The Winter Series, 2022
By LaQuita Thompson
New Jersey – While most of the country was preparing and safeguarding for a very brutal winter storm, we were fighting through ice and snow to get to the Select Events Winter Series held in New Jersey. Mr. Kenneth Pannell, better known as “KP”, and his team did an excellent job of brining in some of the area’s top young girls talent. The competition was so tough that I at times forgot that it was a Middle School event. It was 19 degrees outside but 180 inside. The heat was on and the energy was spectacular. I was really impressed with the size, athleticism, and skill of these youngsters. I mean there were 6th graders who could probably make a high school team. Below is just a overview of some of the talent that stood out and I’m sure we will see them again on every level as they continue to grow with the game.
5th Grade Division– 2029
Queen City
A young dynamic team. They displayed, for their age group, decent court vision and the ability to make good smart passes. They understand what it means to compete and have the desire to win. Balanced ball-handling and shooting. Ability to get to the basket under control, they don’t shy away from contact.
Standouts: Kemoni Hardy MacKenzie Larkins
6th Grade Division – 2028
Team Take Over
A young team but their ability on the court is phenomenal. Good court awareness, tough on both ends. Once they turn up the heat it’s hard to compete against them. They can score off the dribble and on the perimeter. Defensively they dig in one on one, active hands, cause deflections and steals. They are aggressive with an uptempo pace.
Standouts: Chelsea Pratt Dallas Cooke Alanna Rodriguez Vanesa Flood McKenzie Small Auyonna Jackson
New Jersey Sparks
Another high energy team. They play aggressive basketball and are not afraid of contact. Strength is the name of their game and they have the will to win. At this age I really focus on their ability to balance basic fundamentals, and lock in on their upside. I like this team and the intangibles they displayed.
Standouts: Dianny Amaro – small but super talented with great upside. She has the ability to play up now.
Philly Belles
Their guards displayed shiftiness and craftiness with the ball. They can get to the basket and finish under control. They have the ability to shoot the ball, make strong passes, they have good court awareness. Good basic understanding of defense, push in transition, fill the lanes, move without the ball and good team work.
Standouts: Milan Harvey Melody Vaughn
7th Grade Division– 2027
Team Take Over
Again the Take Over program really develops their players from the youngsters up to high school and we clearly see it when we watch the NCAA teams now. This 7th grade is no different. They play some highly impressive basketball. They play tight, tough defense. They are quick, active with hands all over the place. Offensively they advance the ball up the court, strong to the basket, and can shoot the heck out the deep 3. The guards are good ball-handlers, they have quick strong moves off the dribble and are well coordinated. Great display of talent.
Standouts: Londyn Ferguson Dottie Eatmon Navaeh Roberson Taleiyah Smith Kaelyn Taylor Nylah Young
Lady YKS
This entire team is absolutely a joy to watch. I’ve never seen a 7th grade team so developed as this team. The twin guards Mia and Kate together are deadly, they are small and quick, they run their press defense like 2 pitbulls. Micah Ojo(5-10) is lengthy and has very effective guard skills, she can push ball through traffic, and shoot. She block shots, rebounds, and is tough on defense. The teams’ IQ is amazing. They fill the passing lanes in transition almost perfectly, share the ball, good court vision and awareness. Their ball movement and spacing in their half-court offense is superb. They attack on both ends, can finish with both hands, can also hit the big shots behind the arc. Just simply impressive, great job coaches! Super athletic with the high level of skill that translate on the court, good timing and anticipation. I love it
Standouts: Destini Collins Micah Ojo Mia Spain Kate Spain Justice Brown-Jones
Riverside Hawks
The 2 floor generals of this team, Mary and Anastasia, are super super impressive!! I say that screaming at the top of my voice. These 2 understand the concept of dribble drive and kick. The team as a whole are aggressive, quick, high energy. The PG and the SG are interchangeable guards, they are both smart with the ball, good distributers, good change of pace and direction when needed. I loved how they were able to read traps and knew how to back out of it and still convert, highly highly impressive… They can score, they’re balanced, good fundamentals as they continue to grow and get stronger.
Standouts: Mary Ganim Anastasia Bonfante
New Jersey Sparks
Showed the ability to compete. Displayed good balance, and coordination. They can handle the ball, strong, and aggressive on both ends of the court. They also did a decent job with spacing and ball movement. They are able to score, get to the rim, finish strong, hit outside buckets.
