Memorable Performances In 2023

Throughout the 2023 calendar year, I’ve had the privilege to attend and watch hundreds of high school, college, and professional basketball games. I’ve seen everything from game winning buzzer-beaters, to 35+ point performances, to a player recording multiple triple-doubles throughout a weekend, sometimes even with 10 blocks. What I mean to say is, I’ve seen a lot. In the article below I am going to highlight the most memorable performances of the year that I’ve had a chance to see either from afar or live and in person. With the 2023-2024 middle school/high school/collegiate season currently tipping off throughout the month of November in the Midwest, there are sure to be more memorable performances to come but for now, we will only be recapping up until this point.

Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!

The “Tanke & Riley” State Championship Game

During the 2022-2023 girls high school basketball season in Iowa, the Johnston Dragons put together a meaningful season. All in all, they may not have won their State Title but throughout the year they demonstrated what it was like be a successful team. In most games, they dominated in convincing fashion while in the tighter matchups, they made big plays in clutch time. Referring back to the 5A State Title game, the duo that kept the Dragons team in it throughout the stretch was Aili Tanke Aili Tanke 6'0" | SG Johnston | 2024 State IA and Aaliyah Riley Aaliyah Riley 5'7" | PG Johnston | 2024 State IA . Tanke and Riley combined for 46 points (23 each) on 16/35 shooting, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists. When you account for the entire Johnston team scoring 56 points in this game, you start to understand why these numbers are so impressive. The Dragons may have fallen just short, 56-59 in the end but this game will forever be known as the “Tanke & Riley Game” moving forward. Without their production, it would not have been a close matchup.

Gracie Cosgrove Gracie Cosgrove 5'9" | CG Stephen T. Badin | 2025 State OH Hits 14 Three Points

Back at the end of January, Gracie Cosgrove Gracie Cosgrove 5'9" | CG Stephen T. Badin | 2025 State OH of Badin High School in Ohio put on a special performance in her teams 78-33 win. Cosgove made a school record 14 three pointers to help lead her team to the victory. Let me say that one more time. Cosgrove made a school record, 14 three pointers to help lead her team to the win. I’m not exactly sure of the actual stat line that Cosgrove put up but to score 42 points off of three pointers alone in any contest is very impressive. Especially when you shoot over 50% from the field while doing it. When you go back to watch the highlights from this game you noticed two things. The first being that the team she played against, stayed in a 2-3 zone the entire game, even when Cosgrove started off the day going 4-4 from behind the arc. The second is that Cosgrove can flat out shoot. Doesn’t matter if it is off of the dribble or in a catch-and-shoot situation. If you give her any space and she see’s one go in early, it could be a really long contest. I’ve seen some great performances this calendar year across the board, by far this is one of the most impressive.

Cali Sparks 17U EYBL Wins Chicago – Nike Nationals

The Cali Sparks 17U EYBL AAU team came into Chicago and left with a National Championship this summer at Nike Nationals. The reason for this feat being so eye-opening is because of the road they had to take to get there. Unlike most EYBL teams this year, at this event the Sparks came to play with only six competitors. This would usually be a death sentence to any other program but the Sparks, behind the leadership of USC commit Kennedy Smith, made it work. Not only did they make it work, they dominated in most of their contests in which they participated in. In the Championship, the Sparks had to face off against the All Iowa Attack . The Attack, coming off of a semi-final game where they made 18/35 three pointers, could never find their rhythm against the Sparks zone and in the end, the team from Cali ended up winning by around double-digits. To go onto a national stage like the EYBL, only dress 6 players, and to come out on top is an accomplishment that everyone in that program should be proud of. Their strategy and disciple in the end was on full display and that’s why they are Champions today.

Joycelyn Moore Scores 30+ For CY Select 17U

While on the road this spring for AAU coverage, I had the opportunity to attend a PGH event in Council Bluffs Iowa. At this event, I had the chance to see a handful of good teams perform over three days but the most impressive performance was put on by Jocelyn Moore of CY Select 17U. Moore poured in just over 30 points in this contest and was giving her opponent BUCKETS in anyway they wanted. In the basketball universe, sometimes a player can be “unconscious.” It’s something that happens when that player is just unstoppable in some aspect of the game. In this instance, it didn’t matter if it was from a step over half court or next to the rim, if Moore had a good shot at the basket, it had a chance of going in. She was lighting it up from all over the court left and right, hitting back to back threes and much, much more. Looking toward the future, Moore competes out of Kansas so I won’t see her again on a high school floor but I’m sure she is going to impress for her senior season and into her college career once this winter comes to a close.

2028’s Showing Out

The last bundle of players that I want to give a shoutout to is a group of girls that is still competing at the middle school level this winter, depending on their home states high school rules. This group of players is four individuals that I have mentioned in the past year, that have shown their ability at an elite level. We are talking about such a superior level compared to the others their age, it would shock me if each one of these individuals DID NOT compete at a Power-5 college when their high school careers come to a close.

The Players: Jhaliana Guy Jhaliana Guy 5'7" | PG Clinton | 2028 IA (2028 – IA), Riley Schellhammer (2028 – IN), Khloe Nicholson (2028 – IL), Chloe Johnson (2028 – MN)

On multiple occasions, these girls demonstrated elite offensive ability, crazy athleticism, high motors, and advanced – strategic knowledge of the game. If they stay dedicated and keep working on the correct things these next few seasons, they are sure to shine against whatever competition they matchup against in the future. That’s a given. These four names are MUST knows, not only throughout the Midwest but throughout the country.