Team 7 had a number of high potential players 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 7.
The middle school players at the #CoachHemi MS Showcase came ready to work. Photo cred – Larry Rhinehart
Bailey Evans
Sloan Carpenter
Ansley Pruett
Team 7 have a number of players that are just beginning to realize their potential on the basketball court. Class of 2021 Bailey Evans of Pickett County Middle School demonstrated her ability to learn the game at the camp. She is true student of the game and has the DNA to become a very reliable point guard at the high school level. Sloan Carpenter of Lake Forest Middle School stepped onto a big stage as a sixth grader. She is a good ball handler and hit several contested jumpers during game play. Class of 2021 guard Ansley Pruett of Ocoee Middle School was another local player who came out to show her skill. She is a very good shooter and the rest of her game will only improve as she gets more confident.
Carissa Curtis
Kadee Farell
Chloe Burton
Class of 2021 guard Carissa Curtis of Chapel Hill, Tennessee, had one of the purest shots in the building. Her release is high and consistent. Class of 2022 Kadee Ferrell is an intriguing prospect from Smithville, Tennessee. She has great size and projects to grow even taller in future years. She moves well on the court and very aggressive at driving and rebounding. Class of 2021 Chloe Burton of Byrdstown, Tennessee, showed a diversity of skills. She hit the jumper with range while also being effective on the defensive end. At 5-7 she has size to be effective on the wing in upcoming years on both ends.
Jayden Merriweather
Anna Muhonen
Nyla Grace Collier
Class of 2021 wing Jayden Merriweather of Greeneville, Tennessee, should be a welcome addition to any team. She can hit long range jumpers while also rebounding in the lane. Her versatility should make her a valuable asset on the court. Class of 2021 forward/post Anna Muhonen of Cleveland, Tennessee, should be watched closely for development. She has the length to make life difficult for opponents around the basket. Offensively is where she could blossom into a great hi-lo player. She has soft touch to score with her back to the basket and range to shoot from the perimeter. Nyla Grace Collier of Madison, Alabama, will be a player that we talk about for years to come. Just a sixth grader, she has skills beyond her age to go along with athleticism and physical maturity. It is too early to tell what her specialty will be, but she has tools and size to be good as she matures.
@JLHemingwayPSB #CoachHemi Thanks for a great camp today. AL Southern Starz 2023 Nyla Grace Collier #GettingBetter. pic.twitter.com/mybEge2ixG
— Rita Patton Collier (@cblu007) February 27, 2017
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
