her class.

Mark Lewis/ESPN HoopGurlzGifted with rare size and agility, Taya Reimer already has the tools to play at the D-1 level.

Donnaizha Fountain, 2013 City Rocks: The 5-9 wing from Roxbury, Mass., put herself on the radar this weekend by displaying her ultra-athletic acrobatic ability to score in the air. What distinguishes Fountain from the hundreds of other high-flying wings in the 2013 class is her toughness; she attacks the basket with no fear and has no problem drawing a foul. Fountain is not limited to just the dribble-drive, she has range and can knock down a 3-pointer. She is just as intense on defense; she consistently gets steals and deflections because of her lateral quickness. Fountain will need to become more efficient with her mid-range game because at some point she won't drive everything to the basket.

Top players break through at the Boro

• By Mark Lewis
  HoopGurlz
  Archive

Mark Lewis for ESPN.comDanielle McCray of the Tennessee Flight was a force both on the block and in the high post.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- The Battle in the Boro has continued to evolve into one of, if not the, event to wrap up the NCAA's first 10-day summer evaluation period. In its seventh year, the depth of competition and talent as well as the crowd of recruiters courtside has continually grown. Players on 210 teams competed in six separate divisions and represented 32 states as well as the District of Columbia.

With the eyes of so many college coaches and a continual challenge on every opposing bench, top performances were at a premium. While we couldn't see them all and time and space limit what we can share here, these are a few standouts worth noting.

Jeraldine Campbell, Mississippi Hoop Dreams: This confident 5-7 combo guard out of Macon, Miss., plays with both an edge and an attitude. Sometimes that's good … others not so much. With the ball in her hands she can create off the dribble and demonstrates one-on-one skills that would give most defenders gray hair. The stroke and jumper are there to go along with deep range as well as the pull-up shot to rely upon. In traffic she can slice through traffic as well as drop in a soft floater from the middle of the paint. On the other end of the floor the ability is there but the commitment and effort only make occasional appearances. When she does get in a stance and hawk the ball, she shows the potential to be a real stopper. In the end, scoring 20 and giving up 25 doesn't add up to very good math. If the ultra athletic Campbell can harness the focus to play every play at both ends of the floor she could make some real noise.

Mark Lewis for ESPN.comKhadijah Ellison of City Rocks almost defines having the ball on a string

Khadijah Ellison, City Rocks: When it comes to putting the ball on the floor and getting from A to B there may not be any more dynamic ballhandler than this Roxbury, Mass., native. The 5-7 combo guard almost defines "having the ball on a string." Whether it's a hesitation, crossover, between the legs or around the back, she keeps it low and wastes little effort working side to side before she attacks the rim. Making her even more difficult to contain or pick is the low level at which she keeps the ball. While she may keep the ball low, the rest of her play is high-flying. On her pull-up, off a lob or just hitting the boards she elevates as well as anyone on the floor. On her penetration she's willing and more than capable of reading helpside rotations and delivering some pinpoint, and often flashy, passes. She's got sound form and a nice touch from the perimeter as well as one of those rare true jumpers. Defensively, she's quick and aggressive on the ball but takes chances at times that will leave her reaching and out of position. On the weakside, she has good vision and anticipates well often making the pick on the skip or floated pass.

Joe Fenelon
NYCHoops.net Staff Writer

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Brianna Kiesel, from Utica Proctor HS, NY, was born and raised in Utica.

J. Fenelon
Brianna Kiesel

One thing is for sure her basketball skills will not allow her to reside locally too much longer. With offers pouring in from BIG EAST, ACC and Big Ten schools.

As a sophomore, Kiesel broke both her high school assists record (258 assists) and scoring record (1,245 points). Five games into her junior year, on a routine foul going to the hoop the 5-foot-7 point guard broke the scaphoid bone in her left (non-shooting) wrist, which sidelined her for the 2009-10 seasons. .

Kiesel, has been balling this summer with Albany based AAU team , City Rocks. By her play so far this summer, there are no post injury effects or jitters evidenced by a 25 point outing against Tennessee Flight at the Battle in the Boro in Tennessee, 25 point showing against Indiana Flight at the Run for the Roses Classic at Kentucky and also Earning All GymRat 1st Team in Albany, NY at the GymRat Challenge.

According to Kiesel,"I have two visit scheduled with Pitt and Illinois for after the summer. I plan on sitting with family and coaches after July to figure out the other three schools. I will sign in the early signing period."

Coach Keith Danzy From the Albany City Rocks told NYCHoops.net, "In my opinion, she is the best guard in the country. She has the best midrange game bar-none; she can be running full speed and stop at a drop of a dime and elevate like the guys on her jumper."

Danzy stated that the following schools have offered so far "Boston College, Pitt, Illinois, George Mason, Georgetown, Memphis, Syracuse, St John's, Indiana, Michigan and Michigan St."

Joe Fenelon
NYCHoops.net Staff Writer

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6-foot-3 Sarah Longto, a center at Kingston HS, averaged 5 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks in her junior season.

Sarah Longto

Last year, while teaming with 9 senior her role was to provided defensive presence in the middle while rebounding and protecting the paint but her role is about to change.

With the loss of one of the state best player Rachel Coffey (Syracuse) gone are her 20 points per game. Longto knows that her roll will change from this year. According to the rising senior, "In preparing for the change of role this upcoming season I have to be more aggressive on the offensive end; I will attend a big man camp in Albany, NY, also a camp in Atlanta in the summer. When I get back from the summer circuit and camps, I plan on organizing work-outs with my new Kingston HS teammates so we can build team chemistry."

This summer, Longto will be running with the Albany City Rocks on the summer circuit. Her AAU Coach, Keith Danzy, says "Her upside is tremendous once she starts to believe in her offensive ability: on defense she helps protect the house."
Longto said she does not want to attend a school further than three hours from home and that she plans on majoring in Sports management in order to become an Athletic Director.

Currently hold a 2.6 GPA and 1230 SAT score, Coach Danzy informed NYCHoops.net that Longto received her first offer from "Fordham" and is receiving heavy interest from "Vermont, St Francis, Drexel, Cornell and Bryant.".

Joe Fenelon
NYCHoops.net Staff Writer

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Albany, NY -- NYCHoops.net was on the scene to check the girls action at the GymRat Challenge and was particularly impressed by players from the local Albany City Rocks team.

J. Fenelon
Briana Keisel, Coach Keith Danzy & Khadejah Ellison

City Rock had two guards, who both where worth the price of admittance in Briana Keisel andKhadejah Ellison.

City Rocks U16

Brianna Keisel 5'6 "PG (Utica Proctor HS Utica, NY 2011). Head coach Keith Danzy said that Keisel had offers from " Pitt, Syracuse, Indiana, Illinois, St John's, Georgetown, Michigan and Michigan St. Boston College has not yet offered they are in the picture".

Keisel does whatever the team needs her to do to win. In the first game they were down twenty in the first half, so in the second half she hit five 3-pointers and scored a game high 38 points albeit in a losing effort. In the other two pool play games, which City Rocks won, Keisel scored 15 points and 14 points while she also look to get others involved.


Khadejah Ellison 5'8" G (J. E. Burke HS, MA 2011) - Ellison is a super athlete that can grab the rim at her size-- yes you heard it right grab the rim. Ellison makes every think look easy and can play the lead or off the ball. Coach Danzy said she holds offers from "USC, Memphis, Alabama, Indiana, Dayton, Texas, Providence, Boston College and many more."


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