Hoop Mountain Wings/Bigs: Hidden Jules

Below are some of the standout wings and bigs from the Hoop Mountain Spring Showcase.   [player_tooltip player_id="331414" first="Isabella" last="Romero"]| Lawrence Academy| 5’10’’| PF| ’24 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-405322" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/047876DF-1067-49CB-A16D-20AB69E443C0-crop-1259x827-1648430868-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> I liked the way Romero operated in the high post area, and her face-up game has improved since the last time I watched her play. She took her defender off the dribble confidently on multiple occasions and finished strong around the rim. Romero also has excellent hands and made some tough catches in traffic when rolling to the basket.   [player_tooltip player_id="326762" first="Margaret" last="Montplaisir"] | Portsmouth| 5’10’’| SG/SF| ’24 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-405319" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/E1CA9D93-BE99-4650-86B0-144F5B6FA6E2-crop-401x264-1648430800-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> I have always been impressed with Monplaisir’s shooting, especially off the dribble. She hit a few tough contested shots from the outside and has a quick trigger release that is difficult to bother. Montplaisir’s size and shooting combination give her an advantage on the wing, but she is also a crafty ball-handler who can put the ball on the deck and make plays.   [player_tooltip player_id="405316" first="Julia" last="Blum"] | Middlesex| 5’8’’| SG/SF| ’25 [caption id="attachment_405317" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/6B295626-F8E4-4200-88BE-EABCC090EDA1-crop-401x264-1648430630.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-405317" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/6B295626-F8E4-4200-88BE-EABCC090EDA1-crop-401x264-1648430630-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Meredith Ryan[/caption] Blum plays a lot older than listed. Her confidence in handling the basketball was impressive, and she pushed the ball up the court with good pace. Blum has good size, speed, and strength to push by defenders in transition and finish strong at the basket. I liked Blum’s upside, and she is a prospect to keep your eyes on this spring.   [player_tooltip player_id="297259" first="Alli" last="Jones"]| Wellesley| 6’0’’| SF/PF| ’23 [caption id="attachment_405314" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/E28A11B2-4A10-4E1E-8120-8DC3014EF20B-scaled-crop-1709x1123-1648430473.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-405314" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/E28A11B2-4A10-4E1E-8120-8DC3014EF20B-scaled-crop-1709x1123-1648430473-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Meredith Ryan[/caption] Jones turned many heads with her versatile inside/out skill set. She looked unstoppable when ripping baseline and going to the basket. She has the size and quickness to win many one-on-one matchups in the high and low post. Also, Jones is a lethal mid-range shooter who can step out and bury threes if the defense sags off her.   [player_tooltip player_id="328520" first="Hanorah" last="Murphy"]| Auburn| 6’0’’| SG/SF|’23 [caption id="attachment_405310" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/2370C9AB-49E4-46F4-B3F9-63EFEADDE8E4-crop-1537x1010-1648430403.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-405310" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/2370C9AB-49E4-46F4-B3F9-63EFEADDE8E4-crop-1537x1010-1648430403-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: JT Shotz[/caption] Murphy’s offensive game is so polished and smooth for her size that it immediately grabs your attention. She is a great ball-handler in transition and can weave in and out of defenders like a small guard. Murphy’s skill set is perimeter-oriented, but her size and rebounding prowess allow her to play the 4. Murphy also can pull up and shoot the ball from anywhere on the court.   [player_tooltip player_id="405218" first="Khaya" last="Skene"]| Ethel Walker| 5’10’’| SF| ’23 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-405306" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/3DD02030-F823-4995-9F4F-6FB9D216D722-crop-1537x1010-1648430329-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Skene gets up and down the floor well and catches the ball aggressively, ready to make a move. She has good size and upper body strength to power up and muscle through contact. Skene is also a good shooter from mid-long range.   [player_tooltip player_id="392937" first="Martina" last="Pike"]| New Hampton| 5’9’’| PF| ’24 [caption id="attachment_405303" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/B1B0364D-576E-42DA-8D47-F0178803573B-crop-1293x849-1648430203.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-405303" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/B1B0364D-576E-42DA-8D47-F0178803573B-crop-1293x849-1648430203-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: JT Shotz[/caption] I liked Pike for various reasons. The first being she was one of the handful of prospects at the event who consistently talked on defense. She clearly communicated where she was on help-side defense and called out screens. She kept the ball high on rebounds and was physical down low. Pike also showed a consistent mid-range stroke throughout the day.   [player_tooltip player_id="287177" first="Ella" last="Andrews"] | Bishop Fenwick| 5’11’’| PF| ’24 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-405296" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/566C19EB-22CE-481F-A305-2E1E1D3F3487-crop-1537x1010-1648429976-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Andrews’ size, strength, and versatility as a combo forward make her an absolute force on the court. She is so tough around the basket and isn’t afraid to get physical with anyone. I like the way she runs the floor and has the skill set of an ideal stretch 4. Andrews rim runs hard and can get ahead of the defense and be a scoring threat, or she can trail and bury transition threes.   [player_tooltip player_id="390546" first="Morgan" last="Schultz"] | Lawrence Academy| 5’11’’| SF| ’23 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-405294" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/D416E578-EEB5-4240-9120-A5B294690D1A-scaled-crop-1527x1003-1648429865-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Shultz is very stealthy when attacking from the wing. She is a crafty ball-handler who makes 1-2 moves before accelerating past the defense. Shultz is a good scorer at all three levels and showed a consistent long-range stroke. Her shooting touch is soft, and Shultz is a strong finisher.   Alexandra Loucopoulos| Holmdel | 5’9’’| SG| ’23 [caption id="attachment_405292" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/67D729FE-ED27-4A76-B020-8628B824027B-crop-480x316-1648429751.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-405292" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/67D729FE-ED27-4A76-B020-8628B824027B-crop-480x316-1648429751-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Meredith Ryan[/caption] The Hoop Mountain Spring Showcase was my first time watching Loucopoulos play, and her athleticism stood out to me mainly on defense. She covers a lot of ground and forces turnovers with her quick hands. Loucopoulos’ three-point range and accuracy are ridiculous. She can pull from anywhere behind the three-point line and nail it.   [player_tooltip player_id="405324" first="Natalie" last="Lucas"]| Daniel Hand High| 5’11’’| SG/SF| ’23 Lucas defended at a high level and used her length and size to disrupt passes and protect the rim. She has the athleticism to defend multiple positions and can step outside and knock down threes. Lucas’ versatility and skill set mesh well with various playstyles.   [player_tooltip player_id="328966" first="Sophie" last="Hilbrunner"]| Waltham| 5’10| PF| ’23 Hillbrunners has a good feel for the game and moves well without the ball. She works hard to get open and seals defenders well in the low and high post. What impresses me most about Hillbrunner is that she is constantly moving and is never stagnant in the halfcourt. She spaces the floor well, and her mid-range is solid. Hillbrunner also threw some nice outlet passes that sparked transition opportunities for her team.   [player_tooltip player_id="328967" first="Kathleen" last="Smith"] | Central Catholic| 6’3’’| PF| ’23 Smith was one of the better rim protectors from the showcase. Her long wingspan and 6’3’’ frame forced a lot of rushed and out of control shots. Offensively I like that Smith took what the defense gave her. She has a nice short-mid range stroke and is a reliable finisher around the rim.