Inaugural NEO National Showcase – Top 2023

NORTHEAST Ohio Youth Elite hosted its first girls national showcase featuring some of the best players in the country. Sonny Johnson executed his vision of a national girls camp! Over 300 girls from across the country including California, Texas, Florida, New York and beyond arrived at Garfield Heights High School. <span style="font-weight: 400;">2023 </span> <span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="157686" first="Mari" last="Bickley"] 5’10, Guard, Laurel High School -</strong>  Do not poke at her. Her killer crossover cannot be stopped, but this young lady has developed many areas of her game. Her basketball IQ was good and has gotten even better. Her ability to handle the basketball and be aggressive getting to the basket any way she pleases is great. Being long and moving her feet has been a big part of her game as she has been able to force turnovers and finish. Her skills have improved, and she understands the game of basketball and plays it the right way. Layups and floaters were easy for this young lady who proved to be tough to stop from getting in the lane. Her finishing ability is top-notch, and she has improved overall. A high-level player who does special thing’s with the basketball in her hand, and one you keep an eye on without the basketball. </span> <span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="157707" first="Sole" last="Williams"] 5’9, Guard, Princeton high school -</strong> Shift leader has earned her badge. [player_tooltip player_id="157707" first="Sole" last="Williams"], one of the best players in her class, had a great weekend. Her rhythm in dribbling and her ability to create opportunities for others was amazing. Her footwork and her ability to create space for her shot are next level. She makes it very difficult for defenders to stay in front. This young lady has a complete package to her game and makes the game look easy. This young lady uses no waste of a dribble or movement. Her ability to pass the basketball is great to see, and her energy flows out of her to those around her. </span> <span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="164654" first="Madison" last="Greene"] 5’6, PG, Pickerington central high school -</strong> Arguably, one of the best players in the 2023 class this young lady made a statement all weekend. Her ability on defense was strictly about business. She has improved so much in her ability to shoot the basketball in this past year. At this event, her go-to was showing off her ability to lock defenders down and shoot the basketball. Plays with great emotion and can really handle the basketball. Look forward to continuing to see her grow. </span> <span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="270501" first="Morgan" last="Blackford"] 5’7, SG, Solon high school -</strong> The definition of a leave it all on the court type of player. Defensively she does not stop. She lets her defense turn into offense. Good hands and good feet. She is the type of player that is high energy and when her opponent is getting tired she is gaining energy. Does a great job never giving up on plays, and all-around offensively she can shoot it and finish at the rim. Strong, and has a good basketball IQ knowing where to be and when to be there. </span> <span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="157687" first="Mahogany" last="Cottingham"] 5’8, CG, Trinity high school -</strong> Not many can say that they performed well against this young lady as she had a great defensive performance all weekend. It was not a secret that she was in a tight battle for the three-point championship as well after shooting the basketball from two levels very well and blowing by her defenders to finish at the basket. A player that will continue to develop. Developing her ability to play off the ball will take her game to another level as she can do so much on the court.  </span>