St. Louis Gateway Challenge: Day 1 Standouts

We spent the day at St Charles West High taking in the action at the USJN Gateway Challenge. Here is look at some of the players who caught my eye during Saturday’s first day of competition.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-425780" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/22C55FE7-4B2E-4629-8CA1-669E6D697E47.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Aa’Mya Stacker (Della Lamb 3SSB 17U): The 6’2” 2023 forward from Truman was a force in the paint in a victory over Earl Watson Academy. She controlled the boards as she had at least 15 rebounds. She scored several buckets inside down the stretch to break open a close game. Her activity and positioning around the basket made her tough to handle. She also had some impressive rim-runs after grabbing the rebound and giving the ball up to a guard.     <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-425781" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/11F57781-DEFE-4B9B-A050-731219D63BEA.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> [player_tooltip player_id="409909" first="Mariah" last="Dallas"] (St Louis Phenom 17U-Haden): A 5’11" 2023 forward from Fort Zumwalt South who provides matchup issues with her combination of strength and versatility. The southpaw uses her physical strength to maneuver quite well inside against bigger opponents inside. She also can beat defenders off the dribble to finish strong in the lane. She also has the mobility to guard multiple positions on the floor.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-425940" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/700E8AC0-212C-42B3-81C7-D35320656BF5.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> [player_tooltip player_id="187633" first="Emani" last="Bennett"] (Della Lamb 3SSB 17U): The 5’11" 2023 wing was very impressive in many facets of the game with her length and athleticism. She could excel anywhere on the court. One moment, she posting up and in the next, she’s picking up guards in the backcourt and hounding them with her defensive pressure. She scored on some nice slashing moves to the basket and her mid-range jumper is very effective. She could also get out in transition and get easy baskets.     <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-425782" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/5677ACDC-521E-4183-B6AA-39A448DDA43F.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Zoe Newland (St Louis Phenom 16U-Kelly): The 2025 point guard from Pattonville hit one of the biggest shots of the day with a game-winning 3-pointer just ahead of the buzzer in an early morning contest. She hit three 3-pointers in the game. She has good quickness and solid moves off the dribble. She is also a very good defender with her length and athleticism.     <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-425783" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/E27E451A-19E0-450F-8946-365AA6DFA9A1.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> player_tooltip player_id="309415" first="Jada" last="Smith"] (Della Lamb Gold 16U): A 5’11" 2024 forward who was a definite matchup problem. In the first game that I watched her, she was knocking down 3-pointers and beating defenders off the drive. In the second game, she went into the low post and put in a lot of work. She operates well in the pick and roll for the layup or on the flair for the perimeter shot.     <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-425784" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/DD691C85-0B46-4C01-95A9-CA07B3C9114E.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Monet Witherspoon (Midwest United 16U): A 5’7" 2024 combo guard from John Burroughs who plays an excellent all-around game while doing it in a smooth, understated demeanor. She has solid offensive skills from all three levels and she makes good decisions as a ball handler. She also does the little things like blocking out when the shot goes up, staying in the right position on defense and making the extra pass. She really knows how to play the game.     <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-425788" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/CD4AD478-AB1C-4C86-96E6-ACE8CF83999C.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> [player_tooltip player_id="302789" first="Alyssa" last="O’Connor"] (Mo Phenom 15U-Mantz): A 2’025 point guard from Park Hills Central who displayed smooth handles and a nifty 3-point shooting stroke in the morning games. She stays under control while working against pressure defense and she doesn’t allow herself to get sped up. She delivered some beautiful passes to cutting teams for easy baskets.     <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-425790" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/ED3DBD91-F6FA-4920-B409-24A2AABAF25F.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Londyn Parker (Della Lamb 3SSB 15U): A 5’7" combo guard who is one of the many talented players in the Class of 2026 around the state. The athletic lefty plays with a relentless drive at both ends of the floor and she combines it with her physical strength. She pushes the tempo whenever possible and she can get into the lane whenever she wants to. She plays just has hard on the defensive end.     <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-425792" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/92716016-C78A-4999-8D57-555A03ED3692.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Malia Chievous (Mo Phenom 15U-Bell): A 5’10" 2025 guard from Rock Bridge who plays with a tremendous motor at both ends of the court. Her athleticism is matched by her boundless energy when she’s attacking the boards and slashing to the basket off the dribble. She made several nice hustle plays in the game that I watched her. She can also hit the high-arching 3-pointer.     <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-425797" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/F679FEF0-A2BD-4F47-81D5-424DF59F9D74.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Dasia Scott (Midwest United 15U): This 6’0" 2027 power forward provided a glimpse of the future today as played up in the 15U division and more than held her own. She used her strength to hold her position and she displayed some excellent footwork to score inside on drop steps and reverse layups. She could also drive it from the high post. Her upside is very substantial.