EAST-COAST HALLOWEEN SHOWCASE 2023

November 9, 2023

BRONX, N.Y. – The third annual East-Coast Halloween Showcase was hosted at Harry S. Truman High School In New York City. The event was advertised as one of the top pre-winter Middles School events in the nation and it lived up to its billing. Players and teams participated from the following states: California, Arizona, Ohio, Georgia, Mass, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maine. While I personally did not get a chance to see every game, here are some of the prospects that caught my eye in 7th & 8th grade divisions.

Class of 2028

Sydney Douglass 6’5 (F) FBC Coast 2 Coast

It was easy to see why Douglas is considered the top prospect in the 2028 class. Sydney is a 6 foot 5, athletic, fluid, basket protector with ahigh IQ, Stretch four. The natural three level scoring forward did not disappoint at the showcase. She looked very comfortable & effective playing facing the rim, at such an early period in her career. I was impresses with her ability to Knock down the three-ball at a respectable %.

VIDEO LINK

Janiyah Hargrave 5’10 (G) FBC Coast 2 Coast

She may have been the sleeper on the C2C team. After four games in the Big Apple event Stevie Wonder could see she has big time game. She reminds me of a young Ariel Atkins. Smooth, versatile, efficient and a scoring guard. Attacks the defenses weakness, finishes though contact and delivers from behind the arc. Expect to see this name in many rankings soon.

VIDEO LINK

Cydney Stanfield 5’10 (G) Exodus NYC

Stanfield remind me off a more athletic version of past Exodus great Brianna Butler (Syracuse). Both are guards that can play the 1, 2 or 3 at a high level. They both are from the Philly area and can flat out play and shoot the rock. Really enjoyed watching Cydney compete, she is more of a throwback type player that plays all positions if needed and always a threat to score form anywhere. I can see her being a top prospect in her class just like Butler was throughout her career.

VIDEO LINK

Annie Gentile 5’5 PG NJ Raptors

Gentile does not pass the eyes test. But if you sit and watch her play, it is hard not to be impressed with what she brings to the table. From last time I saw her in August it looks like she grew a few inches. The crafty PG showed the ability to run her talented team and when needed she also showed the ability to score form the lead guard spot. It’s not hard to see she will be a D1 guard in a few years.

Palin Coleman 5’10 (G) Legacy

Deceptively athletic hard nose two guard. Palin, played with a bunch of 6th graders in the 8th grade division. Playing the batman role came natural to her. While she carried the scoring and rebounding load, she also did a nice job finding open teammates. High School ready frame, she finished through contact and displayed the ability to play multiple positions.

VIDEO LINK

Madison Wallace 5’6 (PG) Castle Athletics

Scrapy lead guard that can control the game. Speed, handles, heart, and ability to make plays are her calling card. Provides the ability to score the ball, but yet balances keeping teammates involved. NYC Style PG that finds a way to get into the paint.

VIDEO LINK

Sarah Nezaj 5’7 (G) Palicesade Elite

Nezaj is not your typical Rockland County hooper. Strong athletic combo-guard with a nice first step. Plays with some flair off the bounce. Shows range to the arc more of a scorer than a flat-out shooter. Finishes through contact and brings it on both ends.

VIDEO LINK

Mahagony Felix 5’9 (PG) Team Takeoff

In an event full of talented guards, she still made her mark on a bum ankle. Her calling card is her crafty ball handling and slippery ability to maneuver in the lane. As she continues to refine her perimeter game, she will position herself to be one of the top guards in her class in the state of New York.

Brielle Bennett 5’10 (W) Riverside

A long athletic built wing / guard that excelled in the open court. Showed range to the arc. Sleeper type that did a bit of everything and filled up that stat sheet. She can become a big sleeper in the class in NYC.

Zaire Hatter 5’8 (G) FBC Coast 2 Coast

Hatter, produced the viral moment of the event in transition attacking the rim. This was my first time seeing her play. During her time at the Halloween Showcase she proved to be a skilled off-guard that excelled in the open court attacking the rim. She also demonstrated the ability to play with talented players doing some of the little things needed to help her team win games as they went 4-0 over the weekend.

VIDEO LINK
Jeniyah Wood 5’8 (G) Team Takeoff

Nice looking athlete that can apply pressure for 94 feet. Plays bigger than her listed size. She played multiple positions during the event, as she continues to refine her skills sets. I can only see her stock increasing as a prospect.

Olivia Bruno-Dunn 5’8 (G) Jersey Gemz

Olivia is one half of the Bruno-Dunn twins. I’m not sure if any other kid looked like they were having as much fun as her on the court. High energy and skilled sharp shooting guard. She will be a name we hear a lot about in the future on Staten Island.

