Empire Takeover Top Propects-Part 1

Recently, I attended the Empire Takeover Summer Kickoff at Impact Athletic Center in Halfmoon, NY. 120 of the top girls' hoopers in the Northeast were in attendance. Many players who were named all-state in New York were in the mix, along with several other strong players. Here is my first look at some of the top prospects who caught my eye.    I have seen [player_tooltip player_id='1814754' first='Addison' last='Thornton'] play several times, but she still immediately grabbed my attention. Even with the talent assembled for these showcase games, she stood out as soon as the ball went up. Thornton is an outstanding ballhandler. Her change of speeds and crossover moves make her very difficult to keep out of the paint off the bounce. Once Thornton penetrates the lane, she is a strong finisher or finds an open teammate for a premium scoring opportunity. Thornton has a smooth shooting touch, whether beyond the arc or from the midrange. Thornton's signature move is a step-back 3-point shot.     It was the first time I saw Maia Schiavone play, but my eyes gravitated to her quickly. Schiavone is an elite ballhandler. Schiavone played for a powerful Ketcham team that was loaded with talent. Schiavone is a superb shooter with a smooth, quick release. She is especially lethal from beyond the 3-point arc. When Schiavone receives the ball off the catch, she is already in position to fire. Schiavone is solid at getting to the rim and finishing. She also rebounds very well for her size.     Avery Ostrander is a rising star in Section 2 basketball. As a freshman, Ostrander averaged 13.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. She is a very seasoned player for her age. Ostrander is an outstanding perimeter shooter with a silky-smooth touch. She can nail 3-pointers from every position on the floor. Ostrander is a skilled point guard who can dissect defenses off the bounce. She is a superior decision maker, and her court vision and awareness make her a high-level passer. Ostrander is an accomplished defender. Her size from the guard spot allows her to guard multiple positions. She can handle quicker or taller guards. Ostrander has a high upside and will be fun to watch over the coming seasons.     From the North Country comes [player_tooltip player_id='1276531' first='Reese' last='Duprey'] from Peru. Duprey led her team to the Section VII Class A championship and was the Player of the Year for her conference. She was also named a NYSSWA Class A Fourth Team All-Star. Duprey is a complete player who can do it all. She is a prolific scorer who can put the rock in the bucket from all three levels. Duprey uses her size to dominate smaller guards in the paint and has the moves to maneuver around defenders. She is solid on the dribble and can finish at the rim with either hand. Duprey is a very good shooter from every spot on the floor and a fierce rebounder and defender.     [player_tooltip player_id='934564' first='Elizabeth' last='Kearney'] helped lead Bethlehem to a Section 2 title, regional championship, and spot in the state championship game. Kearney was named a NYSSWA Seventh Team All-Star. She had her entire array of skills on display at the showcase. Kearney is an outstanding shooter. She can connect for 3-pointers from any spot on the floor consistently. Her range is unlimited as she routinely hits shots from well beyond the arc. Kearney runs the floor well and is a strong finisher in transition. Her anticipation skills make her an excellent defender. Kearney also rebounds very well from the guard position.

Recently, I attended the Empire Takeover Summer Kickoff at Impact Athletic Center in Halfmoon, NY. 120 of the top girls' hoopers in the Northeast were in attendance. Many players who were named all-state in New York were in the mix, along with several other strong players. Here is my first look at some of the top prospects who caught my eye.