Top Girls Players in New England CompeteThis past Sunday it was the kickoff of the 2010 girls AAU season, with all of the top teams competing in the Crusader Jamboree. There were freshmen, sophomores and juniors in action, and participating programs included the Mass Rivals, New England Crusaders, Rhode Island Breakers, Connecticut Blazers, Lady Bombers and Lone Wolf.
There were talented players from prep schools as well as high schools, and all 6 states in New England. This site of course focuses on Mass. and NH, and high school players. Below are the day's standout performers from those categories:
Massachusetts
Natalie Gomez, Andover (2011) - The 5'7" Gomez showed that she is a Division I caliber basketball player. She has a college ready game at the point guard position. Gomez is extremely quick, and handled the ball better than anyone else in the gym on Sunday. She can dribble, shoot, run, pass and defend as well or better than anyone we saw on this day.
Lizzy Ball, Manchester Essex (2011) - Very tough player who never stops battling. They weren't even keeping score at these games, but she was still diving on the floor for loose balls which was nice to see. The 5'8" guard showed the skills to play the 1 or the 2. She has a knack for scoring the basketball but can also create for teammates.
Nicole Beresford, Marshfield (2011) - Beresford was playing on the same team as Gomez, so it would have been easy for her to get overshadowed. But the 5'11" junior forward still made plenty of plays out there to get noticed. Beresford has a strong body, good quickness and showed that she can play inside or outside, as well as a solid mid-range game.
Maggie Brown, Wilmington (2012) - Most of the standout players at this event were juniors, but Brown was possibly the best sophomore in the gym. Nobody has more toughness down low than Brown, and she is an timidating force for any opposing forward or center.
Brooke Stewart, Masconomet (2012) - Stewart is a prototypical wing player. She has the size, solid frame and skill set to play the two-guard position at the next level. That's saying a lot considering she is also just a sophomore. The 5'10" Stewart can score by shooting it from the outside or off the dribble and is also a solid defender.
Melissa Miller, Central Catholic (2011) - The 6'0" forward Miller showed a versatile game, with the ability to play in the low post as well as stepping outside and show off her mid-range game. Miller is a very smart player and a strong defender as well.
Kellie McDonald, Danvers (2011) - McDonald was one of the better Rivals players on the day, no question. The 6'0" forward made plays all afternoon, both inside and outside. She showed range out to 18 feet from the basket shooting the ball, as well as the ability to put the ball on the floor and finish. McDonald also defended 3 different positions on the court as well.
Gabie Polce, Central Catholic (2011) - Polce was a very steady player out there, playing mistake free basketball and scoring both on the break and from the outisde. The 5'9" wing player has a solid handle as well as a good mid-range game.
New Hampshire
Melissa Frase, Kennett (2011) - Frase was one of the 3 or 4 players who impressed the most on the day. There is nothing flashy about her game, and she's isn't the biggest, fastest or most athletic player out there. But this girl can flat out play the game of basketball. She can handle the ball, shoot it, pass it and is excellent in the open court. The 5'8" Frase plays the game at a fast pace, and has incredible court awareness.
Caitlin Ackerman, Nashua South (2011) - Ackerman played very well on the day, as the 6'0" forward operated effectively in the high post against the zone. She showed good footwork, as she turned and faced up to the basket and then either hit the 15 foot jump shot, drove the lane or hit the open teammate. Ackerman showed good quickness, a strong frame and the versatility to play inside or out.
Allie Wagner, Kennett (2011) - Wagner gets to play on the Crusaders with her high school teammate Frase, and you can tell that they have been playing together for awhile. Wagner was one of the top shooters in the gym, and had the quickness to really move up and down the court as fast as anyone. The 5'7" guard showed the ability to not only score but set up for teammtes as well.
Danielle Walczak, Oyster River (2011) - Walczak combined with Brown to form an unbeatable 1-2 punch in the paint for the 17U Crusaders Blue team. The 6'1" Walczak showed good footwork, and the ability to get good position on the low block. She also saw the floor well, and was able to hit the open player when the double team came.
Savannah Butterfield, Londonderry (2011) - Butterfield is tough as nails, and showed a well rounded game for the Rivals team. She's 5'10" and can play guard or forward effectively. Butterfield has good athleticism and a solid mid-range jump shot.
Alex Cohen, Bishop Guertin (2012) - Cohen was one of the better defenders on the Rivals team, and also hit a number of jump shots in the 15-20 foot range.