VIDEO LINK

Addy Marek 6’0 (W) Team Pennsylvania

Smooth perimeter prospect with versatility scorers’ mentality. Brings size to the backcourt and displayed range to the arc. Manufactures shots delivers in traffic and nice feel for the game.

Class of 2029

Lele Lopez 5’5 (PG) Top Notch

Combo guard with area code range. Played both in 2029 & 2023 divisions and was just as effective in both divisions. Took time playing on the ball sometimes off it was equally as effective running the teams as carrying the scoring load. This NYC PG, is the younger sister of Christ the King freshman Guard Ari Lopez.

VIDEO LINK

Leah Dukes 5’10 (G) Exodus NYC

Rochester wing played both in the 2028 & 2029 divisions. Feels like the lefty combo guard keeps growing and is an inch taller each time I see her. The game comes natural to her as a scorer. She is a three level scorers as she continues to add strength and confidence sky’s the limit.

Kaia Sutherland 5’10 (F) Empire Blue flames

Sutherland, may have been one of the few natural forward prospects at the event in her age group. She displayed a soft touch from the mid-range and has a nice feel for the game, not forcing up shots. Her frame allows her to finish through contact and I was fascinated with her ability to control a game without just scoring at such a young age.

Zahara Kibdoya -Wilson 5’9 (PG) Springfield Ballers

Kiddoya-Wilson nice strong lead guard that did a nice job distributing the ball. Was very productive from a number’s standpoint (point, assists & rebounds). Did a very nice job getting into the lane and compromising defenses over the weekend. She’s a prospect that I’m sure we will be hearing some more about in the future.

Giuliana Huaranga 5’10 (W) NJ Raptors

Every time out Giuliana continues to improve her game. I last saw her in September at NYGHoops Super 64.She was just as inpressive. The ative brings it on both ends of the floor and is not affraid to mix it up in the paint. Effecient three level scorer. Next fall she will for sure help a varsity program.

VIDEO LINK

Crystal Thomas 5’3 (PG) Riverside

PG Crystal Thomas physically looks every bit the seventh grader that she is. However, nothing about the pint size standouts game said the class of 2029. Her ability to create is a direct result of her ball handling skills, which left more than one defender looking lost.

VIDEO LINK

Amoree Williams 5’5 (PG) Exodus NYC

I have not seen all the 2029-point guards in the country. But I have not seen one better than Williams so-far. The class may not have a smoother operator than her at the offensive end. The solidly built guard does things with a effortless athleticism and has a mix tape array of moves that combine with the ability to shoot from the NBA range. She plays beyond her years.

Melody Vaughn 5’9 (G) Exodus NYC

Vaughn, did not put-up gaudy numbers during the showcase. Not because she could not, but she did what was best for the team playing up in the 2028 division. Known for her ability to shoot the ball from deep, this weekend she did more than just shoot. Playing more with the ball in her hands as a lead and guarding the top perimeter players. During the weekend I was impressed with her ability to mix it up with bigger players in the lane area. Keep an eye out for he in the future she will be a name to remember.

Olivia Breen 6’2 (F) Top Notch

I’ve heard of her prior to the event, but never seen her play prior to the showcase. Olivia Breen, participated in the East Coast Halloween showcase only on Saturday. The Maine resident played with Top Notch Lady Ballers. Trust me you will be hearing that name a lot a lot about moving forward. When she plays in the post, she demanded a double team. However, when on the perimeter she shoots the ball just as effective as a guard. Athletic, fluid, physical rim protector that provided double- double productivity.

VIDEO LINK

Alyssa Lopez 5'6 (G) Jersey Raptors 2028
Malaya Jones 5’7 (G) NJ Raptor 2028
Nala Larocca (G) Castle Athletic 2028
Adhara Blanc 5'9 (G) Palicade Eliet 2028
Sophia Feeney 5’8 (G) NJ Raptors 2028
Emma Bruno- Dunn 5’8 (G) Jersey Gemz 2028
Halle Newsum 5’10 (G) Exodus NYC 2028
Ava Britt (G) Team Sharp 2027
Keira Brescia 5’5 (PG) Rocklands Spartans 2027
Kayla Smith (G) Team Sharp 2027
Brielle Bennett 5’10 (G) Riverside 2027
Nelly Strong 5’4 (PG) Riverside 2027
Nale Malone 5’7 (G) Springfield Ballers 2027
Ariana Walker 5'5 (G) Team Pennsilvania 2030
Ava Para (G) Team Sharp 2027
Abigail Stachowicz 5’8 (G) Springfield Ballers 2027