Volunteer Prospects' 2015 Fall Exposure League Championship Week Evaluation

I was very excited to have Volunteer Prospects (www.Volspecs.com) evaluator Andrew Little travel to Memphis on Saturday to evaluate Championship Week of the Fall Exposure League. It was an awesome opportunity for players to get additional exposure from participating in the league.

From his evaluation, Mr. Little was not disappointed about making the 5 hour drive from Chattanooga to check out the talented players from Memphis and the surrounding area. This is what he had to say:
 

In search of the top 40 players in the region, we had the pleasure of meeting one of the pioneers of  Memphis girls basketball, Patosha Jeffery.  A former University of Memphis player herself, she has become instrumental in mentoring and developing aspiring athletes in the western Tennessee area.  Coming from east TN, we decided to drop in and evaluate the talent, and quite honestly we were shocked from the beginning.  In the event alone, at least 10 players will be invited to the Elite 40 camp next August which was more than expected.  Memphis, which is historically known for its rich roots and basketball culture, did not disappoint.   I am proud to say girls basketball in Memphis is alive and well, and when girls basketball in Memphis is alive and well, it is not only good for Tennessee…..but good for girls basketball.  Below is a recap on what we learned from a few standouts and Elite 40 invitees on Saturday.

Taylor Woodhouse

2021 G Taylor Woodhouse:  Perhaps the youngest player we had an opportunity to evaluate today, was very impressive and is worthy to keep an eye on in the future.  The smallest on the floor, but was easily the most active for her team.  She was very patient running the offense, and consistently attacked the middle of the paint to get to the rim.  Had questioned her outside shooting ability until she swung around off of a screen and nailed a three pointer.

Gazmyne Herndon

2018 SG Sade’ Hudson: A product of Trezevant, Sade’ was the first eye opener of the morning.  She didn’t waste any time getting her team in a position to win, displaying great shooting form and balance from beyond the arc going 3 for 3, scoring 11 of her team’s first 16 points.  She was also the high scorer of the day finishing the game with 28.  It should be noted that she had her IQ and skill set on full display in transition, recording a few no look assists as well.  2016 SG Gazmyne Herndon (Douglas) was also a main contributor showing off her great athleticism in transition.



2018 G Taylor Lattimore (Arlington): Perhaps the most complete player of the day and the league’s leading scorer (18.5ppg), she has an explosive first step and the uncanny ability to break down her defender and get inside the lane to wreak havoc.  Taylor also has nice shooting touch combined with top end speed to defend on or off the ball and deliver pin point passes in transition, a sure fire Div. 1 player.  She combined with 2018 G Tanniesha Metcalf (Southaven), who also has some of the exact same attributes as Lattimore making it almost impossible to guard the paint.  When inside penetration was denied, the twin sister of Metcalf, Tyeniesha showed outside shooting ability that made Team Baylor impossible to defeat.  Best trio of guards I saw by far.



2017 PF Tamia Jones (White Station):  Standing nearly 6 ft tall and with brute strength, Tamia was a force in the paint, scoring consistently with her back to the basket.  She either altered or blocked a high percentage of shots in the lane, and for a stretch of time, she single handedly kept her team in the game against the talented front court of Team Baylor.

Zakyia Head

2017 SG Zakyia Head (Cordova) was impressive shooting the long ball with great accuracy, had very high energy, and also very high feel and IQ for the game.  I could tell she was very comfortable with her game.



2017 G Bionka Massie (FACS) Bionka didn’t necessarily have a great night as far as numbers, she struggled as far as field goal percentage, but I evaluate talent and I know it when I see it.  When I saw her size combined with her athleticism, I have to believe she just had an “off” day…..it happens.  She can easily and effectively play the 1-4 without missing a beat.  She has near perfect shooting form from beyond the arc, and very nice ball handling skills.  She got to the basket at will at times, and despite her being a little off, I was very impressed with her game.  2020 F Tieriney Echols (MAHS) was a great compliment to Massie as well.

Dontrecia Johnson

 
2017 PG Dontrecia Johnson (Overton) started off from the tip with a nice bounce pass to score the first points of the game.  Dontrecia is a small, but very fundamental guard who impressed me with her poise, leadership and fundamentals of the game, however her pressure defense was second to none in the championship game against Team Tennessee.



2017 SG Zaire Hicks (Desoto Central) also a small and compact guard who has incredible lower body strength, which enabled her to power her way to the basket against her defender.  She also can handle the ball well, and she shot the long ball with great confidence.

Elizabeth Dixon

2018 F Elizabeth Dixon (Ridgeway) Standing at a slender 6’3 tall, it took a little while for her to get it going, but her length defensively bothered the opposition.  She has a great upside, and is a natural shot blocker.

Akeria James

2019 PG Akeria James (Craigmont) really made an impression with her poise and off the charts ball handling capability.  She is a young guard with a huge upside, seem to not get rattled under pressure and the most important thing is she was efficient and didn’t turn the ball over much for Team Tennessee.  


These are just a few of the notables that I had the opportunity to see, and I am hoping to return again, this was a great event.