Diamonds State Classic 2017

 
Wilmington, DE- The 27 ^th annual Diamond State Classic showcased 20 teams from NY, CA, OH, PA, NJ, MD and DE. NYGHoops Report got a chance to see 16 of the 20 teams play on the first day. These are some of the standouts from day one.
 
 
Top Performers
 
Brooke Denetre 6’03 W (Mater Dei HS, CA 2021)
 
Superb size, agility and skill on the perimeter. Showed some ability to break down the defense as well as dig out some tough rebounds when needed. Can’t see this kid not play in a BCS uniform in the next 4 years. She finished the day with 14 points.
 
Khylee Pepe 6’00 W/F (Mater Dei HS, CA 2021)
 
Pepe & Denetre are the best combination of 2021 forwards I’ve seen so far around the country. They also complement each other well. Pepe has a thick powerful frame that allow her play some around the rim, great hands and pounds the boards. Also showed range on her shot connecting on a three-point shot. She finished the day with 19 points.
 
Lauren Park-Lane 5’05 PG (Sanford HS, DE 2019)
 
First thing you notice with this young prospect is the smile on her face.  But as soon as the action starts its more like she is laughing at you the way she is controlling the action. Strong ball handler that excelled in getting pass or breaking down the defender for scoring opportunities or distribution to teammates. She finished the day with 22 points.
 
Semaj Smith 6’04 P (St. Anthony HS, CA 2018) Arizona
 
As soon as she hits the court she is hard to miss, but when she starts warming-up; you can tell right away she is a prospect not a suspect. Offensively she displayed consistent ability to knock down shots 5-10 feet from the rim. Also, displayed the ability to get up and down the court effortlessly. Defensively she protected the basket as you would expect, but her instincts and quickness allowed her to be dependable as help side defender. She finished the game with 15 points, many blocks & rebounds.  
 
 
Ryann Evans 5’10 G (Archbishop Spalding HS, MD 2019)
 
Versatile athletic strong wing that competed every possession. She used her swift first step to get into the lane all night long. Her motor allowed her to be super productive in all aspects of the game that go beyond traditional statistics.
 
 
Lucy Thomas 6’00 F (St. Rose HS, NJ 2018) Monmouth
 
Unofficially I can declare she finished with a double, double. The score keeper only kept taps on the points (16). But anything that came off the rim, if she touched it she kept possession of it. Being her team’s primary physical interior player, you would not expect her to have such perimeter shooting touch. She finished the high with two three pointers.
 
 
Allie Kubeck 6’00 F (Sanford HS, DE 2020)
 
Enjoyed watching her play against 6 foot 4, 2018 Semaj Smith (Arizona). She used her toughness and IQ. The agile six-footer stepped out at times to shoot the three-point shot. When playing around the rim she created fouls a few times but found a way to get her shots off. Finishing the game with 18 points.
 
 
 
Madison Green 5’08 G (Pickerington Central HS, OH 2019)
 
Nice built combo and shots off bounce displayed range to the arc.
Slippery attacking the rim, shows ability to score amongst the bigs, displayed shiftiness, played with confidence, and looked more comfortable playing off the ball.
 
Raven Pitts 5’06 PG (ST Joseph HS, NY 2018) Wagner
 
Not a household name, but she never fails to impress with her approach to the game. The Wagner College signee will most likely be a PG at the next level.  On her HS team she plays on/off the ball and on the wing.  She provided perimeter defense, rebounding and a consistent scoring punch for team.
`
Other top Performers

Mikayla Markham 5'07 PG (ST Rose HS, NJ 2018) Columbia 
Alyssa Frescas 5'08 G (Mater Dei HS, CA 2021)
Emma Robert 6'02 P  (Mater Dei HS, CA 2021) Nevada 
Olivia Tucker 5'08 G (Sanford HS, DE 2019)
Jada Tate 6'00 F (Pickerington Central HS 2019)  
Maliya Perry 6'00 W (Pickerington Central HS 2019) Auburn 
Kyla Whitehead 6'02 F (Pickerington Central HS 2018) Dayton 

Notable Unsigned Seniors
 
Taysha Bender 5’07 G (Archbishop Spalding HS, MD 2018)
Natalie Shpegel 5’08 G (St. Anthony HS, CA 2018)
Bella Julia 5’10 G (Padua Academy, DE 2018)
Damia Jordan 6’00 F (ST. Joseph HS, NY 2018)
Adrian Crockwell 5’09 G (Pickerington Central HS, 2018)
Taysha Bender 5’07 G (Archbishop Spalding HS, MD 2018)