Top plays from the 2012 Atlanta Fall Showcase hosted by C3P Atlanta. Teams featured are Peak Performance, Atlanta Celtics, Georgia Pearls, Knoxville Lady Panthers and the Bama Storm.

Established and new names highlight the Atlanta Fall Showcase

2014 guard Jada Byrd of the Atlanta Celtics brings the ball up the court during the Atlanta Fall Showcase at All Tournament Players Park in Marietta, Georgia. (Photo by Kelly Kline)

PHOTO GALLERY

We were pleased to support the inaugural 2012 Atlanta Fall Showcase hosted by the newly formed group C3P Atlanta which consists of:  the Atlanta Celtics, Peak Performance, Georgia Pistols and Georgia Pearls -- all respected and well established AAU programs in the greater Atlanta area.  Their first NCAA certified event was well organized, well attended by quality teams, and close to 100 college coaches were present to take in the action.  As far as the talent is concerned, some familiar faces who are already in the BCS mix showed they are refining their skills, and a few young players popped up on our radar.  All the players written up have BCS potential and are listed alphabecially by class.

2014

Jada Byrd, 5-10 guard/forward, Redan High School, Stone Mountain, GA (Atlanta Celtics Gold 1)

This Byrd is far from a finished product, but we like where she's headed.  Her outside shot seems to come and go although the form looks good.  Her left hand dribble still needs work.  However, you are looking at a nice athlete with a medium-solid build, a good work rate on defense, nice passer for a wing player and finisher on the fast break.  Not a bad package!

Brea Elmore, 5-9 point guard, Redan High School, Stone Mountain, GA (Atlanta Celtics Gold 1)

What you think of this player may depend on the day you see her.  At times she appears not to be playing hard.  Maybe all that is just efficiency of movement!  As point guards go, she has good height built on a medium-solid frame and reliable handles.  Her vision in the open court is above average as is her passing in general.  Scoring is primarily via penetration.  The release on her shot appeared a bit lower and the area of improved perimeter shooting is probably where most work is needed.   

Mackenzie Engram, 6-2 forward, Hillgrove High School, Powder Springs, GA (Peak Performance Blue)

Mackenzie Engram is one player who continues to attract more high major division one interest as she grows older.  It’s not what her game is but where big time programs think it is headed.  This junior plays hard and has good basketball IQ, playing with above average athleticism within the designed system.  When first seen as a freshman, her game at both ends was around the basket.  Now she can guard an opposing small forward with her strong medium frame.  Her passing is good and she moves well without the ball on offense.  What needs to be added is perimeter range as scoring is primarily done with a finish near the basket.  One added plus is her shot blocking ability.  

Justice Wright, 6-4 center, Houston County High School, Warner Robbins, GA (Southeastern Lady Blazers Red 2014)

It never hurts to have good athletic genes.  Here is another player with a NBA father (Sharone Wright).  Justice Wright is a thickly built low block player who has had some coaching, as shown by her foot work in the lower key.  While the outline of her game is set, getting consistent results is still a work in progress.  Given her size, she is above average but not yet a star.  She posts hard and does not shy away from contact when going after rebounds.  Her foul shot needs to become more consistent and if possible, develop some ability to score facing the basket (some low post players struggle to do this).  Given the shortage of competent ‘bigs,’ the line should already be forming in spite of any mentioned things to improve.    

2015

Kaitlyn Duncan, 6-0 guard/forward, Banks County HS, Homer, GA (Georgia Metros North 15u Nike Elite)

Some players grow on you with additional viewings over time.  Kaitlyn Duncan would fall into that category.  Her game is that of a tall wing, still in need of some bulking and strengthening up as she is a bit on the thin side. Thanks to a long stride, she may look a bit slower than she really is.  Her game shows versatility as she will play inside or on the perimeter (her future at the next level is on the wing).  She does a lot of things (pass, think the game, handle, shoot, run) adequately and needs to stand out at one of them to secure a BCS offer. 

2016

Kobi Thornton, 6-2 foward, Randolph-Clay HS, Cuthbert, GA (Southeastern Lady Blazers Red 2014)

Just starting high school, it is pretty obvious that this trimly built athlete is very raw as to overall basketball knowledge.  She is very willing to post up in spite of having less bulk than her defender.  What big time BCS schools will like is her leaping ability and energy as a rebounder.

2018

Morgan Jones, 6-0 forward, Grace Christian Academy, Fayetteville GA (College Park Rim Rockers)

Here is a player with advanced understanding for her age, not to mention superior athleticism (lean build with long arms). How many players this age set picks? She passes and runs well and even hit a three (yes, a bit forced) as the game ended.

A word to the wise for parents…

One of the biggest problems that exists in team events is a player’s data missing entirely or even worse wearing the wrong number from what is in the coaches’ tournament information books.  Accuracy in these books is critical as the college coach do not have the time to find out that two girls decided to swap jerseys at the last moment (don’t let your players do this). 

If you are a parent reading this, be sure to get your daughter on a team soon enough so that her name and number will be accurate on the submitted roster.  Make sure the team coach submits the roster on time.  You may even want to tell the colleges that your daughter is interested in where and on what team your daughter can be found on.  Finally, make sure the team uniforms have numbers that are easy to be seen. The new ‘in thing’ (should be illegal) today is to camouflage numbers (blue on black for one) so opponents can’t scout the team via film.  The problem is these numbers can’t easily be read in person thus defeating the purpose of being at the event.  If you follow the above guidance, maybe you won’t get the evaluation you are looking for but at least your daughter has a chance to be seen on her own merits.