THE SHILPA FACTOR

pictured L-R: Shilpa Tummala, Kenna McDavis

In a highly anticipated rematch between #1 (5AII) Pinnacle and #1 (5AI) St.Marys  much was at stake.  For Pinnacle it would be their right to a claim to fame, solidify themselves as not just a top notch AZ program but a chance at national recognition, recognition for their players and bragging rights.  For St. Mary's it was about pride, tradition, a standard and not slipping another spot in ESPN/Powerade FAB 50.  St.Mary's entered the season ranked as high as #7 nationally but has dropped down to #17 after their recent loss to Pinnacle.  In that first match-up Shilpa un-characteristically fouled out in the first half of play, only putting up three points for the entire game.  Being forced to sit most of the first half and eventually fouling out nullified her ability to be the impact player she is for her team and the factor her opponents have to reckon with throughout the course of the show.  That allowed Pinnacle to stifle St. Mary's offensive prowess with their popular box/diamond and one on sharp shooter Courtney Ekmark. The final score was St. Mary's 58, Pinnacle 68.

Since that first showdown, the rematch has been the talk of AZ's womens' hoops community.  St. Mary's used the forum for breast cancer awareness, calling for a "Pink Out", sported their pink warm-ups and high-glossy pink Nike 2010 Hyper Dunks.  OK, enough with the fashion status, on to the game.  Again like in the first game ShilpaTummala started the game on the bench.  This allowed Pinnacle an effective leverage on SM's. By imploring their diamond/1 and box/1 defensive set, Pinnacle was able to cut down the opportunities of Courtney Ekmark, SM's biggest scoring threat on the floor at the time.  SM's showed patience with the offense but still bewildered on how to score they took many shots that were off the mark.  Just what Pinnacle wanted to get into their transition offense.  Pinnacle quickly went up 8-2, mostly on break away lay-ups.  SM's looked a step slow, matched up in transition poorly and were getting out hustled, out rebounded.  Then entered ShilpaTummala into the game.  Within a minute she made her presence felt with consecutive 3's that tied the game.  Kenna McDavis came down on the other end and connected from long range herself, keeping Pinnacle in the game.  Then Shilpa hit her third straight 3 and quickly the fans caught fire and momentum starting swinging in SM's favor.  SM's found their offense which was allowing their press defense to become affective. When Ekmark started connecting from outside, SM's went on a scoring binge to close out the quarter 20-12.  During the 3rd quarter, SM's started to pick apart the Pinnacle defense with their passing game.  I have yet to see a high school team as patient and score off the pass as well as SM's.  SM's was finding back door cuts off pass feeds by Osahor and the Williams sisters.  SM's suffocating jump defense allowed Pinnacle to score only 7 points in the 2nd.  Numerous Pinnacle turnovers and SM's efficiency gave SM's the upper hand in terms of possession and they converted for 20 points of their own in the 2nd.  SM's took a dominant 40-19 lead into intermission.  

SM's continued their torrid pace into the the 3rd.  Walton's presence inside was keeping drivers at bay and limited Pinnacles second chances.  Pinnacle's only highlight in the half was Weise's relentless attack of the basket that got her to the charity stripe a few times and to the basket on an un-characteristic SM's lack of help defense.  Kenna McDavis was an efficient 2-3 from 3 and showed ability to pull up off the dribble but Pinnacle's in-ability to take care of the ball at times hand-cuffed their offensive weapons.

By the first minute of the 4thQ SM's had gained a 29 point advantage 66-37 and Pinnacle's reserves were entering the game to finish it off.  SM's would eventually coast to a 69-49 victory.  The turning point can be isolated way back in the first quarter when Shilpa entered the game and knocked down 3 consecutive 3's in just three minutes of her being on the floor.  She finished the first half with 16 points and 25 points for the game, always a hard item for opponents to account for when she is doing it like she so often does.  The difference in the game, the X factor, equals the "THE SHILPA FACTOR".  Many girls stepped up and showed their worth and on any given night a dozen or so of the players that played this night can have big games but the night belonged to St. Mary's and the MVP was Shilpa Tummala.

