April Madness: AAU/Club Spring Preview (Part 3)

<p style="text-align: center"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="color: #000080;font-size: 14pt;text-decoration: underline"><strong>April Madness: AAU/Club Spring Preview (Part 3)</strong></span></span></p> &nbsp; This is the busy time of year as the high school season has ended, the seniors look to their futures and the new crop gets ready to earn scholarship offers in the spring evaluation. The DMV has a long history of putting together high level teams with extraordinary talent, this season won’t be any different but, will add a twist with several new programs forming and looking to make an impact in the recruiting scene. Nike, adidas have been around for a while with their EYBL and Gauntlet/Rise circuits and Under Armor has recently made a huge investment to be a major player on the girls side of basketball with UA Rise. There are also some really good programs that aren’t under a shoe company umbrella that should be watched closely. Prep Girls Hoops has dug in and will preview teams and players to keep an eye on heading into the spring evaluation period. &nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Elevate Elite 17U Adidas Platinum</strong></span></span> Elevate Elite has multiple teams and are playing under the Adidas brand this year.  Combined with NoVa94Feet the Virginia based program has players from multiple states.  Coach Bruno Corras has been busy putting together a very competitive schedule that goes into August with team camps. &nbsp; <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></span> 2020 Anna LeMaster 2020 Aurea Gingras 2020 Janae Dublin &nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>April Tournament Schedule</strong></span></span> 5-7 WPA Bruins Spring Tip-Off Classic - Pittsburg, PA 13-14 - Elevate Your Game - Fairfax, VA 26-28* - Adidas Spring Gauntlet - Dallas, TX &nbsp; <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Team Loaded 17u Gauntlet Platinum</strong></span> Team Loaded is making a push for the "top dog" program in the DMV.  Seven of the ten players have won state championships on their high school teams and the other three are very close to joining them.  Team Loaded will be competing on the Adidas Gauntlet circuit again this season.  Coach Cortez Quarles feels good about this group that he has groomed with the program, "we have paid our dues and now it's our time to be in the spotlight". &nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong><span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline">Players to Watch</span></strong></span> 2020 - Aaliyah Pitts - 6'0 2020 - Ajia James - 6'1 2020 - Cameron Downs 2021 - Adaija Bender - 6'3 &nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong><span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline">April Tournament Schedule</span></strong></span> 5-7 WPA Bruins Spring Tip-Off Classic - Pittsburg, PA 13-14 - Elevate Your Game - Fairfax, VA 26-28* - Adidas Spring Gauntlet - Dallas, TX &nbsp; &nbsp; <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Maryland Belles 2023</strong></span> The Maryland Belles have the youngest team in the preview but their talent is well beyond there years.  Head coach Talen Watson considered one of the nations top point guards in the 2010 class, this group of players have grown together since the 4th and 5th grades.  They will play under the Blue Star brand which is an affiliate of Nike and several players have already as middle schoolers caught the eye of college coaches.  Coach Watson "I want to challenge this team individually and as a whole to step outside their comfort zone to reach their highest potential".  The Maryland Belles 2023 is more than a team it is a "family". &nbsp; <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></span> Kendall  "KD" Dudley Jadyn Donovan Anaiah Jenkins Ande'a "Shaq" Cherisier Makaela "Mak" Quimby Kamari Sims &nbsp; <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>April Tournament Schedule</strong></span> USJN East Coast-Manalapan - New Jersey 26-28 Boo Williams Nike Invitational - Hampton, VA &nbsp; <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Cap City Ballerz 16/17u</strong></span> Star Willis's Cap City Ballerz has had a long history of producing high level talent in Virginia.  The program is well respected and most of the top players that come out of the state have some connection with Star or the Cap City Ballerz directly or indirectly.  Coach Willis "We have a great group of kids on our 16/17u team and our 2022 and 2023 team is pretty talented as well with some already having division one offers." &nbsp; <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></span> 2021 Sherise Pittman 2021 Tatiyanna Creecy 2021 Ameerah Traynham 2022 Logan Nuckols 2022 Shavondra Bassett 2022 Jessica Osuanah 2023 Kyah Smith 2023 Sydney Turner 2023 Ella Weaver 2023 Cyriah Griffin &nbsp; <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>April Tournament Schedule</strong></span> 13-14 - Elevate Your Game - Fairfax, VA 24-26 * - Deep South Classic - Raleigh, NC &nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Cross-Over Hoops Premier</strong></span></span> Cross-Over Hoops will be "closing shop" after this season.  They have been a mainstay for a while in the Richmond area producing multiple division one players.  Coach Torrence Archie "We have a solid really strong team and college coaches will be please with our team this season" &nbsp; <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></span> 2020 Kiara Winston 2021 Jordan Hodges 2021 Lauren McCall 2020 Abigail Freeman 2020 Jordan Carpenter 2021 Aiyana Ellis 2021 Shawnise Campbell 2021 Alexis Warren &nbsp; <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>April Tournament Schedule</strong></span> 24-26 * - Deep South Classic - Raleigh, NC