2011 Rage on River Report

It's been quite some time since I put up a report and thought the Rage on the River would be a great opportunity to see how our local teams and players would look against some outside competition. I camped out at Southwest Tennessee Community College on Saturday to check out some of the 16U competition. Then on Sunday was at Hickory Hill MB Church to check out the 15U squads.

Top Point Guard

The best looking point guard playing in the 16U division was actually a 10th grader, Shunice Herron (Lady Bobcats - Platinum/Bolivar). She is a game changer type of player. She is an extremely aggressive offensive point guard and keeps the defense on their toes. She can cross over dribble from left to right. However, her favorite and most effective move is penetrating to the right. She keeps her head up looking to get the ball to teammates and can shoot the 3 ball. If she adds penetration to her left, defenders will have an even more difficult time stopping her.

Land of the Combo Forwards

Height is something you can not teach and its was some what of a rarity in the Memphis area. But times seems like it is changing. Kelsey Briggs (Team Memphis Elite-Daniels/Munford), Lauren Douglas (Team Memphis Elite-Daniels/Briarcrest), Jalen O'Banion (Lady Bobcats - Platinum/Central) are all over 6'0, possess extremely long wing spans, can play multiple positions on the block and perimeter, has outside shots and can handle the basketball.

The Future

Team Tennessee Glory - 15U is stacked. It was great to see Jasmine Cincore (Central) back on the perimeter at point guard after playing mostly in the block at Central. She has a strong body build. She can shoot the three. But her most impressive move is her ability to get to the basket going left into a left-handed layup and she is a righty. Ashley Jackson (Ridgeway) got some on-the-job-training at the point position at Ridgeway but with the Glory she is on the wing. And she finds ways to score. Whether going in for rebounds and stick backs, getting steals and layups, of just plain getting fouled and getting to the foul line, she is a worker. Chyna Ellis (Arlington) at over 6 feet is also impressive. I loved her ability to get blocks without making body contact. Her wing span definitely gives her the ability to make her presence known in the paint. She can score around the block area extended, but with added strength, she will be able to stretch her scoring beyond the block.

Extra, Extra

Jasmine Cincore

Chyna Ellis

Ashley Jackson

College coaches are already taking notice of the Team Tennessee Glory - 15U players. Offers are already coming through including a recent offer from UAB for Jasmine Cincore, Chyna Ellis and Ashley Jackson.