Premiere Prospect .. 5 on 5 Standouts

<h5 style="text-align: center;">This<em><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"> past weekend, I was fortunate enough to be invited to a one of a kind... combine-esque event at Mt Caramel High School. The "Premiere Prospect" event was sponsored by Eastbay, Wilson Basketball, Gatorade, and CRTSIDE. These sponsorships gave the 4-hour showcase a "professional" atmosphere from the front door. As the girls walked in they were welcomed with combine jerseys, towels, a photoshoot area, and also the feeling of professional cameramen highlighting their every move. </span></em></h5> &nbsp; When 3:30 pm hit on the clock, the prospects knew what time it was. After hours of drills, running sets, and making new friends...it was time to show up or get shown up. The teams were selected blacktop style. 4 captains and a line of players. High expectations for the first selection and another chip to add to the shoulder of the last pick. The 5s started circuit-style.. 2 games at one time.. the losing team switches sides... just to get the competitive juices flowing. Soon after, all teams took center stage to have all eyes on them. Four games, two teams &amp; one court. Refs were present to add to the excitement and competitiveness of these games.. and you could feel it from tipoff. Below are 5 girls who put on a show on both center and side stage for the 5 v 5's. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="158262" first="Kennedi" last="Perkins"] | '22 Elite Scorer | Bolingbrook</strong> 4th in the state and 2nd at her position in our rankings. Kennedi is cut from an assains cloth. In these 10 minute games, she came out the gate on a mission. Within 6 minutes she scored 20+ plus. Second game 15+. She had a stretch where she gave flashes of a young Cappie Pondexter, to be honest. Kennedi is aggressive as they come, she doesn't care who's in front of her.. shes getting a bucket. Her skillset is D1.. her IQ is high and her pace is excellent. Though she didn't get to put on a show on the main court (twisted ankle)... she put the gym on notice with her first two games. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="265996" first="Tahj" last="Bloom"] | '24 Postionless | Bolingbrook</strong> Most players CAN play other positions, but not how they can play their primary position. Bloom can effectively play the 1-5. Throughout each game, she played every role on the court. Facilitator, defensive stopper, PnR, and go-to scorer. She's a walking 25 and 15 but can also average a high number of blocks and steals. On the main stage, bloom showed off her talents consistently. The vision was on high alert, her defense was lockdown and her scoring was smooth and confident. Her personality matched with her natural gifts has definitely shaped her to be a leader. She's vocal, encouraging, and is always locked in. She's earning those offers for sure. Big Time Bloom! <strong>Destiny Jackson | '25 Elite Scoring Guard | Whitney Young</strong> You know she has a game the moment you see her dribble the ball. Destiny is must-see TV. She plays both sides off the ball with no let-up. After her breaking down and scoring on whoever boldly steps up, she gets right back on defense with the same amount of energy. In all games, Destiny showed that she's a true point guard, but just might be a 30 and 5 at heart. Her size allows her to create with ease, but her creativity allows her to score wherever. She'll be a winner, leader, and STAR on every level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="148159" first="Natasha" last="Barnes"] | '23 Elite Two Way Guard | Lindbloom</strong> Each team during the 5v5 runs had a least 3 girls that can have the ball on a string. Barnes put a lockbox on them all. For the side games to the main stage, Barnes was strategically placed on their best ball handler and sometimes best scorer. Discipline on defense is key. Don't swipe, don't push, and stay on your feet. In the main game, the best ball handler in the gym couldn't get past Natasha at all. There were multiple possessions, where she made a stop and then came back and knocked down a 3 without a drop of energy. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="265962" first="Ariana" last="Bullock"] | '24 Elite Two Way Wing | Kenwood</strong> Tall and slim players are labeled before they even touch the court. Some say clumsy and most say weak. No one says either about the 6'2 wing from Kenwood. Ari is different. From the moment the ball was tipped, she made an impact on each possession. Pick and pops, pick and flares, DHO's, slip screens.. it didn't matter. She is willing to do it all for her teammates first.. and she'll get hers last. Her awareness under and around the basket doesn't go unnoticed. Quick turn jump hooks, back down baby hooks and pump fake hard drives. Bullock is gifted. On the defensive side... Ari can guard 1-3 but will shut down the 4 and 5 with no hesitation. Her ability to react and recover is a talent within itself. She will swat it to the 3rd row, or bait you to drive so she can use her length to snatch it from behind. Ari's ceiling will keep rising. <strong>Honorable Mentions - Nakiyah Mays-Prince, Amina Gray, Tia Poulakidas, [player_tooltip player_id="203011" first="Breana" last="Dugans"], [player_tooltip player_id="205567" first="Jessie" last="Ozzauto"], [player_tooltip player_id="78810" first="Whitney" last="Dunn"] &amp; Amina Gray</strong> &nbsp;