Elite Girls Showcase: Stock Risers
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Below are a few of the talented prospects who raised their stock last weekend at the Elite Girls Showcase. Photo: RSF Media Gianna Nichols Gianna Nichols 5'7" | PG Worcester Academy | 2025 State New E – MA Huskies/Marianapolis…
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Continue ReadingBelow are a few of the talented prospects who raised their stock last weekend at the Elite Girls Showcase.
Gianna Nichols Gianna Nichols 5'7" | PG Worcester Academy | 2025 State New E – MA Huskies/Marianapolis – 5’6” – PG – ’25
Nichols put the exclamation point on what has been a terrific summer with her performance in the first game of the showcase. She had to go toe to toe with top 6 ’25 prospect Sydney Gerossie Sydney Gerossie 5'9" | PG Pinkerton Academy | 2025 State New E , and her effort on both sides of the ball was tremendous. Nichols was at a disadvantage size-wise but held her own and competed specifically on defense, where Nichols slid her feet well, keeping Gerossie in front of her. On offense, it was another day in the office for Nichols. She continues to impress me with her finishing ability through contact and efficient shooting from mid-long range. Nichols’ resume from the start of summer until now is decorated to the point where she is now in the discussion for the best point guard in the ’25 class.
Elyse Ngenda Elyse Ngenda 5'8" | CG New Hampton | 2026 State New E – NE Storm/Derryfield – 5’8” – SG – ’25
Mark my words, when the ’25 Rankings update drops next month, there will not be a more significant jump in rank than Ngenda’s. I saw only a little bit of Ngenda play during the spring, so I was unfamiliar with the totality of her game. I made sure to watch her as much as possible Saturday, and she is an absolute force on the court. Her aggressiveness on the glass alone is enough to make her one of the biggest stock risers from the weekend. She was the best rebounding wing from the day, and she did a good job using her strength and athleticism to get position and secure possessions for her team. Ngenda is a unique player because she can handle the ball and create on the perimeter but is also a terror around the basket and was killing down low like a big power forward.
Macy Swormstedt Macy Swormstedt 5'8" | CG Laconia | 2025 State New E – No Wasted Reps/Laconia – 5’8” – CG – ’25
Swormstedt had one of the most impressive defensive plays of the day in the form of a chase-down block on the break that sent the ball off the backboard. The athleticism and timing it takes to pull that play off are difficult enough, never mind being 5’8” doing so. Swormstedt can be a devastating defender due to her physical tools and can develop into a big-time two-way talent. She is a pass-first point guard, but when she asserts herself on offense and aggressively attacks the defense, it was “blow by central,” and Swormstedt got to the rack at will.
Ashlee Talbot Ashlee Talbot 5'6" | PG Dracut | 2023 State New E – Dracut – 5’6” – PG – ’23
Talbot, as usual, distributed the ball at a high level and did an excellent job controlling the game’s pace. What was different about Talbot’s game at the Elite Girls Showcase was her shot creation off the dribble. She was very aggressive hunting for her shot and connected on a couple of mid-range pull ups. Even if Talbot’s shot did not fall, I thought her shot selection was good, shooting motion was fluid, and she was under control. As Talbot continues to develop that part of her game, it will elevate her stock to another level because she is an excellent facilitator, and intangibles are off the charts.
Kelly Holmgren – Bria Holmes Elite/Greenwich Country Day – 5’10” – CG – ’23
Holmgren is a lethal sharpshooter with size and a quick release that made her a tough cover on Saturday. Holmgren never hesitates when catching the ball behind the three-point line, and if a defender gave her the slightest bit of daylight, the shot was going up. Another element to her sniping ability is that she is confident to fire from way beyond the arc. The only way the defense has a chance of slowing her down is to deny Holmgren the ball and refuse to help off her, or else a three is going up. She also is an unselfish player and moves the ball well on offense before repositioning herself on the outside to spot up.