Team 4 had a collection of skill and leadership at the #CoachHemi Middle School Showcase. Photo cred – Larry Rhinehart
Cleveland, Tennessee – It is imperative for players to find opportunities to train and get better in the off-season. Finding weekends where players can travel and get out of their comfort zone can pay dividends in the future. The last weekend in February gave middle school players a chance to compete and gain valuable exposure before the travel basketball season kicks off in March. Here is a look at the players from Team 4.
Class of 2021 Jordan Mason of Cleveland, Tennessee.
Sarah Thompson
Keaton Freitag
Macy Kirby
Class of 2021 guard Sarah Thompson of Gate City, Virginia, proved herself to be a polished all-around guard. She attacks the basket well with either hand and can hit the open jumper. Class of 2021 guard Keaton Freitag of Crossville, Tennessee, is an aggressive rebounder from the guard position. She made a lot of hustle plays, but also showed the skill to hit an array of jumpers off the dribble. Class of 2021 guard Macy Kirby of Knoxville, Tennessee, is a knock down shooter. She was effective at hitting shots off of the move and cut well to get open on back cuts towards the basket.
Brayln McGaha
Aaliyah Vanada
Tori Rutherford
Class of 2021 Brayln McGaha of Cosby, Tennessee, is another good shooter who was featured on this team. She has a very good feel for how to get open away from the basketball to set herself up for a shot. Class of 2021 Aaliyah Vanada of Maryville, Tennessee, showed her athleticism and ability to shoot. She was good at hitting the reversal jumper when the defense helped on the drive. Class of 2021 point guard Tori Rutherford of Bean Station, Tennessee, is a player who stirs the drink for her team. She handles the ball well with either hand and can hit open shots. Her energy and touch around the basket make her a consistent performer.
Jordan Mason
Ciara Taylor
Class of 2021 guard Jordan Mason of Cleveland, Tennessee, is a left-handed shooter who hit spot up jumpers well. Her ability to attack the defense’s momentum was also effective. Class of 2021 guard Ciara Taylor of Dyersburg, Tennessee, has a mature game. Her quick pull-up jumper with great backspin makes her a threat to score consistently. However, it is her toughness that will keep her as a playmaker in future years.
Highlights from the 2017 Coach Hemi Middle School Showcase courtesy of Larry Rhinehart and Jordan Davis
Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. Hemingway serves on the Board of Selectors for the Naismith Trophy. also He is also the publisher of CoachHemi.com. He has been involved in the community since 1996 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him via email at JonathanHemingway@PeachStateBasketball.com and follow him on twitter @JLHemingwayPSB
