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Lillee Gustafson - LBI April Showers Recap

By Jason Wilkins, 04/17/19, 10:30AM EDT

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LBI Event Recap: April Showers Classic Part III (Ypsilanti, MI)

By Marcy Reynolds @LBIMarcy, 04/17/19, 7:30AM EDT

 

Ypsilanti, MI: LBI April Showers was host to some of the Midwest great programs, teams, and players.  Many coaches were using this early spring tournament to find and build chemistry while others just wanted their teams to be challenged.  Some players were looking to prove they belong in the upper echelon of the elite players, while others were simply looking to get better.  Directors were no doubt keeping a close eye on their program and measuring up against the competition. In all, there is no doubt after this weekend that The Mitten and other top teams in the Midwest are packing some heat and ready to go to war with the competition.

A Storm Is Brewing In The Mitten

Every year during the travel basketball season there is always a team that catches everyone attention early on and this year is no different. Well in 2019 that team is the Michigan Storm Elite 17U UAA. Led by nationally ranked wing Gabby Elliott '20 and her high school teammate PG Daija Tyson '20, the Storm breezed through the competition at the April Showers Classic by defeating Michigan Mystics Dream Team, Michigan Crossover EYBL, Midwest Takeover (OH), 1 Nation Elite UAA (MI), Michigan Mystics Showtime & Michigan Premier all by double digits to take home the Wilkins Report Super Platinum Division Championship. This team is loaded with a slew of college prospects that makes this team go. 2020 guards Cheyanne McEvans and Sanya Gregory are two of the best defenders in their class that makes it very difficult for opposing guards to get any rhythm on the offensive end, while SG Aaliyah Nye '20 is a silent weapon as she goes out there and defend multiple positions and consistently knocks down deep triples.  Chennelle King '20 and Suge Williams '20 provide depth in the backcourt, while Dashelle Fever '20 & Cianna Gloster '20 are excellent rebounders and post defenders. Not to mention the Storm was without one of the state's top prospects in Aaliyah McQueen '20 for the majority of the weekend and still didn't miss a beat. Director Jeff Taylor has put together an outstanding group that will make a lot of noise this year on the UAA Circuit this spring and summer.

2021 Kylese Strong 5’6” PG Macomb County Cougars

Point guards don’t always have to fit a specific mold in how they look and play, and Kylese Strong is most definitely one of those players. She has an innate understanding of who she is and what she’s capable of accomplishing. Strong has figured out how to use her sturdy body to shield the defender from the ball to accomplish what she needs to perform. She managed to frustrate normally dominant defenders throughout the weekend. She can also find open shooters and teammates because she sees the floor so well. The Cougars point guard is an unselfish prospect that will continue to develop her game for years to come.

2021 Lillian Gustafson 6’1” F Michigan Cagers (Selvia)

The energy that forward Lillian Gustafson played with was a breath of fresh air this weekend. I appreciated the effort in with she sprinted the floor in transition. Her rim-run game was in full effect for the Cagers. Gustafson has superior hands around the basket that enabled her to catch and finish from either side of the rim. Someone somewhere who spent the time working on interior footwork with Lillian held their head high this weekend because she knew what she was doing once the ball found her in the paint. Gustafson has a bright future for sure.

2020 Rebecca Morrish 6’5” C TC Elite

Some players are just naturally strong individuals, Rebecca Morrish of TC Elite, strikes me as one of those girls. She was unmovable from wherever she planted her two feet. Her power was felt from every player that had the unpleasant job of either guarding her or trying to score on her! She managed to gain deep post position anytime she tried and was very efficient with her shot efficiency. The combination of Rebecca’s strength and 6’5” frame makes her an extraordinary threat inside.
I look forward to seeing how she continues to develop her skill set.

2022 Lily Randgaard 5’9” G Wisconsin Lakers (Elles)

Lily managed to catch my eye while watching this WI Lakers team because of her poise in an uptempo game. This freshman played unusually poised for a freshman who is playing up. She drove when needed, took open shots when available, and defended very assertive opposing guards with ease. I watched Lily finish layups with both hands while fiesty defenders attempted to chase her down. Randgaard is a young player that will hold my attention for a long time to come.

2020 Elise Whitmoyer 6’1” F Wisconsin Lakers (Elles)

The classic old school post player is alive a well within Elise Whitmoyer. If you are around any frontcourt player for any period of time, then you know the Mikan Drill is a staple for them. Elise had great fundamentals when it came to implementing her skills and drills into her game. She ran the floor nicely and had the ability to catch on the move and finish with ease. She took those sound fundamentals to the defensive end as well, showing she could defend without fouling and finish plays with box outs and rebounds. Whitmoyer is a reliable, well-rounded player for the Wisconsin Lakers group.

