LBI Carolina Jamfest: Day 1 Performers

Mindy McCarthy May 17, 2021 @ 04:40 AM

LBI Carolina Jamfest was packed full of players from all across the southeast. Here are some of the standout performers I saw on day 1 of the event. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/Tanaesha-Ellison-scaled-crop-1921x1261-1621244293.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-285870 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/Tanaesha-Ellison-scaled-crop-1921x1261-1621244293-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="217553" first="Tanaesha" last="Ellison"] | Asheboro Lady Warriors | 2021 Some players try to do too many fancy things, but Ellison knows that driving the ball directly up the court to the basket is still effective. It’s as if she knows the defenders are waiting for some big move, so she pushes through as she makes her way up the court. Don’t worry, though, because she certainly has some tricks up her sleeve with the ball whether they are up and under or behind the back dribbles. She even hit a nice three point shot from the volleyball line right before the halftime buzzer. She hustles back on defense showing off her shot blocking ability. Anaya Harris | Carolina Dream | 2022 Harris has some great length on her, and she is an excellent ball handler knowing how to protect the possession as she is moving quickly up the court. She knows how to be patient when waiting to show off her shot as she creates separation from her opponents. She does a great job finding her open teammates while running in transition. Her three point shooting ability was certainly on display, too. She shows her IQ with patience as she drives to the basket letting her teammates develop the play. [player_tooltip player_id="285925" first="Faith" last="Isenhour"] | Athletes Lab | 2022<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/Faith-Isenhour-scaled-crop-1921x1261-1621244343.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-285872 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/Faith-Isenhour-scaled-crop-1921x1261-1621244343-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Isenhour seems to be in the right spot at the right time, but that certainly isn’t a coincidence as she seeks out the gaps on the floor. She can get lost underneath the basket, and she is always ready to shoot wherever she is. She handles the ball well moving it quickly up the court. She knows how to use her power dribbles to get into position and score, and she can certainly shoot right from an entry pass. Her quick closeout on opponents makes it very easy for her to block shots. Zahra Douglas | Lady Attack Elite 2023 Busby | 2023 Douglas (pictured above) knows how to grab a rebound and block shots. Her power moves make it difficult for her defenders to hold their ground when trying to guard her. She isn’t just an inside threat, though, as she can show off her jump shot from beyond the arc. She battles through contact to get her points by the basket. She doesn’t shy away from being a director on the floor for her team showing her teammates the best areas to move on the court. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/Blanca-Thomas-scaled-crop-1921x1261-1621244389.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-285874 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/Blanca-Thomas-scaled-crop-1921x1261-1621244389-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="253883" first="Blanca" last="Thomas"] | Lady Attack Elite 2024 National | 2024 Thomas is aggressive in the paint moving from block to block with her arms outstretched to grab a pass. Her stat line the first day was impressive, and it is something that we have come accustomed to seeing from her. She had 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks. She uses her length effectively to close out on opponents making it difficult for them to get anything accomplished near the paint. She knows how to use her body to seal off her opponents for an entry pass, and she is very effective at turning and scoring with ease.