Standouts: Kayla Snyder
8th Grade Division– 2026
Team Take Over
A super explosive power team with athleticism, skill, work ethic, drive and strength. Some of this roster will probably be playing up and it’s no secret as to why that is. Jordyn Jackson is 6-1 national recognized player. She does it all, she’s a triple threat, can get to the basket with her shiftiness, has the length to finish with an extension, she rebounds and is a tough defender. Qandace Samuels (5-10) is a lengthy combo-guard, she manufactures points and hits the 3 ball like it’s a magnetic field, her length is an asset on defense. This squad has good ball-handlers, they can compete under pressure. They are scorers and can do it at all 3 levels. Uptempo pace, active, aggressive, and will dominate on both ends. Tough tough competitors all around.
Standouts: Jordyn Jackson – Very strong player with all the tools in her arsenal. Elite prospect Qandace Samuels (2027) Reneyia Pickering Labrea Carter
Team Thrill
This team has some depth and length. The guards are extremely strong, thrive with contact, can score on all 3 levels, strong ball-handlers and balanced finishers inside. Monet Edwards is a good 1vs1 guard. She has strong guard moves, knows how to attack the basket, good footwork and effective inside finishes, she’s tough to defend. Fleary Autumn is a super stud in the making. She is quick with the ball, can score, and a good floor general. This team plays tough defense, cover the passing lanes, cause deflections and steals. Their forwards and post are good protectors of the paint, block shots, rebound with a vengeance. Arianna Harris Mott(6-3) has the tools to become a power 5 player with her size and mobility. Dahni Suggs(6-1) will definitely be able to play at the next level, very athletic body build, has a exceptional defensive ability, offensively she’s still growing but its in her too box to be effective on both ends. I loved how they were also able to defend and cut off the baseline drive, remarkable for bigs. They play with high energy, and an uptempo pace.
Standouts: Fleary Autumn Monet Edwards Dahni Suggs Jacara Spencer Arianna Harris-Mott Mariah Jones
New Jersey Sparks
When I say NJ has some potent talent I mean they have some really potent talent coming up. The sparks are highly competitive. Their guards are skilled with the ball, Taylor Brown is shifty and crafty with a nice floater runner finish. They’re super quick, good footwork, vision like hawks. Rakai Williford is a 3 star player, good footwork, super quick, and can score at will she and Jezelle Banks bring size and length to the team, not to mention Banks is a 2027 so her upside is crazy if she continues to work. Balanced inside finishes, can shoot, displayed knowledge regarding angles and breaking by defenders. I loved how strong they play, and use contact to their advantage. Great team and everybody contributes.
Standouts: Taylor Brown Lexi Carnegie Kamaria Bowen Rakai Williford Jezelle Banks
Queen City
Queen City will play you out the gym. They are a “never giving up” team. They are super aggressive, digs in on defense, good court awareness and vision. They make strong passes and Jaida McClure is a crafty passer when she feels like it. They will get easy lay-ups off of deflections and steals. They are active, get buckets- especially with Janyia Cunningham on the court, and they DO NOT back down. Tough competitors.
Standouts: Brianna Carelock Jaida McClure Janyia Cunningham Kelsey Rhyne
Philly Belles
The Belles are another national program with prestigious national Alumni. This 2026 team has a good mix of athletic guards and one super star post player in Olivia Vukosa, “Big O” is what they call her. Atlee Vanesko, Ryan Carter, and Gabby Vaughn are shifty guards, they possess clean moves to get to the rim, can shoot, good ball-handlers and solid passers with good vision. I love post players, especially TRUE post players. Vukosa brings size to this squad at 6-4. She is a freak athlete, protects the paint with her intimidating size, snatches down rebounds, when given the ball on the block she can face up and score off the glass, she’s tough around the rim, mobile, she encompasses decent footwork for low post work, and I was highly highly impressed with her ability to pass. She’s perfect for pick-and-roll/pop action-drive and kick-high to low movement-pass-n-cut and so much more! This team has the capability and skill to be a fire team.
