NE Jamfest: The Great Crusade Part 1

I watched the New England Crusaders Bluestar 17u and Crusader Boston Metro teams at the New England Jamfest and admired their competitiveness, toughness, and togetherness. They are a cohesive unit whose unselfishness on offense and aggression on defense don’t go unnoticed. Many players from both teams stood out.   [player_tooltip player_id="270726" first="Ava" last="Orlando"]| 5’4’’|PG|’25 [caption id="attachment_428067" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/67FB89AD-541A-46B9-BF60-9E9696F47233-crop-1365x897-1652280347.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-428067" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/67FB89AD-541A-46B9-BF60-9E9696F47233-crop-1365x897-1652280347-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: JT Shotz[/caption] I haven’t seen Orlando play since the MIAA playoffs in February, and I was floored by how much she’s developed since. After the winter season, I regarded Orlando as a top 5 point guard in a loaded ’25 class, and after last weekend, she is looking top 3 and trending up. She looks quicker with the ball, is getting to her spots at will, and Orlando’s shot-creating and making ability is elite. I couldn’t fathom how Orlando was getting her shot off with the defense draped all over her, but she found a way and executed consistently. Orlando also got her teammates involved in the offense and set the table nicely, giving them open looks at the basket.   [player_tooltip player_id="361079" first="Lana" last="McCarthy"]| 6’3’’|PF| ’24 Speaking of players who have developed a ton since the winter, McCarthy looked like the best big in New England at Jamfest. She was unstoppable in the post, and on a Crusaders team that can put 4 scoring threats on the floor with McCarthy at any time, the defense can’t double team her as much. One-on-one, McCarthy could not be stopped and got whatever she wanted down low. She battled on the boards, dove on the floor for loose balls, and set the tone defensively by completely shutting down the paint. I haven’t seen any ’24 big put together a stretch of games on offense and defense this spring like McCarthy did over the weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id="342247" first="Tegan" last="Young"]|6’1’’| SF|’23 I am used to seeing Young fill up the scoring column with explosive 20+ point performances, but she didn’t have to score a lot last weekend to be a major piece to the Crusaders’ success. I’ve always felt that the best players are the ones who can be a high impact player even when you take away their strength. The way the Crusaders play, Young does not have to score as much, but instead she outworks her opponent, defends at a high level, rebounds, and makes smart decisions when drawing the defense on her penetration.   [player_tooltip player_id="393162" first="Emma" last="Tenters"]| 5’11’’|SF/PF|’23 When Tenters came into the game, she brought the same toughness and defensive intensity as the starters. She sees the floor well, especially in the high post. Tenters is a high IQ passer who knows where her teammates will be and makes strong passes that set them up for open jump shots. She also gave max effort defending the post and made the opposition uncomfortable when they received the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id="184016" first="Amelia" last="Hanscom"]|5’11’’| SG/SF|’23 Hanscom is one of the toughest and most coachable players I have seen. She will do whatever it takes to help the team win. I saw Hanscom being used as a do-it-all guard during the winter, but she was doing all the dirty work down low over the weekend, and I loved it. Her rebounding, physicality, post defense, and offensive IQ stood out to me. Hanscom outworked every forward she defended in the post and fought hard not to give up position on the block. The second and third chances she secured led to a couple of and-ones, she was unselfish and moved the ball well in the halfcourt. I like what Hanscom brings to the table, and she is a vital piece to a winning team.   [player_tooltip player_id="184031" first="Mia" last="Molinari"]|5’9’’|PF|’23 [caption id="attachment_428063" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/2CACCD05-1FF8-492E-B2B8-B7CE09AAB3A5-scaled-crop-1692x1111-1652280234.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-428063" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/2CACCD05-1FF8-492E-B2B8-B7CE09AAB3A5-scaled-crop-1692x1111-1652280234-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: JT Shotz[/caption] Molinari is another gritty and physical player who makes her impact on the glass by doing the little things. She boxes out after every shot attempt and has an aggressive nose for the ball when it comes off the rim. She also set hard screens that helped open up her teammates. Molinari makes up for the lack of height at the forward position by doing the dirty work and giving max effort each possession.   [player_tooltip player_id="184028" first="Katie" last="Regan"]| 5’10’’| PF| ’23 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-428061" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/6213DA48-FD12-4C0C-952A-B55CD76A46E4-scaled-crop-1660x1090-1652280185-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> I liked how strong Regan was with her back to the basket. She showed a few solid post moves and finished through contact. When Regan catches the ball, she gets hacked a lot but fights through it, absorbs contact, and continues to put points on the board. Regan is another Crusader who will outwork her opponent and play harder than everyone else, resulting in her being a force on the inside.