EAVERTON, Ore. -- Last week, 20 of the top players from across the country came together on the Nike Campus for a four-day intensive skill session under the direction of lead skill instructor Ganon Baker. Also on hand and providing evaluations for the participants were legendary coaches Jody Conradt, Joe Ciampi, Theresa Grentz and Billie Moore.
The roster featured 16 of the nation's top rising seniors as well as four athletes from the 2011 class. Every player is ranked by ESPN HoopGurlz within their respective class. California led the way with five representatives, while Texas added four to a mix that featured 10 different states.
Over the next couple of days we'll be taking a look at each of the participants and how they fared in one of the summer's most competitive and intense settings.
In the past, 6-foot-5 Stefanie Dolson has exhibited the physical attributes and skills to warrant her being ranked No. 14 in the ESPN HoopGurlz Hundred. The UConn-commit from Minisink Valley High School in New York had trouble demonstrating the same potential that makes her the top ranked true low-post player in the class of 2010. Dolson still stands 6-5, but less than adequate conditioning made some of Baker's demands a considerable challenge. However, she showed flashes of willingness to post up and good pass-catching skills. She has an advanced understanding of screens and angles that should permanently put her on the Christmas card list of any of the guards benefiting from their use. The touch and ability to finish that she and her teammates can usually count on were seen only in glimpses with fatigue robbing her of any lift from her legs. No doubt she'll be able to play herself into shape throughout the July evaluation period and hopefully put behind any extended absences from a conditioning program.
The toughest competition Cassie Harberts faces every time she takes the floor isn't the opposition. The 6-2 forward from San Clemente, Calif., challenges herself more than other players or coaches ever could -- and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Harberts has made substantial and impressive strides in her game over the past year and climbed to the No. 9 spot in the ESPN HoopGurlz Hundred for the 2010 class. Offensively, she has the versatility that college coaches are looking for at the forward spot, particularly if their lineup features a big-bodied low post. Her form and range can keep defenders honest and even more impressive is her ability to create her own shot off the drive. While she demonstrated that ability to get to the rim time after time, she did have several shots blocked and a few other attempts altered with some of the leaping posts rotating her way. A good shot fake will help her finish in the traffic she'll face at the next level. At the defensive end, she has the size and strength to defend on the block and the mobility to match up with other forwards on the perimeter. The right style of play and coaching staff in her college choice will be critical to helping her meet the demands she has of herself.
If coaches are looking for a point guard who can play instinctively, then 5-11 Chelsea Gray from St. Mary's High School in California may be just what they're looking for. Gray is ranked No. 15 overall in a class that features seven point guards in the top 20. Her ability to create both shots and passes with the ball in her hands makes her a weapon that has to be the focus of opposing defenses. She reads her opponents and sees the floor from the time she takes the entry pass in the backcourt. There is a natural feel to her game and she's comfortable directing her teammates in transition or in the half-court set. The form and range on her shot is sound and she gets off the floor well on her jumper. There are times that her shot selection may raise an eyebrow or two and occasionally she'll be a little stagnate off the ball, but neither is an issue that isn't easily resolved. The bigger concern revealed by the high level of competition may be foot speed and on-ball defense. It's not bad by any means, but it's not where it needs to be for a player of her caliber.
To say that any of these athlete's best basketball is in front of them is simply stating the obvious. To say it about Richa Jackson from Midwest City, Okla., is making a very valid point. The 6-0 wing, currently ranked third in the 2010 class, is just scratching the surface of what she might be able to do on the floor. Combining size, strength and a set of very fluid moves, she's a difficult matchup for any defender. Each session her comfort level on the court rose and she became more effective on every touch. While her first step doesn't appear explosive, the results are the same and she gets into the paint time and again. Her pull-up jumper is something she can count on, but she'll need to be more consistent at extended ranges to force defenders to play her tighter on the perimeter. Physically she has the stature and build that college conditioning coaches dream of getting hold of and pushing to the limit. Added strength and tone makes the limit of her potential up to her.