Standouts: Atlee Vanesko Ryan Carter Olivia Vukosa Gabby Vaughn
New Jersey Rise
A very intelligent team. Hard nose players in Jada Lynch and Lola Giordano. Lola is a lefty shooter that drains the 3 ball, she’s a smart player and doesn’t try to do too much but brings the tools for good execution. This team will attack you on both ends, they play hard, dig in on defense, they work together as a cohesive unit. They are super aggressive getting to the rim, can shoot the 3 ball, good passers, handle pressure, balanced and under control. Jada is extremely talented, I absolutely love her game. She is deceptively quick and strong to the basket. They brought 2 top programs down at this event! pure effort
Standouts: Jada Lynch Lola Giordano Ava Fajardo Daniela Maletsky
Fairfax Stars
A very talented team. Strong athletically body build, quick, aggressive, and skilled. They have the ability to score at will. They have size and power in Genesis Schneeberg (6-0) and Zoe Osby (6-0). With this size and guard play that they possess running a high/low set could easily dominate their opponents. This team is loaded with potential. Madison Nicholson is a dynamic guard, she can shoot the 3 ball and attack the rim, she’s quick, court vision and awareness, good off the bounce, and a tough defender. Definitely some heat on this team.
Standouts: Madison Nicholson Genesis Schneeberg Zoe Osby Alyna Rachmat-Jones
Florida Lady Huskies
The Lady Huskies came in blazing full force loaded with talent. They are a fast pace, aggressive team. Kailynn Gibson is quick and strong, handles the ball through traffic and can finish with contact. It was quite obvious that this team practices on the shooting machine because they were draining the deep 3. Taniyah Davis is a tough defender, picks pockets and turns it into buckets, she knocks down the 3 ball, deep 3 ball. Tatyana Campise-Pinkney has a strong penetration game, good 1 hand passer and hits the deep 3 ball. Jaelynn Housey is super quick, aggressive, explosive to the basket, and she’s a good passer. Good team showcase for this group
Standouts: Taniyah Davis Tatyana Campise-Pinkney Jaelynn Housey Kailynn Gibson
TeamEssence
A high energy, dynamic team that comes to kill, steal, and destroy. Alot of talent on this team. E’Miah Jones is a lefty shooter, and she’s a strong finisher in the paint. This team has a high motor, will run and gun, attack on both ends, shoot the 3 ball, pick pockets, and execute offensively. Jazmine Jones is a super athletic and skilled point guard, she is a tough competitor, can score, defend, and distribute the ball. Trinitee Thomas handles the ball in traffic, she’s another strong finisher inside and I love how she knows how to bump to create the contact and finish through the shot. That’s some next level ability right there! Chamiah Francis and Senaia Asanya bring the size and presence in the paint to the squad, you won’t be running through these 2 AT ALL down there, and I like their ability to make free-throws. That’s important for your bigs to hit, I think, because they will get fouled more often than not. Taylor McKinzy can shoot and has a good balanced floater runner, she’s good off of one leg and under control. This team will get the ball up the floor quick, defend the ball and cover the passing lanes, strong finishers inside, and can score on 3 levels. What is really impressive is not only is the team young but they have had limited practices and are just getting started. Says a great deal about the coaching staff and the director, “wink, wink”
Standouts: Trinitee Thomas Jazmine Jones E’Miah Fields Taylor McKinzy
Top NotchLady Ballers
A fully loaded young team. The potential these kids have is just amazing. I couldn’t believe they were so young. High octane, quick, can score on all 3 levels. They attack on both ends, and they are TOUGH! Very strong physically and mentally, will crash the glass for every rebound. They compete, compete, and then compete some more. They are shifty, crafty with the ball, court vision and strong passers. Great team to watch, definitely will keep them on my radar
Standouts: Ashley MacCalla Arielle Lopez Jessie Moses Dior Dobere Navi Turpin
Princess Warriors
Okay so first let me say that this team isn’t named “warriors” for nothing and having a butt load of talent come out of the DMV is NOT new. This team is a hurricane brewing so you better watch out for the destruction coming your way. Coach Geno has done a super job with these girls. They are tough, compete, very active on both ends. They will dig in the ball defensively, pick pockets, get the ball up the court, and get buckets. Jordan Speller 5-7 (2027) superior 5 star guard, she’s exciting to watch. She’s the one you want leading the pack in battle, plays hard, a high energy competitor, shares the ball, can score at will, deadly defender. She can create off the bounce like Liberace with strong inside finishes, quick with the ball and quick with her head down to the basket. Strong ball-handling and crafty passing. There’s no doubt in mind she will play at the next level and make a huge impact. She was one of the best PG’s , if not the best, I saw at this event.
Standouts: Jordan Speller
More player standouts:
Name ht. class Team
Jayla Koser 5-10 2026- A2D Elite
Kaydance Derba 5-10- 2026- MCW Starz
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