Grassroots Spotlight: Empire State Blue Flames 17U

The month of April coming to a close and segueing to May means we are roughly a month into the 2025 grassroots basketball season. Not only is that the case, but we are also fresh off of the first live period of the 2025 travel campaign.    The [program_tooltip program_id='714688' first='Empire' last='State Blue Flames'] are one of the organizations that indeed participated in said live period. It spent its live period at an event in Pennsylvania and is set to take part in three more between now and July.    It has assembled three teams for the AAU season – a 17U team, a 16U team and a 15U team. We spotlight its 17U assembling here.   Adriana Pottier – Pottier is listed at 5-foot-9 and is representing The Masters School on this year's [program_tooltip program_id='714688' first='Empire' last='State Blue Flames'] 17U roster. Included in the skillset of the talented guard is the ability to drain 3-point attempts.   [player_tooltip player_id='559824' first='Charlotte' last='Bradley'] – Bradley was part of a St. John-Vianney team that finished its 2024-25 campaign with a record of 15-7. She is an accurate 3-point shooter and her passing ability can put her teammates in position to make plays as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='422273' first='Emma' last='McHugh'] – Given McHugh stands at 5-foot-11 one can see why she not only thrives as a guard but also at the three in the frontcourt. She particularly shines on the defensive side of the court.   Grace Kearney – [program_tooltip program_id='714688' first='Empire' last='State Blue Flames'] 17U has representation on its roster from all three states in the Tri-State area. Kearney gives a presence not only from Connecticut on the roster but for the St. Luke's program.   [player_tooltip player_id='422276' first='Julia' last='Scott'] – One way to ensure a successful club campaign is to translate a state championship into momentum in AAU play. That is what Scott accomplished this past season after her Albertus Magnus assembling prevailed over Liverpool in the 3A state game. She holds a laundry list of Division I offers – including from Oklahoma, Oregon, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, Penn State and most recently Oklahoma State.   Maddy Zuppe – Zuppe was also part of that Falcons team that experienced the euphoria of a 3A state championship late last month. She is a multi-sport athlete who also thrives as a lacrosse standout.   [player_tooltip player_id='601267' first='Mia' last='Washington'] – Washington, similar to Scott, is another who has plenty of Division I offers to mull over. She was offered by Penn back in February and has also drawn interest from William & Mary, Hofstra, Lehigh, Elon, Delaware, Siena, Bryant, LaSalle, Stony Brook, Binghamton, Quinnipiac, Marist and Boston College.   London Powell – Speaking of standouts that received offers from Siena, that was the case for Powell last year. When one averages 15 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals a contest, that will certainly draw plenty of collegiate interest.   [player_tooltip player_id='1047095' first='Phoebe' last='Greto'] – A double-double possibility on a game-by-game basis, Greto was a key piece on a Rye team that concluded last season with a 21-4 record and claimed a Section 1 Class 2A championship following a 53-47 win over Walter Panas.   [player_tooltip player_id='789549' first='Sienna' last='Drullinsky'] – Drullinsky is the lone representative from Northern Valley – Old Tappan on this year's [program_tooltip program_id='714688' first='Empire' last='State Blue Flames'] 17U roster. She brings plenty of height to any team as she stands at 6-foot-1.   Schedule   Apr. 12-13 – Team Northeast Event – Albany, NY   Apr. 25-27 – Select 40 Session 1 – Pennsylvania   May. 10-11 – Select Spring Classic – Manalapan, NJ   May. 16-18 – Select Showcase – Atlantic City, NJ   Jun. 7-8 – Select Prime East – Pennsylvania   Jul. 10-14 – Select Super Showcase – Ohio   Jul. 18-21 – Select 40 Finals - Ohio

The month of April coming to a close and segueing to May means we are roughly a month into the 2025 grassroots basketball season. Not only is that the case, but we are also fresh off of the first live period of the 2025 travel campaign.