USJN Qualifier Midwest: First Day Standouts (Pt. 1)

<h6 style="text-align: center;">The<span style="font-family: ’book antiqua’, palatino, serif;"> USJN Qualifier always exceeds expectations, and the 10th Annual event was no different. With over 5 plus courts spread throughout the massive facility, picking the right spot to have visibility of multiple games at once was key. 12 plus hours, 64 teams, 8 games at one time, and an endless amount of talent.. there’s no other way to spend a Saturday. </span></h6> <h6 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ’book antiqua’, palatino, serif;">Below are my standouts from Day 1</span></h6> &nbsp; <strong>’24 [player_tooltip player_id="405510" first="Meegan" last="Fahy"] | 5’7 Guard | Chicago Hoops Express 17 Silver BSTTL</strong> Some are fast, but not quick... Fahy is both, but with a little more. Her speed is top-notch and she can cover 94 ft within a blink of an eye. Skillset-wise, Meegan has it all. She can score at all levels, handle the ball, has great stamina, and her IQ is tier one. Defensively, her quickness matched with discipline makes Fahy the perfect type of two-way guard. The creativity and instincts are shown on both sides of the ball. An overall mismatch. <strong>’24 Audrey Mahoney | 5’10 Wing | Chicago Sky Academy 17 </strong> The lefty from St Ignatius is a matchup nightmare for all perimeter players. Her size, strength, and patience are key to her extensive skill set. Scoring-wise... three levels, effortless and tremendous tempo. Her form and release are textbook and like most lefties... it’s mechanically perfect. On the opposite side of the ball, those same 3 keys are shown as well. She can lock up 2-4, and cause problems for the 1 &amp; 5. Tremendous potential. <strong>’25 [player_tooltip player_id="352111" first="Diann" last="Jackson"] | 6’1 Post | Chicago Hoops Express 17 Silver BSTTL</strong> Jackson might be unguardable and if someone can, it’ll take them a whole half and a quarter... and by then it’s too late. Her footwork, physicality, and her block to block mobility are a headache for the opponent. Low post, high post, or in the paint... Diann is a bucket. She’s patient and has great awareness and touch around the rim. With nothing but years on her side, the rise of the Kenwood standout will be something to keep both eyes on. <strong>'23 Megen Sanaj | 5'8 Guard | Chicago Sky Academy 17 </strong> Offensively, there isn't a spot or angle on the court that Sanaj cant score from. Her handle mixed with her creativity and high instinct floor vision makes her the perfect combo guard for any high-level collegiate program. Three-level bucket, pinpoint passer, athletic and agile, the Latin High school standout is beyond her years. Megen also has great feel for the court on the defensive side as well. She knows how to use her physicality and angles to slow down whoever she's guarding or in the fast break and passing lanes, she shows patience and awareness to get a clean steal or a chase-down block. Her potential is <em>Sky High</em> <strong>’24 [player_tooltip player_id="349415" first="Paige" last="Engels"] | 5’7 Guard | Full Package 17 Black</strong> Scoring comes naturally to Paige and she can put up numbers with the best of them. Engels has a simple but very impactful type of skill set. She can score off the catch, put the ball down and get to the bucket, or simply isolate and break her opponent down for an assist, or just score from wherever. Defensively, she’s a product of the Loyola Academy way... lock up everything. She’s gritty and gives 100% effort from start to finish. A plug-and-play type of guard that fits all systems. <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>’25 London Walker-George | 5’9 Guard | Chicago Hoops Express 17 Navy BSTTJL</strong></span> A physical and locked-in combo guard who plays every possession with the same amount of energy. London has a knack for getting to the rim when and how she wants.. no matter who is in front of her. She has speed, solid handles, and a high motor that puts so many in foul trouble. When defending the ball, she puts out the same amount of energy and focus. <strong>’24 Emilia Sierra | 5’9 Guard | All In Athletics 17 3SSB</strong> The overseas knowledge and skillset are noticed immediately. Sierra’s style of play fits into every offensive scheme. She has the passing skill, scoring touch, and defensive stamina. She has some length that gives her the upper hand on both offense and defense. Great speed and tempo to her game. Her awareness and passing skill is top-notch as well. A for sure plug-and-play type of player. <strong>’26 Greta Thompson | 5’11 Guard | Illinois Elite 16 Diamond BSTTJL</strong> Thompson’s upside is high and her skill set at her age is scary. Greta can put the ball in the bucket at all levels, and be a playmaker for anyone on the court. Her length and mobility causes mismatch problems for 1-3 and her quickness can be a problem for taller girls that switch out. On the opposite side, her frame and length causes the same type of mismatches. She's tough to guard and harder to get by. With nothing but time on her side, the incoming Fremd freshman will be a name to remember. &nbsp;