Northwood Team Camp: Strong Start

Northwood Team Camp is an event on my coverage schedule every summer. As a varsity coach and now a Prep Girls Hoops scout, this is my fifth straight year attending camp. Great hospitality and a variety of high school teams from across Michigan keep me coming back. The stars shine, and diamonds in the rough reveal themselves every year. Here are a few of the standouts from day one of camp:    Alexis has a history of standing out at Northwood Team Camp, and she started strong for Imlay City in game one. Alexis has shiftiness off the dribble, quickness, and athleticism that, combined with her length, separate her on the floor. She used a fancy side-step euro move in the lane to avoid a defender, then finished with a smooth inside hand layup. Alexis climbed an invisible ladder to score a sweet reverse on the baseline and launched a deep three up top that found the bottom of the net. Her recruiting took off during the AAU season, and she's not going to be a hidden gem much longer.     Caroline does everything on the court to help Sandusky be successful. A frequent top performer at Northwood Team Camp year after year, Caroline started strong right from the opening game. She drove by from the top of the key and dropped in a floater before the help could arrive. Caroline put defenders in jail on drives, protecting the ball with her body, drew the help, and delivered great touch passes with her right and left to open teammates for assists. She buried a wing three and made a smooth transfer in the paint to her left hand for a bucket off the glass. Caroline created steals with her ball pressure and jumped a perimeter pass for a swipe, accelerated towards the rim, then scored with a scoop finish through contact for the and-one.     Addison delivered a productive opening game for Lake Fenton at Northwood Team Camp. She cut backdoor, caught the entry pass in stride, and made a smooth transfer to score an inside-hand finish. She cut backdoor again and scored a nice left-handed finish at the rim. Addison crashed the glass hard to secure offensive rebounds and started the fast break. She handles the ball, facilitates, and has the versatility to play inside or on the perimeter. Addison is looking to major in Sports Psychology.     Brooklyn has length and versatility as a wing-guard that immediately catches your attention when she steps onto the floor. Her potential really stood out on day one of Northwood Team Camp. She cut to the basket and made a smooth transfer for an in stride finish without missing a beat. Brooklyn moved her feet to avoid fouling on a drive, anticipated the shot, then blocked it away clean. She looks to set up teammates with her passes and contributes as a rebounder.     Sophie gave Lake Fenton a spark with her hustle and perimeter shooting. She shot the ball confidently from beyond the arc and drained the open three. Sophie drove hard to the basket in transition for a bucket and used excellent outside hand technique to deflect an entry pass. She works hard on the defensive end, handles the ball with poise, and makes the effort plays. Sophie is looking to pursue a degree in Nursing.

Northwood Team Camp is an event on my coverage schedule every summer. As a varsity coach and now a Prep Girls Hoops scout, this is my fifth straight year attending camp. Great hospitality and a variety of high school teams from across Michigan keep me coming back. The stars shine, and diamonds in the rough reveal themselves every year. Here are a few of the standouts from day one of camp: