On Monday, December 30th; Jr All-Star hosted it’s first Jr High Camp, the Holiday SZN Showcase; which was a complete hit among players and parents alike! Tentatively mark your calendars for our next event, that is in the planning stages for March 1st! (email exposure@jrallstar.com to be put on our mailing list)
Monday morning gave a preview of some of the names us fans may be hearing a lot about coming up in the near future of Minnesota Girls Basketball. Some players put their stamp as standouts from the class of 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027 in the Showcase. The camp was led by Daniel Makepeace who does a fantastic job of explaining and displaying the drills and skill exercises. He makes it easy to follow, explains why and how each move will help the player and makes it enjoyable for the attendees of the camp and makes Each game had some impressive performances and some names to keep an eye on going forward.
8th Grade/Class of 2024 Game:
This game had a good amount of performances that were noticeable. The two standouts who separated themselves from the pack was Norah Danielson and Taylor Klement. Danielson was a long and athletic player that showed an array of skills. Her all-around game was on full display any time she was on the court. She hit multiple corner 3s and had impressive hops going for rebounds. Was able to slip past screens to avoid picks being set and keep the defender in front of her. No moment on the court seemed to have her phased. Taylor Klement dazzled with a quick-trigger on her jump shot. Many times had the shot launched before the defender could get set. One of the best to sell the pump-fake all day and drove past defenders multiple times with ease after losing the defender in the air. With a game with solid performances all over the court, these two seemed to rise to top the entertaining game.
Other notable performances include Avery Moeller who is a crafty leftie that displayed a smooth looking 3-point shot. Provided multiple hustle plays and won the 50/50 balls for her team. Showed a smart basketball IQ in reading defenses and leaking out for easy baskets. Read passes well and picked off a few for steals. Cecilia McNair who displayed strong rebounding anytime she was on the court. Had possessions where she secured multiple offensive rebounds and showed strength in finishing layups. Elizabeth Hendricks showed a good timing with her blocking ability getting two rather impressive ones in the game on taller opponents. Scored buckets on a couple of smooth looking drives to the basket.
Two players who were in the running for Performers of the game was Julia Thoms and Kloe Zentkowski. Both were taller players who displayed guard like skills. Thoms displayed a game that has her appear bigger in stature out on the court. Displayed a comfortability handling the ball that is not normally seen at a wing/forward position. Pulled off an awe-inspiring euro-step for a bucket on the fast break. Showed a willingness to consistently take outside jumpers. Zentkowski is a lengthy guard who has good footwork with the ball. Understood how to use her pivot foot to work around a defender and more than once finished a crafty move for a basket from 3-4 feet from the basket.
Similar to the 7th grade game, this one shows some up and coming players who we should keep an eye on as their careers continue. It will be exciting to see how players of the classes take the skills learned in this camp and continue to grow as players. Will be exciting to see them at the next camp, which is expected at this time to be in March of 2020, and see what these players look like against each other again.
All-Camp Teams:
First Team:
-Kate Holmquist-6th Grade/Class of 2026
-Tori Schlagel-7th Grade/Class of 2025
-Brooklyn Holmberg-7th Grade/Class of 2025
– Mya Karsten-7th Grade/Class of 2025
– Norah Danielson-8th Grade/Class of 2024
Second Team:
-Callie Oakland-6th Grade/Class of 2026
-Avery Moeller-8th Grade/Class of 2024
-Julia Thoms-8th Grade/Class of 2024
-Kloe Zentkowski-8th Grade/Class of 2024
-Taylor Klement-8th Grade/Class of 2024
Honorable Mention:
-Ava Brynteson-5th Grade/Class of 2027
-Annika Peper-7th Grade/Class of 2025
Performance/Player of the Camp: Tori Schlagel-7th Grade/Class of 2025
This is a plyer who instantly stood out when the camp started. She seemed to excel in all the individual drills. Her basketball IQ appears off the charts. This is a player who I expect to be a standout once she hits varsity High School basketball. The ability to seamlessly pull off post moves such as up-n-unders and pump fakes was elite level. My first thought when watching her play was that she was a natural leader. She seemed cool, calm and collected the entire camp, never once seeing her confidence wane. She likely will be a bigger guard once she hits varsity basketball and her length and shooting ability will make her a difficult matchup. This is a player bursting with potential and appears to have star quality in her future.
