The girls’ session of the Select Hoops Proving Grounds was
extremely loaded with local talent, confirming my theory that girls basketball
in Massachusetts is as good, if not better, than any state in New England. The
players were put through full court drills, stations and ended the night with
an hour of 5-on-5 action.
The field included 40+ players from various AAU programs and
everywhere you turned there was fundamentally sound basketball being played. The
coaches were thoroughly impressed with the girls’ willingness to play team
basketball – which is a testament to the talented coaches in the state.
8th Grade:
Gianna Palli,
Wellesley: This quick guard wore number 9 at the showcase and showed
flashes of the Celtics number 9 (Rajon Rondo) as she set the table for her
teammates all night. She was a more than willing passer, extremely
fundamentally sound and played with a smile.
Amanda Minsk,
Walpole: This lefty guard from Walpole is an extremely strong ball handler.
In the 1-on-1 drill, she was able to exploit weaker guards with her strength in
the paint. Also, an above average shooter.
Emma Eberhardt,
Sharon: This tall wing player shined during 5-on-5 action as she displayed
the ability to knock down shots and take her man off the bounce. She was very
cognizant of where the 3-point line was, found it, and knocked down multiple
bombs.
Lauren Ferreira,
Westport: This feisty guard from Westport played with an attitude and
competitiveness that coaches love. She was very explosive, unselfish and could
finish in the paint.
Kara Bendanillo,
Mansfield: When the lights came on for 5-on-5 action, this athletic guard
from Mansfield turned her game up. She had a sequence where she scored eight
straight points and mixed in a steal.
Rachael Johnson,
Norton: This long, explosive guard from Norton lived up to her hype as she
stood out in every drill and during game play.
She had no problem getting to the rack and can finish with both hands
fluently. In addition to a polished offensive game, Johnson was willing to play
interior D and get in the passing lanes.
Brenna Pipe,
Franklin: This tall guard did a nice job of handling the ball and putting
defenders on her back while getting to the rim. She also showed the ability to
mix it up with bigger players and knock down long-range shots.
Brittany Raphino,
Randolph: This tall, athletic forward was one of the standouts in the
evening session. She was impressive during every stage of the event. She
dominated the paint on both ends and was unmatched running the floor – with or
without the ball. She is a great finisher and distributor.
Barbara Ronca,
Braintree: This wiry guard was arguably the most impressive player of the
bunch. She showed an unrivaled ability to get open in the 1-on-1 drill, and
when she received the ball she punished defenders. She handled the ball well,
can score at will and was unselfish. She is a very complete player.
Sabrina Zeghibe,
Westwood: Her reputation as a shooter preceded her (and she lived up to it),
but she proved that she is much more than just an outside weapon. She was a
great play maker setting up her teammates and was able to score in a variety of
way during game play and drills.
Taylor Frazzette,
Needham: This wing player had a solid evening as she stood out with her
effort plays on both ends of the court. She has a willingness to match strength
with players taller than her and is a good finisher.
Nataliya Amaral,
Walpole: This long forward was a major bright spot on her 5-on-5 team that
went undefeated. She did a great job in the post offensively and was a menace
on the defensive end, creating lots of turnovers.
Kassidy Fields,
Norton: A tough guard/forward, Fields was solid at all facets of the game.
She did a nice job on the glass, played good hard defense and had no problem
making plays offensively.
Emma Hume, Braintree:
Although she was unable to play 5-on-5 since she is coming off a concussion, it
was evident during drills/stations that Hume was one of the best forwards at
the Proving Grounds.
Kawai Martin,
Lexington: Martin had a knack for scoring and a nose for the ball all
night. She did a nice job on the boards and displayed great shooting touch.
Shannon O’Connor,
Wrentham: This forward was more than willing to do the dirty work all
night. This coachable stud from Wrentham had great takes to the basket, could
handle the ball and set up her teammates.
Other notables:
Chelsea Gibbons, Foxboro; Alicia Hottleman, Mansfield; Jayne Howe, Pembroke;
Madyson Bendanillo, Mansfield; Kara Milliken, Milton.
7th Grade:
Olivia Forbes, North
Attleboro: This Baby Badger guard does all the intangibles well such as
talking defensively, setting proper screens and boxing out. She played solid
point guard during the 5-on-5 setting up her teammates.
Emily Nelson, North
Attleboro: Like Forbes, Nelson understands the game and did a nice job
setting up her teammates in the 5-on-5 portion of the showcase. Capable of
scoring, Nelson picked her spots to attack the rack.
Olivia Martin,
Hanson: When Martin was around the ball, good things happened. She has a
knack for scoring, and created her own opportunities through outworking
defenders.
Bella Hamden,
Westwood: This forward from Westwood established her back to the basket
game (which seems to be a lost art) early during drills. During game play she
unveiled her face up game, which was equally effective.
Livi Correia, North
Attleboro: She entered the showcase with a big reputation as one of the best (if not THE best) 7th graders in the state, and she exceeded expectations. I
had a handful of coaches seek me out to tell me that I need to see #8. She
displayed all the tools to score, but she was most effective setting up her
teammates, delivering a lot of her assists from the backcourt thanks to her
unrivaled court vision. Correia was the most fun player to watch on the night.
Sadie Hunt, Sandwich:
This physically imposing forward from Cape Cod asserted herself on the glass on
both ends. She should be absolutely dominant in South Shore League action for
Sandwich.
Megan Marcel,
Plymouth: Marcel was one of the best offensive players at the showcase as
she displayed her sweet shooting touch all night. She is sneaky athletic and
she punished defenders all night with her various ways of scoring.
Megan O’Connell,
Franklin: This post player from Franklin played with an edge and attitude
while bullying the opposition in the post. She is the type of player that you
would love to have on your team, but hate going up against.
Allison Giambanco,
Norwood: Stronger than she appears, this Mustang guard ran the floor
extremely well and was rewarded many times by Correia. Capable of creating her
own shot, Giambanco displayed the ability to get to the rack and knock down the
deep ball.
Brittany Gacicia,
Hanson: This guard from Hanson was one of the most fundamentally sound
players I saw at the Proving Grounds. She was deceptively explosive and had no
problem getting into the lane at will. This very smooth guard will terrorize
the South Shore League.
Samantha Sousa,
Franklin: This forward from Franklin is extremely fundamentally sound. She
did nothing flashy, but was just extremely efficient during all portions of the
showcase.
Other notables:
Emma Marturo, Norwood; Jillian Margetta, North Attleboro; Tara O’Brien,
Norwood; Vienna Monestime, Framingham; Katie Ellsworth, Framingham; Rebecca
Hottleman, Mansfield.
6th Grade
Corinne French,
Norfolk: Only one sixth grader stepped up to play in the showcase, but wow,
she was impressive. This guard played beyond her age as she displayed great
court awareness and play making ability. If it didn’t say 6th grader
on my program, I would have thought she was an 8th grader – and a
good one.