Nike TOC (Joe Smith) Individual Awards

• Darling of the Tournament - Alexis Riley-Perry (2011 Brea Olinda): There was not a player on the court that played with us much heart and determination as Lexy Perry. This young lady has what it takes. She is tenacious, determined, and resolvent. In her her words, she is "the best unsigned guard in the country." One couldn't help but cheer for her.
• Defensive Player - Tajanae Winston (2011 LB Poly): After Kaleena Lewis erupted for 25 first half points, Winston drew the assignment of stopping Lewis. She is long, athletic, anticipates, and plays passing lanes tremendously. In the second half of the Mater Dei and LB Poly game she seemed to be two steps ahead of anything Mater Dei was doing.
• Impact Player - Justine Hartman (2011 Brea Olinda): Her presence on the floor draws so much attention she really opens things up for her teammates. When she is presented with the ball either on the low block or high post she makes good things happen. She is a superb passer, a confident scorer, and poised leader.
• Best Player - Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (2011 Mater Dei): Is no doubt the best player in the country. There is nothing to argue. She has a refined skill set, basketball smarts, and big time play. She is at a whole different level than most. She is one of those elite players that will go on to do great things in women's basketball.
• Most Exciting - Ariya Crook-Williams (2011 LB Polly): Crafty and quick, Ariya will leave defenders stuck like in mudd with her AI like crossovers and in&out move. She knows how to get in the paint and make plays. She is listed at 5'7 which might be a little of an exageration. She reminds me of my favorite female basketball player, Dymond Simon.
• Board Queen - Jeanier Olukemi (2012 Brea Olinda): 6', long and extremely athletic, Jeanier jumps twice before other 6fters ever leave the ground, and twice as high. She anticipates well and has great timing catching the ball at highest point. She has great hands and secures the ball well.
• Most Athletic - Madison Cable (2011 Mt. Lebanon): She combines speed, leaping ability, hand-eye coordination, and balance as good as the best. She can cuts and drives to the basket with such ease and has great body control. Is able to get around help defenders with the step, dribble or in the air to finish. Shoots well, dribbles dexterously.
• Toughest Player - Bria Smith (2011 Christ The King): Who doesn't like to watch this young lady play. When she is on the take, it is fierce, aggressive, powerful. At 5'10, strong shoulders and muscular build, she gets everything out of it. She doesn't just box players out she moves them and if your thinking about tying her up with the ball, think again. I've never seen her lose a tie up, if she even gets tied up.
• Best Pure Shooter - Courtney Ekmark (2014 St.Marys az): With a 6' long frame, she can get shots off. She spots up well, knows how to set her feet and has a great release and finish. Opponents need to know where she is at all times. Is a high percentage free throw shooter.
• Hustle Award - Kennedy Cattenhead (2013 Bollingbrook): You don't have to tell her to get on the ball. I seen her fully lay out more than a couple times diving for a loose ball. She is a great defender and sprints every possession. She has a great demeanor towards working hard.
• Play Maker - Lauren Chase (2011 Riverdale Baptist): Can't take your eyes off the floor for a minute because you never know when your going to miss something spectacular. Whether it's a nifty no look pass, ankle breaking move or acrobatic finish, Lauren has the craft for excitement.
• The Leader - Ariel Massengale (2011 Bollingbrook): What sets Ariel apart from the rest of the PG's in America is her ability to lead. She has a much needed understanding of the game to be such a leader. She controls game tempo. She has the utmost respect of her teammates. She has the utmost respect for her teammates. She knows and understands her players, where to get them the ball, whether their hot or how to get them hot. She is a floor general.

First Team All-Tournament Selection as reported by me on http://www.shecanplay.org/index.php/topic,1514.msg2765.html#msg2765

Nike TOC Off Day

Brea Olinda's Chanelle Di Croce, Justine Hartman, Lexy Perry, Jeanier Olukemi, Perry Arin

Bollingbrook's Ariel Massengale, Morgan Tuck, Nia Moore, Annaya Moore

Mater Dei's Khalia Lark, Kaija Powell, Jordan Adams, Kaleena Lewis, KiKi Alofaituli

Taking in an off day @ Nike TOC. Chilling with the some of the top players in the country. Evaluations and tournament team selections coming at the conclusion of 1st session 12/22/10.
updates, player performance evals and profiles can be found @ www.shecanplay.org

WCFS "Super Pools" Awards/MVP's

West Coast Fall Showcase "SUPER POOLS" Individual Awards, MVP's & All Tournament Teams.

By: Jeff Meadows

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

The “SUPER POOLS” were full of talented players, good teams, big crowds & great match ups. With all of the great basketball that was played you know I had to give out my Hoops Report, West Coast Fall Showcase “SUPER POOL” INDIVIDUAL AWARDS.



TOP OUTSIDE SHOOTER: Austin West 6’3 (W) True Ballerz (2014)

TOP REBOUNDER/POST PLAYER: Chaz Mack 6’6 (F) Tucson Heat #3 (2014)

TOP DEFENDER: Rolando Rhymes 5’10 (PG) AZ STARS 15U (2014)

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Dorian Pickens 6’5 (W) AZ STARS 15U (2014)

TOP PLAYMAKER: Alasan Turay 5’9 (PG) SWS Academy (2014)

SURPRISE PLAYER: Pablo Rivas 6’6 (F) AZ Stars 15U (2014)

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Will Donovan 6’1 (CG) AZ FUTURE 16U (2014)


THE “SUPER POOLS” MVP’s.

Each of the four (4) pools was very competitive & because of that, I decided to award an MVP to the top player(s) in each pool. Below are the MVP’s for each of the four (4) pools in the 1st Annual Hoops Report West Coast Fall Showcase, enjoy!

POOL A MVP(s): Rolando Rhymes 5’10 (PG) AZ STARS 15U (2014), Roberto Reyes 6’3 (W) AZ STARS 15U (2014) & Dorian Pickens 6’5 (W) AZ Stars 15U (2014)

POOL B MVP: Eddie Little 5’10 (PG) AZ FUTURE 16U

POOL C MVP(s): Travis Jefferies 6’4 (G) Tucson Heat #3 (2012), Alec Sonderman 6’4 (F) Tucson Heat #3 (2012) & Brendon Sharky 6’4 (F) Tucson Heat #3 (2012)

POOL D MVP(s): Khari Holloway 6’2 (CG) True Ballerz (2013), Marcus Ramirez 6’3 (W) True Ballerz (2012) & Chris Davis 6’6 (F) True Ballerz (2014)



HOOPS REPORT WEST COAST FALL SHOWCASE “SUPER POOLS” ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM/TOP 40.

Alright everyone, what you’ve all been waiting for the West Coast Fall showcase “SUPER POOLS” All-Tournament team/Top 40, enjoy! (In height order).

Chris IIunga 5'4 (PG) K-9 UNIT (2012)

DeQwandre Jones 5’8 (PG) K-9 UNIT (2013)

Alasan Turay 5’9 (PG) SWS Academy (2014)

Rolando Rhymes 5’10 (PG) AZ STARS 15U (2014)

Eddie Little 5’10 (PG) AZ FUTURE 16U (2013)

Cole Sterns 5’10 (PG) Tucson Heat #4 (2014)

Alex Irke 5’11 (G) BTB Thunder #2 (2014)

Devante Walker 5’11 (G) Blue Devils (Free Agent Team) 2013

Max Melder 6’0 (G) Tucson Heat #4 (2014)

Khalid O’Neal 6’0 (G) K-9 UNIT (2013)

Will Donovan 6’1 (G) AZ FUTURE 16U (2014)

Dominique Branscumb 6’1 (CG) True Ballerz (2011)

Dalton Groenewold 6’1 (W) TEAM P.R.E.P. (2014)

Romano Bottini 6’1 (G) Oregon St. (Free Agent Team) (2014)

Terrence Johnson 6’1 (G) TEAM P.R.E.P. (2015)

Conor Triplett 6’2 (F) Orgeon St. (Free Agent Team) (2014)

Dakota Kordsieman 6’2 (W) TEAM P.R.E.P. (2015)

Antonio Romero 6’2 (W) TEAM P.R.E.P. (2014)

Richard Palmer 6'2 (F) K-9 UNIT (2013)

Frankie Trujillo 6’2 (W) TEAM P.R.E.P. (2015)

Khari Holloway 6’2 (CG) True Ballerz (2013)

Roberto Reyes 6’3 (W) AZ STARS 15U (2014)

Marcus Ramirez 6'3 (W) True Ballerz (2013)

Jaylyn Juan 6’3 (W) TEAM P.R.E.P. (2015)

Austin West 6’3 (W) True Ballerz (2014)

Ahmad Levon 6’4 (F) AZ STARS 15U (2013)

Travis Jefferies 6’4 (G) Tucson Heat #3 (2012)

Koa Chi DU 6’4 (F) TEAM P.R.E.P. (2015)

Alec Sonderman 6’4 (F) Tucson Heat #3 (2012)

Amadou Gueye 6’4 (F) SWS Academy (2014)

Brendon Sharky 6’4 (F) Tucson Heat #3 (2012)

Cody March 6’4 (F) AZ FUTURE 16U (2013)

Dorian Pickens 6’5 (W) AZ STARS 15U (2014)

