PATERSON, NJ - The home of NBA Legend Tim Thomas, was mob this weekend with girl's High School Basketball teams from as far as the state of Florida. New Jersey Sparks held it's 6th Annual A New Year's Resolution Showcase which featured some 40 teams from the East Coast, it started on Friday with a bang and ended on Sunday with a bang. Gthing only got to attend the Showcase on Saturday but it was worth the trip, not because of the fine cuisine they serve for all college coaches and media outlets, but because of all the the talent that was packed in two different location for this Major Event that had came through The Silk City.
WHO WE SAW AT A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION 2016
SHOW STOPPERS
De'Siree Allen - 2017 - 5'10 - Wing - Neptune HS, (NJ) - Very high motor, they run a lot of plays for her in the post where she uses her speed and jumping ability to get to the basket. Quick first step.... Showed her Versatility in the paint...Very active on the glass... Have to put on some size.
Destiny Philoxy - 2018 - 5'7 - Guard - South Shore HS, (NY) - A skilled guard who has the ability to be good, she just doesn't realize it yet. Pass first mind set, which is a good thing at times of determining who to get ball to at crucial moments. Plays under control... Nice frame... Raw talent.
Rebecca Lawrence - 2016 - 6'3 - Forward - Ridgefield HS, (CT) - Good fundamentals this Delaware University signee has, knows how to play in the post with or without the ball. Lawrence has good foot work, calls for it in mismatch situation. More deadlier in the post... Length and Height... Mid-Range game...
Latice Cunningham - 2017 - 5'4 - Point Guard - John F Kennedy HS, (NJ) - Small guard who can surprisingly create her own shot because of her speed and willingness to stay in attack mode. Shifty... Great Ball Handler.... Loves to attack...
Jayla Hodges - 2017 - 5'9 - Wing - Patrick School HS, (NJ) - Started off hot knocking down 4 three's in the first half but cool off down the stretch of the game. Hodges shouldn't be left open at anytime or your team will pay the price. Consistent jump shooter... Knows how to get open... Good Forum...
Latice Cunningham - 2017 - 5'4 - Point Guard - John F Kennedy HS, (NJ) - Small guard who can surprisingly create her own shot because of her speed and willingness to stay in attack mode. Shifty... Great Ball Handler.... Loves to attack...
Jayla Hodges - 2017 - 5'9 - Wing - Patrick School HS, (NJ) - Started off hot knocking down 4 three's in the first half but cool off down the stretch of the game. Hodges shouldn't be left open at anytime or your team will pay the price. Consistent jump shooter... Knows how to get open... Good Forum...
Aliyah Powell - 2017 - 5'4 - Guard - Patrick School HS, (NJ) - A very good role player in which everyone needs on one team or another, true floor general who maintains a good pace in plays under control. Leader on the floor... Likes to push the rock...
Tajae Stevenson - 2017 - 6'0 - Wing - John F Kennedy HS, (NJ) - Stevenson has a nice all round game, in this game she played with a chip on her shoulder. Playing with a attitude all week helped her stock rise. Inside outside game... Good stroke... Can knock down the Money ball... Mid-range game...
Quadasha Hoppie - 2017 - 5'9 - Combo Guard - Patrick School HS, (NJ) - Big physical Guard, who just about did everything this past weekend to beat Paterson Eastside NJ, she had the Lady Ghost smaller guards at her mercy. High basketball IQ.... Wont shy away from contact... Good ball handling ability...
Valerie Nesbitt - 2017 - 5'7 - Point Guard - Potter's House Christian Academy HS, (FL) - If she was on this team last year Gthing didn't recognize her, because they where so loaded with talent. Very aggressive on offence.... Quick... Can change hands while in mid air to defend off her defenders...
Jabarria "Butter" Brown - 2019 - 5'7 - Point Guard - Patterson Eastside HS, (NJ) - This youngster had the chance to be in Gthing All- Star game bu it looks like we missed out, Brown has great upside to be in the class of 2019. Showed a lot of potential this weekend, and we should be hearing her name more often. Not quite there.... Showed some goods signs.... not scared of the challenge...
Tajae Stevenson - 2017 - 6'0 - Wing - John F Kennedy HS, (NJ) - Stevenson has a nice all round game, in this game she played with a chip on her shoulder. Playing with a attitude all week helped her stock rise. Inside outside game... Good stroke... Can knock down the Money ball... Mid-range game...
Quadasha Hoppie - 2017 - 5'9 - Combo Guard - Patrick School HS, (NJ) - Big physical Guard, who just about did everything this past weekend to beat Paterson Eastside NJ, she had the Lady Ghost smaller guards at her mercy. High basketball IQ.... Wont shy away from contact... Good ball handling ability...
Valerie Nesbitt - 2017 - 5'7 - Point Guard - Potter's House Christian Academy HS, (FL) - If she was on this team last year Gthing didn't recognize her, because they where so loaded with talent. Very aggressive on offence.... Quick... Can change hands while in mid air to defend off her defenders...
Jabarria "Butter" Brown - 2019 - 5'7 - Point Guard - Patterson Eastside HS, (NJ) - This youngster had the chance to be in Gthing All- Star game bu it looks like we missed out, Brown has great upside to be in the class of 2019. Showed a lot of potential this weekend, and we should be hearing her name more often. Not quite there.... Showed some goods signs.... not scared of the challenge...
Kasha Austin - 2016 - 5'11 - Combo Guard - Potter's House Christian Academy HS, (FL) - Big Guard who has some size on her, Potter's House always seems to have some good scrappy guards who likes to come full throttle. Austin is a good defender who has some athleticism, when on offense she has a killer mentality, she can hit any mid-range shot and even step out in hit the three at times. Good range... Creates space with her big frame... Little handle...
Diamond Shavis - 2018 - 5'10 - Wing - South Shore HS, (NY) - Wing who we didn't see shoot very much, seen a whole lot of other intangible that where impressive. Very active... High motor...
Andra Espinoza - Hunter - 2017 - 5'11 - Wing - Blair Academy HS, (NJ) - Hunter who has already committed to U Conn, has had to take on a heavy load as of lately in some of Blair Academy's showcase event's that they participated in. The team has played without Honesty Grayson for sometime now, so now Andra is the lone star. Great shooter who can score... Can handle the ball at times... D1 material...
DIME PIECES
Brianna Love - 2017 - 5'7 - Point Guard - Neptune HS, (NJ) - Play well down the stretch in there lost to South Shore (NY).
Andrea Aquino - 2018 - 6'9 - Post - Paterson Eastside HS, (NJ) - Really starting to develop her game, especially around the rim. Grabbing a lot of rebounds calling for the ball in the post, being more aggressive and learning how to use her body more.
Janeen Camp - 2017 - 6'5 - Post - TPLS HS, (VA) - Major D1 prospect, has the body for the next level. Has to be more aggressive on the offensive side of the ball, but definitely plays well on defense and is very aggressive doing that.
Jasmine Gaines - 2017 - 5'5 - Guard - Potter's House Christian Academy HS, (FL) - Quick scrappy guard who is always in attack mode, plays hard on both sides of the ball.
Naomi Ekwedike - 2016 - 6'6 - Post - Potter's House Christian Academy HS, (FL) - Someone who has done a complete 360 turn around, Ekwedike knows now how to play down low now and be more assertive in the offense. When she really get in shape I'm sure we will be hearing hear name.
