AR BANSHEES 17U VS OK SWARM 17U Takeaways: Best Performance

Prep Girls Hoops OK spent some time in Tulsa, Oklahoma at events for high school girl’s basketball. Two major events for all levels of college ball except for the division one, Border War and Hoop It Up showcase events. There were many match ups from teams with girls out of Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Tulsa, and Muskogee against talent from bordering states such as Arkansas, Missouri and Texas! A slew of girls playing in one weekend, unfortunately all players are not able to be seen, I spent majority of my time at the new Titan Sports and Performance Center located in Tulsa at Hoop It Up Showcase hosted by OK Round Ball and Oklahoma PWP. Many exciting games for girl’s basketball in Oklahoma, the most notable was a featured game between the Arkansas Banshees 17U UAA versus the Oklahoma Swarm BlueStar 17U. Both teams include some top players in Oklahoma from all around the state, with familiar faces from some of your most competitive girls high school programs in Oklahoma. There were some takeaways from the game and performances from some players out of Oklahoma, top performers from each team in the game, Taylen Collins and Emerie Vanoss. &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt"><strong>#14<span style="text-decoration: underline"> Taylen Collins</span>, Junior, 6’1, Forward, Muldrow HS, AR Banshees 17U UAA</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_39146" align="alignright" width="150"] Photo Courtesy from The Oklahoman[/caption] <span style="font-size: 12pt">My third time watch Taylen Collins, I notice something different about her game each time I watch her play. Executing many difficult moves against her defender from outside mid post, it’s nice to see that level added to her threat from the high post. Explosive to grab the rebound and push the ball in transition in full court. She also used her quick feet to stay in front of smaller offensive players and physical enough to defend inside players. She finished some contested shots and guards layups off of moves from creating her own shot.I really enjoy seeing her energy through how powerful and in control her movements are with the ball, in the air and on defense. </span> &nbsp; &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt"><strong>#55 <u>Emerie Ellis, </u>Sophomore, 6’2, Forward/Center, Vanoss HS, OK Swarm BlueStar 17U</strong></span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">Also witnessed Emerie multiple times, she is consistent with how she plays. In this game, her performance on many levels peaked. Inside game, Ellis seals well in the low post to get the ball for post moves that sometimes led to countermoves with good finishes. On the perimeter, the 6'2 Sophomore drove from top of the key for a lay up, making outside shots from the 3 point and short corner jumper as well as pushing the ball in transition. She also has the ability to guard inside players, block shots and rebounds really well from the block out most of the time. Due to her youth, she has a time to build guard skills and become inside and an outside perimeter player.</span>