Ball Never Lies Battle of the Stars Showcase Standouts

I attended the Ball Never Lies Battle of the Stars Showcase. It was a good event with good talent on display. Here are a few standouts from the high school game. Follow me on Twitter @Feinbergjustin to see highlights from the event. [player_tooltip player_id='351869' first='Ava' last='Dwyer'], Position G, Class 2026, High School Gronton. Ava finished the game with 16 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assist. She finished the game being very efficient from the field going 6-7. They say basketball is a game of runs. Ava's team started the game down, but I was impressed with how she did not force it or look discouraged. She just kept playing her game, and helped her team get right back into it. Ava is always a threat from three point range, and not a player who should be left open. She shot a high percentage from the outside, and showed her range throughout the game. She has a smooth shooting form with a quick release. She can run the offense, and handles the ball with confidence. Ava understands the game well and plays above the level of a freshman. A skilled guard, who should be an impact player in her career at Gronton. [player_tooltip player_id='393018' first='Angelys' last='Alvarez'], Position CG, Class 2026, High School ST Bernard's Alvarez finished the game with 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals. Alvarez showed her ability to be a scorer in multiple ways. She can hit shots from the outside, and also attacked the hard close out. She played with high energy throughout the game, and had some nice finishes at the rim, and from the outside. She also did a good job on defense jumping the passing lane. Alvarez looks confident playing, and has good ball handling skills. In the game I liked how she dribbled with a purpose. She can be a flashy player, but more importantly has the fundamentals to be an impact player at the high school level. [player_tooltip player_id='273940' first='Gianna' last='Nichols'], Worcester Academy, Class 2025, Position G, Gianna finished the game with 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Gianna had a good showing at the Battle of the Stars. She is a Guard with good all around skill set. She played well in transition and in the half court. She did a good job pushing the ball and passing the ball up the floor. In the half court she made some nice finishes at the rim, and made some good reads on the defense, leading to buckets for her teammates. She had a nice give and go play, and one play where she got her own rebound and scored. She made many clutch free throws down the stretch to help secure the win for her team. Such a relief for a coach to have players who can make free throws late in the game. She also forced a turnover when denying the entry pass in the post. Keep Gianna on your radar this season at Worcester Academy. [player_tooltip player_id='278583' first='Summer' last='Warren'], Position F, Class 2026, High School Brooks. Summer finished the game with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. She does not look like a freshman playing, because of her size and skill set. She is a strong 6'1 forward that can move well, and control the paint. She had a number of impressive plays, one was where she got a rebound then scored on the pick and roll. Warren is strong finishing at the rim, and can finish through contact. She also is a very good on the rebounds. She has good post moves down low, and good footwork. Warren is a paint protector on defense, and plays physical. She has improved her all around skill set, making her a very strong prospect. [player_tooltip player_id='278582' first='Olivia' last='Fleming'], Northfield Mount Hermon, Class 2026, Position PG, Fleming finished the game with 13 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. She plays with poise and a showed her high basketball IQ. She has good handles, and can score at all three levels. She has a very quick first step off the dribble. She is a good decision maker, something you want in your teams Point Guard. She knows when to be a scorer, and when to take more of a facilitator role. She has been playing up in AAU for a while now, and proves she can play with older competitions. She attacked down hill, and shot well from the outside. Look for her to make an impact right away at Northfield Mount Hermon.