Nickerson Standouts Part I: The Baker’s Dozen

This past weekend at the Nickerson Classic was one of the most competitive events I have attended all year. The level of talent and coaching in one gym was absurd. It was a great basketball product all three days, and more than a handful of prospects shined. Below are some of those athletes.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-367355" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/355718B9-0DE7-48CB-A570-8B7C6FD178AD-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1640125175-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="263910" first="Carys" last="Baker"] - Loomis Chaffee - 6’1’’ - SG - ’23 Baker was one of the best players of the weekend and drew two tough matchups between Brooks and Nobles. Both games were winnable games for Loomis Chaffee because Baker was incredible offensively. Her 30 point outburst vs. Brooks helped her team come back from 20+, and she had the ball in her hand to win the game but fell short. Against Nobles, she came out scorching hot with 13 points in the 1st quarter and finished with 22 points for the game. Baker and her smooth lefty jumper hit 5 threes in both games combined and seemed to get to the line more than anyone I watched over the weekend. There are not many prospects more dangerous and versatile than Baker when it comes to scoring.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-367356" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/IMG_0061-scaled-crop-1660x1090-1640125325-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="298028" first="Brynn" last="Bryant"] - Dexter Southfield - 5’5’’ - PG - ’25 For a large portion of Dexter Southfield’s game vs. Northfield Mount Hermon, the 5’5’’ freshman was the best player on the court. Bryant was the only noticeable perimeter player who could constantly get into the teeth of the defense and make a play in the 1st half. Bryant’s drives were under control, forced the defense to make decisions, and connected on a 3. Bryant’s impact went beyond the offensive side of the ball. She was a pest on defense, and her hustle and energy gave Dexter Southfield a spark.   [player_tooltip player_id="266789" first="Aislinn" last="Gibson"] - Tilton - 6’2’’ - SF/PF - ’23 Gibson is a nightmare to matchup against because of her athleticism and 6’2’’ frame. Against Hoosac, she was a force, finishing with 18 points and lived at the free-throw line. Gibson is too quick and skilled for bigs to defend her, and if a guard is on her, she can shoot over them and get them into foul trouble. Gibson’s versatility and skillset complement the rest of the Tilton roster well, and you should expect to see more similar impactful performances this winter from her.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-367363" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/06/26742320_Unknown-crop-1335x877-1640125457-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="266717" first="Cadence" last="Johnson"] - St. Andrews - 6’0’’ - SF - ’23 Johnson stood out in the St. Andrews matchup vs. Brooks, not because of her team-leading 13 points, but due to her energy, competitiveness, and leadership. What I like about St. Andrews is that they always play hard no matter the game situation, and Johnson is the catalyst. She sets the tone with her toughness, by going 100% every possession and being the loudest player on the court or the bench.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-367370" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/EDBA879C-7F48-4D32-BB7C-ED2ED5EA3745-crop-1495x982-1640125595-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="287236" first="Clarice" last="Borges"] - Dexter Southfield - 6’0’’ - CG - ’24 Borges vs. Northfield Mount Hermon had a sneaky big performance, especially in the 2nd half. In the third quarter, she became more aggressive, and Dexter Southfield began to get into a groove and pull away from NMH. Borges hit two momentum-changing threes and facilitated well down the stretch. When Borges takes command of the game and puts her fingerprints on it, it elevates the team’s offensive efficiency.   [player_tooltip player_id="299249" first="Jessica" last="Roy"] - Loomis Chaffee - 5’5’’ - PG - ’24 Roy was one of the best snipers from the weekend that I saw. In the first game against Brooks, she was quiet but followed up with a loud 12 points vs. Nobles the next day. She was unconscious from behind the arc with 4 three-point makes, and she showed the utmost confidence after each flick of the wrist. Roy is small in stature but can still find a way to get her shot off clean when highly contested, thanks to her quick release and shooting mechanics.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-367491" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/59694657-2205-4250-96E9-9CE3B8E20E37-scaled-crop-1660x1090-1640131311-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="361621" first="Lola" last="Lesmond"] - Worcester Academy - 6’1’’ - SG - ’22 Lesmond had a good shooting day vs. Brooks on Sunday afternoon. She was the only player on Worcester Academy to find her rhythm, and Lesmond was hard to defend due to her length and lethal shooting. She hit 4 three-pointers, and they were not easy looks. All season long, Lesmond has done a good job spreading the floor for her team and her performance Sunday was just another day in the office.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-367496" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/04D67C89-FE61-496D-8705-D941157D353A-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1640131685-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="302393" first="Samaya" last="Lovett"] - Brooks - 5’6’’ - PG - ’25 In a tight game against Loomis Chaffee that came down to the last possession, Brooks needed a huge contribution from the bench, and Lovett provided that. Her rebounding and help defense were crucial, and Lovett showed how high her defensive IQ was. Her focus and attention to detail were vital. For a freshman to be trusted in those situations and deliver was highly impressive.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-367494" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/EF318D1E-3FC3-42FF-823B-24FB36EC17E7-crop-1537x1010-1640131558-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="347922" first="Sanaa" last="Slayman"] - Milton Academy - 5’8’’ - PF - ’24 Slayman’s perimeter shooting was on point at the Nickerson Classic. She hit 2 threes on Friday afternoon, and the next day, she had 15 points, including 4 three-pointers. Slayman is developing into a solid stretch 4 for Milton Academy and shows the toughness when defending and rebounding against taller players.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-367492" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/1WtcLbOGRLaKAAbsnZKGlA-scaled-crop-1245x818-1640131453-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="269970" first="Veronica" last="Dawson"] - St. Andrews - 6’0’’ - PF - ’24 Dawson kicked off the Nickerson Classic with a monster game vs. Milton Academy. She finished with 13 points and proved that her strength underneath the basket was too much for the Milton Academy forwards to handle. Dawson finished through contact, was strong with the ball on the block, and stretched the floor with her mid-range shot. Physically, Dawson looks bigger and stronger than before, which will benefit her as St. Andrews continues to compete with the NEPSAC iron.