518 Superior Showcase Rankings-Super 7 Overall Prospects

On Saturday, I made the short trip to Union College in Schenectady to watch some of the top girls' hoopers in the New England show off their skills at the 518 Superior Showcase. The talent was deep, ranging from 2027-2030 prospects, with players who stood out at each grade level. By the time the session was over, the cream started rising to the top. Remember, this is just one scout's interpretation. Plenty of other players are deserving of recognition, as you can see in my other reports from the weekend. Here are the rankings for my Top 5 Prospects at the showcase.    I have seen [player_tooltip player_id='868365' first='Maggie' last='Volmer'] play multiple times, between the high school season and the AAU Spring Circuit. The more I watch Volmer play, the more impressed I become. Simply put, she does everything well. Volmer is an elite shot blocker and low-post defender. She is a dominant rebounder, making her a double-double machine. Volmer scores on multiple putbacks off the offensive glass and is virtually unstoppable when she is allowed to catch the ball on the block. She uses her strength to power through defenders. She has a soft shooting touch around the hoop. Volmer also connects on midrange shots at a consistent clip. She has very good hands and has a variety of moves in the low post.     I had only seen Charlotte Dawson play once before last weekend, but it didn't take her long to show me what I had been missing. One of the catchphrases among coaches today is "positionless basketball," and that moniker fits Dawson to perfection. She is 5'10" but usually plays a guard position, often the point, but is effective inside as well. Dawson seemed to score at will at times, as she is a matchup nightmare for smaller guards. She is outstanding at playing downhill, getting to the bucket for easy hoops. Dawson is a very good passer with excellent court vision. She rebounds well and scores on putbacks. Dawson has a motor that's always running and a high basketball IQ.     [player_tooltip player_id='1006200' first='Brooke' last='Matessino'] was a key player at John Jay High School this winter. Matessino is a lethal outside shooter. She exhibited unlimited range from beyond the arc, often knocking down shots from far behind the line. Matessino can nail the midrange shot off the dribble. Matessino handles the ball well and attacks the basket aggressively. She is an outstanding finisher off the drive. Matessino moves well without the ball with timely basket cuts. She is also a talented rebounder and defender. Matessino sees the floor well and is an excellent passer.     Maeve Morash of Wilton High School in Connecticut is one of the younger players in this group, but don't let that fool you. Morash is the complete package. Morash is equipped with all of the necessary skills at both ends of the floor. Morash is an outstanding shooter both outside and inside the arc. She has a phenomenal handle with outstanding court vision. Morash drives aggressively to the basket and finishes well. She has very good footwork, which makes her a strong defender. Morash has a competitive mindset that fuels her to play hard on every possession. With two years of high school remaining, she is a player for players to lock in on.     [player_tooltip player_id='1276520' first='Sophia' last='Ryan'] is an electric player who never fails to impress. I have seen Ryan play countless times, and she is the picture of consistency. Being that she is a Class D player, it was interesting to watch her play and hold her own against some of the top prospects in New England. Ryan is a combo guard who can direct a team's offense, find teammates for easy baskets, or score whenever she wants. Ryan is a three-level scorer. She is a lethal 3-point shooter with unlimited range. She can stop on a dime for a pull-up jumper or beat defenders to the basket. Ryan is a fabulous ball-hander and passer. She has superior court vision.     When [player_tooltip player_id='1857007' first='Madisyn' last='Brown'] is on the court, your eyes are immediately drawn to her. Brown is a speedy point guard from Brooklyn L&T High School who is exciting to watch. Brown is super quick and is an elite ballhandler. Her dribble penetration allows her to break down a defense and get to the hoop. Brown is an excellent passer with superb court vision. Perhaps Brown's most impressive skills are on the defensive side of the ball. She is tenacious on the ball as a defender. Brown runs the floor well and is a strong finisher in transition. She is a very good shooter from multiple spots on the floor and can score at all three levels. It is going to be fun watching her develop over the next year.     Jeniyah Wood is a dynamic young point guard from powerhouse Holy Names, and she stood out at the showcase in a variety of areas. Wood is a three-level scorer. She has an explosive first step and can finish from both the right and left sides, and has a consistent floater in her arsenal that is hard to defend. Wood can connect from behind the three-point arc, both off the dribble and on the catch. She is a superb ballhandler and an excellent passer who finds her teammates for easy buckets. Wood is just going to get better and better over the next two seasons.

On Saturday, I made the short trip to Union College in Schenectady to watch some of the top girls' hoopers in the New England show off their skills at the 518 Superior Showcase. The talent was deep, ranging from 2027-2030 prospects, with players who stood out at each grade level. By the time the session was over, the cream started rising to the top. Remember, this is just one scout's interpretation. Plenty of other players are deserving of recognition, as you can see in my other reports from the weekend. Here are the rankings for my Top 5 Prospects at the showcase.