2023 Rankings: The Special Sauce All-American Status
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Anyone can have two all bee patties, lettuce, pickles, cheese and onions, the special sauce is something that’s proprietary. The DMV seems to have some reserved All-American spots every year and that’s something that I don’t see changing any time…
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Continue ReadingAnyone can have two all bee patties, lettuce, pickles, cheese and onions, the special sauce is something that’s proprietary. The DMV seems to have some reserved All-American spots every year and that’s something that I don’t see changing any time soon. It’s gotten to the point that the influencers, decision makers and national know-it-alls find their way to the DMV and work out from here. There is a formula to follow to become an All-American and their are a handful of people that know what it is. Letting you in on a little secret step one starts with having talent.
The potential for All-American Status was seen from Jadyn in middle school. She was gifted with incredible athleticism. Her decision to attend Sidwell Friends wasn’t a pile on as the Quakers didn’t have the national recognition at the time but it was the right business move. Ripping defenders up on the EYBL circuit put her on the fast track to national recognition. She has held the top spot since the rankings were first published five years ago and never looked back.
Fadima was an All-American nominee and a player that you couldn’t be mad about if she made the team. Physically she can compete with anyone on the team and when given the chance she can dominate in most any situation. She has played alongside “star” players for the better part of her career and sometimes you have to defer and sacrifice for the success of the team. She will surely shine in college and get opportunities to show her complete package.
Delaney really emerged in entering her junior year. Getting out there competing in James Nichols Blacktop Scrimmage woke something up inside of her that took her game to another level. She was solid in her subsequent EYBL season but with Coach Scribner giving her the latitude to expand her game out of the post, it paid dividends to both parties. Missing a big chunk of the season to a hand injury kept her out off of the team, in past years an injury of her type wouldn’t have mattered and had been frowned upon by fans trying to justify the move. Regardless, she is one of the countries best and will show it at Duke.
Laila had the skill, athleticism and the political connects. She got the hype going with a hype video of her throwing it down in practice. This was enough to make the powers that be take notice. The next part is to get on the right court where the lights are shining then show up when the influencers come to see you play. If it sounds like a code it’s not, it’s a formula for success.
Riley did what she needed to do at the right time against the right people with the right people watching to secure her spot in the big game. Playing well enough to deserve a spot on the USA Basketball team and not making the team can still boost your status. With the USA team she fell victim to the politics of promises and numbers. A couple of strategic moves and a solid EYBL summer put her in a position where she couldn’t be overlooked anymore.