The Plug; February 2-3

The Juel League opening session last weekend displayed a large variety of talented players, solid coaching and quality competitive basketball.

The Juel Prep level has solid teams across the board; the young talent is exciting, competitive and hungry. There is a combination and variety of talent and styles of players, as well as a lot of length and athleticism.

The Juel level has solid coaching, IQ players and cohesive teams; all players are on the same page, battle every possession, and execute on both ends of the floor. There are quality uncommitted seniors with length, athleticism and production on various rosters. In the 2020 class, combo guards and versatile forwards are showing game and craftiness.

The grouping system of separating grades 9-10 in Prep and 11-12 in Juel is one I’m a fan of. I understand the benefits of playing up for the long term improvement, but from a scout’s perspective I like the quality of evaluations when watching kid’s play with their age group.

Juel Prep; Grade 9-10

Advantage Titans are led by an elite 2022 G Mary Asare; she operates downhill in the open court, gets to the rim both ways and finish through contact or drops the dime. Handles it comfortably and good decision maker – high IQ. Shoots the spot up 3 ball smoothy. Tough defender, solid on ball – makes hustle plays, jumps passing lanes for steals and deflections. Rebounds aggressively both ends and eats on offensive rebounds. 

The Titans have depth on the roster, play at a fast pace on both ends, and fuel offense from their defensive intensity. This team will be hard to beat – they have size, athleticism and skill.

Windsor Valliants Prep 2021 combo guard Jamilah Christian had a great performance – showing improvement on her penetration game and decision making in the open court. This team has a large variety of tools, solid athleticism and the ability to play at a fast pace.

Blessed Sacrament showed up and showed out; the roster is filled with several solid scorers, good decision makers and Coach Abella runs a system well-tailored to the pieces she has. They are looking to be a tough competitor this year.

SBA Blues has a roster full of athleticism and scorers. 2022 5’10 F Shannon Neita has upped her intensity and skillset significantly since the last NPH Showcase! Alum 2022 5’11 F Skylar Forbes has also shown an improved ability of scoring at the rim off dribble penetration, as well as a significant defensive presence. Veteran play from 2021 group of 5’3 PG Zakora Ishmael, 5’3 combo Kiarra Kelly, 5’9 combo Ruqaya Green and 5’11 F Laila Wright have been key in Coach Breedy’s game plan execution.

 

Juel; Grade 11-12

Blessed Sacrament 2019 F Jessica Paoloni brings a lot to the table for BSYJ. She has a strong presence inside, moves well off rim penetration, seals hard and scores or looks to kick out for ball movement. Competes on the defensive end; rebounds and alters shots. She brings an inside presence that facilitates the offense from the inside out.

Tri-County Soldiers, Canada Elite ‘Under Armour’ Invitational champions, came out with the same purpose and grit this past weekend. The team has several good athletes and tough competitors, but their team chemistry is strong and evident in every possession – they’re going to be really tough to beat!

Niagara Juel has several solid players on the roster, but 2020 5’8 G Kayley Demont stood out on Saturday! The combo guard showed good versatility, contribution on and off the ball and the ability to create for her teammates or score at the rim.

Transway has lengthy and dynamic players on the perimeter and crafty forwards playing around the rim. They defend well, play off the bounce and score above the defense. 2019 F Claire Sutherland-Case has been instrumental in their success, but this Hamilton team has serious depth in the “lengthy-G/F-who-rebounds-scores-passes-defends-and-runs” category – use pass fakes against them.

Select fans were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of 2019 6’4 F Kate Moran; cerebral baller with unbelievable length, coordination, skill and versatility. The game is lucky to have her back on the court.

For more videos from the weekend click here.

Made Hoops; Rose League; Brooklyn, NY

The Brampton Warriors x Sisters Keeper team finished off an impressive weekend 7-0 with convincing victories over solid competition!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtaMgMxn5I6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

UPlay East finished off 4-0. Combo guard Summer Bostock continues to gather interest and turn heads on the sidelines. Crafty shooter who also penetrates to create scoring opportunities around the rim.

UPlay West finished 3-1 on the weekend. The team qualifies for the Championship weekend in March!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BteL26HAYu8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

OSBA

Crestwood extends their winning streak against gritty and tough Capital Courts at home on Saturday!

Watch the full game online here.

Durham Elite gets a solid home victory against Louis-Riel on Saturday, defeating them 65-52.

Lo Ellen Prep loses a close on on the road at King’s Christian, 58-62.

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