2023 Grace Grocholski 5’10” G Wisconsin Lakers (Elles)

There was one word that stuck out to me as I watched Grocholski play this weekend: mature. I knew I was watching 17u bracket games, so I thought this girl was a rising senior, but what I soon realized was Grace Grocholski was a middle schooler. She played as if she belonged. This girl could do a little bit of everything; she shot the three well, finished with both hands, caught tough passes, defended without fouling-I even heard her communicating amongst her older teammates. Grace Grocholski is a very nice player, and I can’t wait to watch her again!

2021 Lamiya Woodson 6’1” F Always 100 Elite

The word “strong” gets thrown around a lot within the athletic world, but when you are throwing your opponents around like rag-dolls, then maybe you’re more than strong! Lamiya Woodson has a next level body already and the goods to go with it. Her jumping ability makes her a nightmare on the glass as she gave her team a ton of extra possessions. Woodson runs the court nicely and has great conditioning to stay out on the floor for long periods. Moving forward, look for this frontcourt player to continue to improve her skill set.

2021 Brynn Shoul-Hill 6’3” F Always 100 (Wright)

Indiana native Shoup-Hill was refreshing to watch. She is one of those girls who come to work-no fuss, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Brynn has an exceptional inside-out game with her 6’3” frame making light work of interior defenders. What I liked most about her game was her consistency from beyond the arc though. Brynn is a definite problem for defenders, but she is also a nice two-way player as well; gobbling up rebounds all weekend, and showing off her timing when blocking shots in the lane. Brynn Shoup-Hill has already made a name for herself in the Hoosier state, but I know The Mitten learned a thing or two about her this weekend as well.

2021 McKeinze Eggar 5’11” G Michigan Mystics Blackout

We all know those players, the ones who win all the sprints, who get to the gym early and give 100% all of the time; McKeinze Eggar jumps out as one of those players. I watched her easily outwork just about everyone who attempted to stay with her. Eggar has a high motor that lends to her style of play. She used her tweener-type game to exploit mismatches. Catches at the high post area with slower and less agile defenders were easy straight line drives for her, while smaller guards were posted hard and scored upon with relative ease. She never shied away from the big moments either, McKeinze managed to tie games up as well as hit go-ahead buckets several times during The LBI April Showers event this weekend.

2021 Jada Garner 5’6” PG Michigan Mystics (Blackout)

Point guard Jada Garner has to be my standout for the weekend. I absolutely loved her game! As the floor leader, she has everything you’re looking for; fantastic and yet irritating on-ball defense, a great understanding of what needs to happen on the offensive end and leadership qualities that’s hard to teach. Garner has a high motor, and she used it to push the tempo every chance she got for her Mystics team. She showed her ability to play fast without being frantic or out of sorts. When her team needed a bucket, Jada seemed to invite the contact in the paint and was able to finish around a crowd. This Mystics Blackout team has adorable pieces as a whole, but an absolute gem of a point guard in Jada Garner.

2020 Nyam Thornton 5’8” CG Michigan Crossover EYBL

Coming from the Buckeye state Nyam had a great weekend of play.  The Michigan Crossover EYBL played in a talented division and played well against all comers.  An excellent all-around guard, Thornton displayed high-level guard skills consistently during the tournament.    She handled the ball well against the press and made right decisions with the ball.  She got to the basket, distributed and hit the open shot when left alone.  Nyam and the Crossover look like they are going to very competitive this travel season.

LBI Fastbreak: A look at a few key players and their a few key attributes

  • 2021 McKenzie Hudgen - Always 100 Elite
    The hardest worker on the floor and relentless when getting to the basket.
  • 2021 Rachel Rustad - Michigan Mystics Blackout
    Post player with an incredibly soft touch on the inside as well as consistent outside shot.
  • 2021 Lola Chambers - Michigan Storm UAA Rise
    Great size and length with a very nice form on paint touches.
  • 2021 Jacquel Bronaugh - Midwest Takeover
    Determined power forward who is a definite rim protector and contributor on the offensive end as well.
  • 2025 Tanayah Porter - West Michigan Drive
    Lightning fast with unguardable speed in the full court.
  • 2025 Landen Smith - West Michigan Drive
    Great jumping ability and a devastating quick first step.
  • 2021 Rachel Nimtz - Jackson Jets Elite
    Great length with surprising agile lateral movement along with excellent catching ability.
  • 2024 Corrine Courtright - O3 Elite
    Smooth and effective on the perimeter and in the paint.
  • 2024 Emma Arico - O3 Elite
    Plays hard…all the time! She’s the engine of her team.
  • 2024 Kendall Braden - O3 Elite
    Not sure anyone in her class is as smooth and composed with the ball in her hand. Very skilled PG.