Airport Showcase: Morning Standouts

On Monday, I journeyed southbound down I-275 to attend the 12th annual Airport Basketball Showcase Event in Carleton. This showcase provides a great opportunity for me to evaluate downriver prospects, while also giving new high school teams Prep Girls Hoops coverage. With games from 10 AM to 7:30 PM, there were plenty of games to watch throughout the day. The event was very well organized and operated by the host. The first two games saw Ida defeat Jefferson 40-22 and Flat Rock defeat Livonia Churchill 57-27. Here are several impact players who stood out during the morning games.    Jaelyn used crossovers to create separation from defenders and drove downhill with a purpose. She pushed the ball in transition using both hands, scored a layup off the dribble, and added two more off smart backdoor cuts. She led the Bears with seven points and grabbed four rebounds at the Airport Showcase.     Brinley never stops working on the court, and she contributed in all phases to help Flat Rock earn a win at the Airport Showcase. She pursued an offensive rebound, then converted a smooth reverse layup. Brinley clamped down on a ball aggressively to tie it up on defense and moved her feet quickly to cause a travel. She dribbled into a smooth straightaway three and was an effective facilitator. Brinley finished with a productive 12 points, four rebounds, and four steals for the Rams.     Layla is a scrappy, tough, and skilled guard with a dangerous perimeter jumper. She handled the ball confidently with both hands, penetrated the defense, and delivered passes on the money to open teammates. Layla was efficient from beyond the arc and buried three triples with a confident follow-through. She makes smart backdoor cuts and causes jump balls with her aggressive defense. Layla is a senior who can be a very productive addition to a college program.     Hannah is a promising freshman in the Jefferson program who makes an impact with her effort on both ends of the floor. She crashed the glass to secure multiple offensive rebounds. Hannah created steals with her anticipation, quick hands, and pesky pressure. She protected the ball with aggressive rips and shot the ball with confidence.     Lilah gave Ida a physical advantage in the post at the Airport Showcase. She muscled her way into position for high percentage shots and rebounds. Lilah earned multiple trips to the free-throw line and knocked them down. She drove hard to the basket off a DHO and scored a backdoor cut layup off two feet. Lilah walled up to block a shot and crashed the glass. She sprinted ahead in transition, caught the pass in stride, and switched hands to her left for the layup. Lilah ended the day with a productive eight points and seven rebounds.     Cecilia is a freshman guard who will be a foundation player in the Livonia Churchill program moving forward. She created second-chance scoring opportunities with her effort on the offensive glass and dropped in a smooth floater off two feet. Cecilia shot the ball with balance off the bounce and dished out a great assist on a dribble-at backdoor. She showed potential to be excited about at the Airport Showcase.     Alivia made the effort plays and constantly had her hands on the ball for Jefferson at the Airport Showcase. She has great instincts on the defensive end and created several steals. Alivia buried a three, scored a layup off a steal, and caused turnovers with her full-court pressure. She landed with a jump stop and dished out an accurate pass for the assist to a cutter. Alivia was active for the Bears with six points, seven steals, and three assists.     Adelina was the best player on the court for Churchill at the Airport Showcase. She made a smart backdoor cut, caught the pass with good hands, and finished the tough layup. Adelina can slash to the basket and snipe from beyond the arc. She pivoted to get her feet set, then buried the wing three. Adelina drained a deep wing three, made the hustle plays, and stayed in front of a cutter to deflect an entry pass. She split defenders on a hard drive and dropped in a soft floater over the help. Adelina led the team with 11 points and three steals.     Adisyn gave Ida a spark with her perimeter shooting, unselfish passing, and scrappy defense. She worked hard to deny cutters, chased after 50/50 balls, and crashed the glass. Adisyn swiped the ball away on defense, caused a foul, and drained both free throws with confidence. She's an efficient free-throw maker that you want at the line in key moments. Adisyn catches the ball ready to fire, and buried a smooth corner triple. She throws skip passes on a rope to open teammates and contributes in every area for the Bluestreaks. Adisyn gave the team a productive outing with nine points, four rebounds, and four steals.

On Monday, I journeyed southbound down I-275 to attend the 12th annual Airport Basketball Showcase Event in Carleton. This showcase provides a great opportunity for me to evaluate downriver prospects, while also giving new high school teams Prep Girls Hoops coverage. With games from 10 AM to 7:30 PM, there were plenty of games to watch throughout the day. The event was very well organized and operated by the host. The first two games saw Ida defeat Jefferson 40-22 and Flat Rock defeat Livonia Churchill 57-27. Here are several impact players who stood out during the morning games.