The following is a continued list of players that caught our attention during the Nike Camp. The scouting reports are a combination of the notes taken by Capri Small and Bob Richards from the camp. Players are listed by jersey number...
Also extremely large and strong but with a quick first step and soft touch around the basket. Lots of polishing of her game to do. Reach: 7'07, Wingspan: 6'02.
Not a superstar player, but a hard worker who's strong and smart on the court. Her value as a player certainly makes her top 40 rankings by some valid. Where should we start? Boxes out well. She's very mobile in the paint, as you won't catch her standing around. Doesn't take crap from anyone. She functions in the open court using her speed, but mostly is very good at reading the opponent. She gets some open court steals by anticipating the passes. Multi-talented. Reach: 7'10, Wingspan: 6'03.
No. 68 - Teresa Borton, 2001, 6'3, West Valley HS (WA)
We were surprised to see her national ranking in the top 30, since she didn't seem to have the same game as peers ranked lower. Had a forgettable morning 3-on-3 session on Sunday, was so-so in the afternoon, but later came alive in the evening. She was full-steam in the evening session, when similar athletes like Greenwalt were slowing down a bit. Good rebounder. Can slide under for position unless you box her out hard. Didn't show too much offense, but had some great hustle plays. Reach: 8'00, Wingspan: 6'02.
Ann's play reminded me very much of Katie Douglas. She was slight in build with arms and legs the size of toothpicks, but was every where on the court. She got numerous steals and loose balls, rebounded very well, and could also knock down the 3. She is an excellent ball-handler and crisp passer. Sometimes a little too hard with the passes. Her constant cutting and weaving makes her a load to defend because it is just a matter of time before she will get open. Sometimes has a little hop before she takes off, which will draw some travelling calls. With some time in the weight room she should be an impact player in college. Nasty looking knee brace on her left knee, but it didn't seem to slow her down a bit.
A danger in the low post. Loves to run the baseline underneath the basket, then power up the shot. She uses her body really well, putting defenders off-balance with nice leverage. Knows a lot about what she can do offensively and what a defender cannot do without drawing a foul. She's an all-power power forward.
No. 72 - Hazel Joseph, 2001, 6'3, Choctaw HS (OK)
Very athletic and active post player. Could leap out of the building. Was aggressive enough to post up and block up down low. A good post defender and ran the floor very well. Possesses a soft little baby hook and some smooth moves in the paint.
No. 73 - Elizabeth Sherwood, 2003, 6'3, Douglas County HS (CO)
It's hard to believe she's in the class of 2003, but she's lucky she is. Two of the following five players we review rank as the most physically intimidating centers at Nike. Sherwood would be the third most intimidating. The Nike program lists her at 190 pounds, but she may be bigger than that. So incredibly strong, but she is lucky she has a couple more years to work on her endurance. She has two games. When you see her in a half-court, 3-on-3 matchup, she's one of the best players at Nike. She can score at will, and grab almost any rebound she wants without having to jump very much to get it. In 3-on-3 play, she dominated 6'3, 175-pound Teresa Borton. But later in full-court action, she labors up and down the court. By the evening, all her rebounds were flat-footed, and her defensive abilities began to wane. Improve the endurance, and her game will be complete. She will never be the fastest up the court, and may not be the type of center to have on a run-and-gun team, but she owns the paint when she isn't winded.
The second most intimidating center at the camp, coming in at 6'4 and 270 pounds. She is a huge defender. No one is stronger. Can draw a ton of fouls, but we worry about her ability to convert. The only freethrow we saw was an airball. Much quicker than Elizabeth Sherwood, but still ran out of gas after about three minutes of fastbreak, up and down basketball. You could see her pacing herself a little, slow to the paint, then a couple of hard bangs and score. Talked to her high school coach Dwayne Tubbs on the sideline who says she is a smart player who doesn't tend to waste much energy unless she has to. That may not sound like a good thing, but it is. There is no getting past he endurance, but she scores at will when she gets into position. She'll be scooped up by a team who favors the halfcourt and she will thrive. Her coach says all the PAC10 with the exception of Stanford is after her.
No. 77 - Ashli Schwab, 2001, 6'2, Elco HS (PA)
She will be all-BigTen within a couple years at Penn State. Quite an athlete in the post. Really gets up to catch inlet passes, allowing guards to lob high passes over equally sized post defenders. Very efficient moves to the basket on the pivot. The catch and the scoring move are almost one fluid motion. Defenders have to muscle her or she will slide around and score. Reach: 7'08, Wingspan: 6'01.
Her performance at the 2000 Nike Camp against other ranked center prospects should go to prove she is worthy of a top five ranking at her position, or maybe higher. She has nice body size, but could add a little strength. While stronger centers can manage position against her, few can run the floor as she can. She has a nice soft jumper when facing the basket out to about 12 feet. She establishes good post position and really makes a huge target with her long arms. Seen to shoot over her post defender more than pivot around. A very physical player, not afraid to mix it up down low. She also does an outstanding job of isolating her man. Makes very good decisions. Defense rates above average, as do her offensive skills. She's active and tireless. Reach: 8'03, Wingspan: 6'04.
No. 80 - Gillian Goring, 2002, 6'6, Germantown Academy (PA)
Gillian had the attention of most of the coaches in attendance. She is athletic for a player who is 6'6 - rebounded well and had good court vision. Due to her height and shotblocking ability, the most intimidating center at the camp. She would often grab a rebound and make an outlet pass to a streaking guard who had already passed the midcourt line. She also could knock down the high block shot. Her only negative was that she did not play with as much aggression as many of the other players, and could be pushed around. She would frequently call for the ball but couldn't seal off. Excellent shotblocker. Can handle most blocks flat-footed in the paint, and once soared out to the perimeter to slap a three-attempt into the crowd. Average hands. But you can't coach height - all the major schools will be going for her. Reach: 8'04, Wingspan: 6'08.
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