Zylan Cheetman 6’6 (W) AZ STARS 15U (2014)

Pablo Rivas 6’6 (F) AZ Stars 15U (2014)

Chaz Mack 6’6 (F) Tucson Heat #3 (2014)

Chris Davis 6’6 (F) True Ballerz (2014)

Mark Andrews 6’6 (F) AZ STARS 15U (2014)

Connor McDougal 6’6 (F) BTB Thunder #2 (2014)

Sam Jones 6'6 (W) AZ STARS 15U (2014)

KJ Hoffman 6’8 (PF) BTB Thunder #2 (2012)



There was our 1st Annual West Coast Fall Showcase “SUPER POOLS” All-Tournament team. Below is a listing of our West Coast Fall Showcase “SUPER POOLS” Best of the Rest (30 players in height order).



Conner Stark 5’2 (PG) Blue Devils (Free Agent Team) (2014)

Brandon Kimber 5’5 (G) K-9 UNIT (2013)

Logan Dubek 5’5 (PG) Oregon St. (Free Agent Team) (2014)

Thomas Wabaunsee 5’6 (PG) TEAM P.R.E.P. (2016)

Nick Tamponi 5’8 (PG) BTB Thunder #2 (2011)

Diquan Hubbard 5’8 (PG) K-9 Unit (2013)

Deron Kyle 5’8 (PG) AZ STARS 15U (2014)

Gino Littles 5’8 (PG) AZ STARS 15U (2014)

Jacob Allenspach 5’8 (PG) BTB Thunder #2 (2013)

Justin Dombrowski 5’8 (PG) AZ FUTURE 16U (2013)

Ronnie Ramirez 5’9 (PG) SWS Academy (2014)

Adam Zubakoff 5’9 (PG) True Ballerz (2013)

Kaleb Maguet 5’9 (PG) Oregon St. (Free Agent Team) (2013)

Corbin Smith 6’1 (W) Oregon St (Free Agent Team) (2011)

Trey Ingram 5’9 (PG) AZ FUTURE 16U (2014)

Mike Duffy 5’10 (PG) Tucson Heat #3 (2012)

Jordan Gorman 5’10 (PG) Tucson Heat #3 (2012)

Daniel Lugo 5’10 (G) Tucson Heat #3 (2012)

Andrew Dohm 5’10 (G) Tucson Heat #3 (2012)

Tyler Dilyard 5’10 (PG) AZ FUTURE 16U (2012)

Uno Ekpoh 5’10 (PG) AZ FUTURE 16U (2014)

Juan Rascon 5’11 (W) TEAM P.R.E.P. (2015)

Jonathan Panfil 5’11 (G) Blue Devils (Free Agent Team) (2014)

Bailey Harn 6’0 (G) Tucson Heat #5 (2014)

Tyler Perlberg 6’0 (G) Tucson Heat #5 (2014)

Josh Shell 6’0 (G) Tucson Heat #5 (2014)

Joshua Isaacs 6’1 (G) Blue Devils (Free Agent Team) (2013)

Amon Schenk 6'2 (G) Blue Devils (Free Agent Team) (2012)

Adonis Railing 6’4 (F) True Ballerz (2013)

Bryce Frintner 6’4 (F) AZ FUTURE 16U (2013)



West Coast Fall Showcase “SUPER POOLS” OUTRO

The West Coast Fall Showcase was an excellent event; it was full of talented players & very good, competitive teams that came ready to play all weekend long. This event which had 28 teams & over 280 players, is sure to grow even more next year so for all of you talented prospects out there that feel the need to play with & against top level competition & receive NATIONAL EXPOSURE make sure you get registered up for this one, you don’t want to miss out of this TOP LEVEL EVENT. I had given thought to providing you, the fan, prospect & or parent with my unique PLAYER PROFILES but I decided not to for the simple fact that the second week of November, I will be posting my nationally renown Arizona Preseason All-State Teams in the following classes: 2011-2014, regardless of class & a top 100 regardless class rankings. I HOPE ALL OF OUR WWW.HOOPSREPORT.COM frequent readers enjoyed my SECOND TO NONE EVENT REPORTS & PLAYER LISTINGS, INDIVIDUAL AWARDS & OUR POST GAME RECAPS just as I promised. Make sure you stay logged on to www.hoopsreport.com for the recap to the West Coast Fall Showcase “PLATINUM BRACKET”, believe me, YOU DEFINITELY DON’T WANT TO MISS THAT.