Troy Summer League Week 1- 5 take aways

June means high school basketball hits the Buckeye State hard, as we have moved into the month where summer leagues and team events take center stage. With AAU basketball on the back burner for the next month, high school teams can work on things to prepare for the start of the new season in November. I attended the Troy Summer League on Monday, one of a few trips I will make in June. Here are 5 takeaways I have from what I saw at Troy on Monday. <strong>Bombs Away- </strong>I was impressed with the perimeter game of Mechanicsburg, especially with the weekend the school just went through. It wasn't a bad weekend by any means, as their softball team played in the state championship game. But it was a hectic weekend where some of the basketball players were one day out from the state title game. They were an impressive group. Kasey Schipfer <strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(</span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">pictured above) </span></strong>is a senior shooting guard with good handles and looks to put together a great final season. She also can position herself to score around the rim. Grace Forrest is another one they will have to contend with. Both of those players can score from behind the arc. Christy Dodane should have another good squad this season. <strong>Experience will play a key- </strong>For Randy Duff, Chaminade Julienne will look to use a veteran lineup to battle for the GCL title. Seniors Eve Monaghan, Staci Greene, Jordyn Varise and Courtney Redd are a group who are experienced and ready to compete. Greene and Varise are the catalyst of the backcourt, both ran the show well at Troy and can score. Varise was very impressive and difficult to defend with her athleticism. This team showed glimpses of solid transition play and good defense. <strong>A new identity- </strong>Morgan Haney has graduated and Miami East will be creating a new identity without the steady and prolific scoring of Haney. This years group had some nice pieces to begin that process. Was impressed with the game of Camryn Miller, who can stroke it from anywhere beyond the three. But who else steps up to the challenge? There are some players who could capitalize on their chance to contribute including Rori and Paxton Hunley, Lauren Wright, Kyleigh Fetters and Megan McDowell to name a few. Only time will tell. <strong>Short handed but high in talent- </strong>another team who I thought put on a good showing was Franklin Monroe, playing without a lot of their firepower. Was very impressed with Belle Cable and her improvement in all aspects of the game. Could argue she played as well or better than anyone I saw on the day. Played with a lot of confidence, scored from the outside and used her small frame to score at the rim. The Jets didn't have their all-state wing Corina Conley who was out of town or their solid guard Aubrey Cable, recovering from injury. Will contend in the CCC. <strong>It's still only June- </strong>I get really excited to see the players back on the court with their high school teams, but I still have to remember... it's only June. A lot of the players made a lot of mistakes, a lot of good players.....but that is why these teams are playing in the summer leagues against solid competition. As they progress over the next four weeks, the key will be to just improve and build comraderie.