Program Notes: Tree of Hope (Nike EYBL)

The NCAA Certified, End of the Trail (EOT) West Coast Spring Showcase tournament being hosted by EOT and Elite is Earned will be held this weekend at Auburn area high schools.  Many top-level AAU teams will be showcased at the event such as Cal Stars, NW Stars, Idaho Hoop Dreams and Tree of Hope- Nike EYBL. This week we stopped by the Tree of Hope- Nike EYBL practice to gain some insight on the rising stars of the program and players that should get some notable attention this weekend. TOH- Nike EYBL (15U) is loaded with high-level, extremely skilled players that played big rolls on their high school teams this last season or will do so this year. Jazmyn “Jazzy” Stone (#44 Guard) Annie Wright High School (2022) 5’6” Jazzy has exceptional vision of the court that she pairs with mature ball handling skills that allows her to easily orchestrate the offense and single handedly control the pace of the game.  She has the presence of mind to wait for players to get in their proper positions before initiating the offense but can also take off in transition and score at will.   She had a great tournament at the Boo Williams Invite in Virginia, where she averaged 12.5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Lauren Glazier (#21 Wing/Forward) - Mt. Si High School (2022) 6’3” Lauren is another rising star to watch on the 15U EYBL team. She stands at a lengthy 6’3” and her versatility and dominance require respect. She can effortlessly snag rebounds and push the ball in the open court, while also showing a evolving ability to post up or drag her defender to the wing and shoot lights out behind the 3-point line in the halfcourt. Her ability to handle the ball is also something that you don’t see often with a player of her size. Navaeh Talbert (#12 Guard) ASA Middle School- 5’5” Naveah is only an 8^th grader, but is already known as being one of the best shooters and creators on the team.  At the Boo Williams Invite, she averaged 13 points with a high of 21 against the Carolina Flames.   Tree of Hope- Nike 16U (Class of 2021) is also loaded with talent. Charlee Arthur (#35 Guard/Wing) Newport High School (5’10”)     Named to the Kingo 4A 2^nd Team All-League her sophomore year, Charlee is a lock down shooter, intense defender and one of the hardest working players on the court.   If you give Charlee any sort of space, she is either going to pop a 3 or take her defender off the dribble and draw the foul.  Charlee also prides herself on being a lock down defender and often takes the assignment of matching up with the other teams’ best player.  She is a natural leader with high IQ which makes her a genuine extension of the coach on the court.     Molly Moffitt (#42 Forward/Post) Seattle Prep High School (6’) Molly is an athletic forward/post that can run the floor like a guard.  She is versatile in that she can see the floor and zip a pass down court or she can play with her back to the basket and battle down low. She also has a quick first step that allows her to successfully drive off the high post. She is a player that exudes confidence and plays with high intensity and doesn’t need outside motivation to play hard—she just does!   The 17U-EYBL has a roster full of stars and can pack a gym of fans and college scouts. Some of the players don’t even need introductions, such as Hailey Van Lith (Cashmere, MVP CTL 1A), Delayah Daniels (Garfield, Metro MVP), Meghan Fiso (Garfield, 1^st Team Metro, Michigan) and Jordyn Jenkins (Kentridge-MVP NPSL). Some other notable players that should be on the radar this summer include: Elli Boni (#5 Guard) University High School (5’10”) Boni was named first team all-league in the Greater Spokane 4A/3A league.  She is a is quick guard that shoots the ball with range, relentlessly pursues every rebound and dives on lose balls.  She also has great footwork and can read counters to the defense. Sela Heide (#9 Post) Mt. Si High School (6’8”)   Named second team all KingCo 4A, Sela has spent countless hours in the gym working on her footwork, dribbling and shooting skills. She is starting to appreciate that her size is her strength and that she can use it to leverage against her opponent. Not only is she a nightmare defender in the paint, she is also a skilled rebounder and passer, especially on long outlets. Her dedication to time spent in the gym outside of practice is reflecting in her game. Aaliya Alexander (#6 Guard) Beamer High School (5’8”) She was named MVP and All Defensive player in the NPSL 4A this year, and for good reason.  She is a defensive leader on the court through her intensity and smarts, and can consistently be heard communicating with her teammates.  She rotates quickly on D and also has an innate ability that when a shot goes up, she gets her player boxed out early.