Not many players today can appreciate what it means to be compared to Pistol Pete Maravich, but check out some old videos online and you'll see why Shoni Schimmel often receives that compliment. Ranked No. 10 in the class, the 5-9 point guard from Oregon is extraordinarily creative and deceptive with the ball in her hands. Her passing instincts allow her to read and freeze defenses, while creating shots for her teammates. She has a willingness to almost wait in the middle of a pass allowing opponents to react before she delivers the ball. Her own shot has tremendous range, but some interesting hand placement on the ball leads to some occasional inconsistency. The two question marks in her game may well be tied together. Footspeed and defense aren't at the top of Schimmel's highlight list and while one may be physical, the other often appears to be a choice. Quickness can be improved and defensive spacing can be taught. However, there has to be a focus to get in a stance and a desire to get a stop.
Easily one of the most impressive performances came from recent Duke-verbal Haley Peters. The 6-3 New Jersey native has all the tools to play both the wing and forward spot very well. What sets Peters apart is the complete approach she takes to everything she does on the floor. Her focus is sharp, her work ethic equal to any and her ability to take instruction and apply it is rare. The No. 17 ranked prospect is in constant motion -- with and without the ball -- and she stays involved at both ends of the floor. The combination of size and perimeter skills gives her the versatility to be effective whether in the post or on the perimeter. She has both good form and range on her shot as well as the ability to finish near the glass. Time and again during breaks the Peddie School standout would remain on the floor taking additional reps on her own with the skills being taught. She may well be the ACC's female Tyler Hansbrough in terms of drive and commitment to excellence. The folks at Duke may not like the comparison, but they're sure going to love the results.
It's not like there was ever any doubt that Odyssey Sims could play with the best of them, after all she's never been ranked out of the top 10 in her class. The question was whether she was going to just be a good player or push her potential to become something more. The 5-8 point guard out of Macarthur High School in Texas has established herself as the top floor general in a class seemingly loaded with point guards. What's more, she's done it by being one of the best on-ball defenders to come along in a long while. Her ability to control an opposing ballhandler can disrupt the pace of the other team, which often leads to turnovers and transition baskets. Offensively, she's aggressive on the drive and has added range and consistency to her perimeter shot. While her form is fine, her release is low and almost off her left shoulder, which could become a problem against bigger defenders. The real growth has come in the form of leadership and maturity on the floor. Currently the No. 4 prospect in the country, she appears to have embraced her role and takes ownership of her responsibilities at the point.
Cierra Burdick has all the tools to be the most dominant player in her class. The 6-2 wing out of North Carolina and Matthews High School has great size, impressive athleticism and refined skills. Ranked No. 3 in the initial ranking of the 2011 class, Burdick may climb those next two rungs on the ladder before all is said and done. A true nightmare for opposing defenders, she has the size to post up a smaller guard as well as the skills to attack and go by opponents with more height. She finishes around the rim effectively and has a running floater that is difficult to stop. She shoots it well from the perimeter and has the range to go deep. The missing aspect in her shooting is consistency, which appears to be the result of a forward motion in her shot. What will have to come for her to take the next step in her play is a willingness to dominate every play. She seems to pick her spots and use measured effort at times rather than take over as she's capable. She has the potential to make an impact on virtually every play.
While she may be the No. 2 prospect in the 2011 class, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis just may be the number one shooter nationwide in any class. The 6-0 wing out of Matre Dei in California has the stroke and range to take over a game from long distance and she can do it with defenders in her face. Off the dribble, she has an explosive step-back move that creates space and allows her to easily get good high-percentage looks. When she continues on to the hole she's willing to put her body on her defender and use her size to protect the ball. Her physical strength is impressive and makes her a difficult matchup for smaller guards. She'll need to become a more versatile scorer to counter the scouting that will come at the next level, but the tools and potential are already there. Defensively, she's smart, aggressive and focused but often tires. Consistent conditioning will be a factor to keep her efficient and at her best. If she establishes herself as more than just a shooter she could lay claim to the top spot in the class.
The upside for Alexyz Vaioletama may take up too much space to write. The 6-1 forward, also from Matre Dei in California, has size, strength, quickness and speed as well as an improving smoothness to her movement. Add to that the fact that she seems to improve virtually every time she takes the floor and that she's coached by one of the top high school coaches on the West Coast, Kevin Kiernan, and you've got something special. Her aggressive play and willingness to mix things up has her well suited for the next level already. The attack in her game offensively has her finishing better around the rim and she's become much more effective at reading and reacting to defenders. It's obvious that she has worked on her perimeter skills, but they are still a thought rather than a reaction. Regardless, they will ultimately allow her to play on the wing down the road. Defensively, she has the ability to match up at almost any position including any spot in a press. The intensity and enthusiasm with which she plays will take her a long way.
