UPDATE: NICHEL TAMPA

NICHEL TAMPA (CLASS OF 2017)

Gthingbasketball: How was the summer season and what was  your accomplishments ?

Nichel: The summer season was really fun. We (FBC SE Elite - 2017) played our first exposure tournament in July (Fila National) in the top 17- under division and finished 3rd! From that tournament onward, dozens of colleges followed us to the rest of the tournaments in July. We won the 15-under division of the last  tournament we played in versus the NYC Gauchos 2015.

Gthingbasketball: Tell Gthing and the basketball world the places and tournaments your AAU team attended ? What was the toughest competition ?

Nichel: We started out in Atlanta at the Fila Nationals, in then to the Battle in the Boro in Nashville, TN. The 2nd half of July took us to the Battle of Bayou in New Orleans, and then finish at the Garden City Classic in Augusta, SC. By far the toughest competition was at the Fila Nationals, as we played in the top 17- Under division. My team is all 2017, with two 2018's. We fell short at the Boro playing 14U, but finish 2nd in the top 2015 division in New Orleans and won the 2015 division in Augusta, Ga.

Gthingbasketball: What is your current class ranking, in how do you feel about it ?

Nichel: According to All-Star girl's Report, I am currently ranked #4 nationally and was #3 when I was first interview by Gthing. I would like to be higher, but it's all someones opinion. All I can do is continue to work on my game and get stronger and better. In this ranking, I'm still the #2 point guard, so that's a good sign.

Gthingbasketball: Have you received any letters from any colleges and if so from were ?

Nichel: Outside of my scholarship offers from the University of South Carolina and the University of South Florida I have letters from approximately 40 schools. Most notably are Notre Dame, Ohio St, Miami, LSU, Louisville, UCLA, Stanford, Penn St.

Gthingbasketball: What high school will you be attending and why ?

Nichel: I will be attending Saint Francis High School, because it provides me with the right balance of great education and great basketball exposure. For education they are a private school that does a great job of preparing you to receive a college education. Their girl's team also won the Class A State Championship last year and over the past couple of years, they've had several girls go to or verbally commit major division 1 schools. Two of my FBC teammates are also going to Saint Francis, so it will be a really nice freshman class.

Gthingbasketball: What position will you be playing and do you think you'll be starting ?

Nichel: I will primarily play shooting guard, but will get time at point. We have 3 great senior guards so most likely won't start. However, we played together all of this past June in high school leagues and I played a lot, so I'll get plenty of time.

CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE ON TAMPA AND SOME OF HER GEORGIA FBC TEAMMATES.

UPDATE: AMAYLA (MAY- MAY) SHARIF

May-May Sharif (Class of 2019)

Gthing: So May-May tell Gthingbasketball and all of the followers how your AAU season went this year ?

May-May: My AAU season went pretty good although I would have liked for our team to have done better at the Nationals.

Gthing: How was the Nationals for you and the Comets team this year ?

May-May: Coming off the # 8 National ranking last year, we didn't do as I expected, but yet we still done good considering we were undersized.

Gthing: Did y'all place, in what was Comets record down there ?

May-May: We didn't place at all this year, We ended up with a 3-3 record. All the teams we played had some really big bigs, so my teammates and I done a good job overall.

Gthing: Do you think that playing other positions, rather than your true one, has help your game ?

May-May: Yes I do, playing the 3, 4, & 5 has help my game because it allowed me to defend bigger players and at the same time learn to be able to get to the basket and get my shots off over bigger defenders.

Gthing: What can Gthingbasketball aspect from May- May next AAU season ? 

May-May: Gthingbasketball can expect me to play more of the point guard and the 2 guard position. I didn't get the opportunity this AAU season but normally I play the 1 or 2. Next year I'm looking forward to playing the point.

Gthing: In what part of your game will you be working on during the off season ?

May-May: I definitely will be working on my jump shot, my father says he is going to have me go to the shooting clinics and making sure I get a lot of shots up during the off season. Also, I will always continue to work on my ball handling skills and defense.

SACRIFICES MUSLIMS MAKE DURING THE MONTH OF RAMADAN JUST TO PLAY BASKETBALL.
 

AYANNA JONES (CLASS OF 2017)
 

Gthing: Let the basketball world know how difficult it is being muslim and playing basketball at the same time ?

 

Yea-Yea: The difference is since I'm a young muslimah, I have to cover up my body. So when I play basketball I wear a long sleeve shirt and tights under my uniform, I also have to pray fives time a day.

 

Gthing: How difficult is it during the month of Ramadan to fast and still play basketball ?

 

 

Yea-Yea: I wouldn't not say it's difficult, I prepare myself the night before the game by eating plenty of protein and drinking lots of fluids. I also have to know my limits.

 

 

Gthing: Tell the basketball world, and other Gthingbasketball  followers, who don't know what Ramadan is, explain it to them ?


Yea-Yea: Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. This is when the 1st verses of the Quran was revealed to the prophet Muhammad (Saw). All Muslim abstain from food, drinks, and other activities, from dawn to dusk for 29-30 days. When Ramadan ends we have a feast called Eid Al fitr, there is a lot of food and gifts at the Eid. I really enjoy the Eid.


Gthing: How did it feel playing up this year for your AAU team ?


Yea-Yea: It was hard at first, being one of the two eighth graders on a tenth grade team, but the more games We played the easier it became.


Gthing: What did you learn from it ? And if any, did it help you.


Yea-Yea: I learned how to think smarter, about the choices I make while on the court and off, I believe it prepared me for a higher level of basketball.


Gthing: The rumors are that you will be attending Mainland Regional H.S. in Somers Point, N.J. next year, Why the choice school ?

Yea-Yea: Mainland is a blue ribbon high school, and education comes first.

PHILADELPHIA BELLES TAKE OVER SHY-TOWN:

( L - R )  Lauren Ross, Danielle Patterson, Jaala Henry

Coming fresh off a undefeated tournament in Hampton,VA at the Boo Williams 15U Invitational, the Belles had no time to celebrate there hardware, the only thing they had time for was to just grab a fresh change of clothes so they could get right back on the road in head to the Mid-West. The Belles next stop was the Nike Invitational Tournament which was held in Chicago,IL. in there to the Belles rang the bells of all the competition that came there way. They went 6-0 in the tournament, to bring home the Chip, they are a total of 11-0 in the last two tournaments, in so far this year there coach has played them up in the 15U Division which is great exposure for his team since they are a bunch of 6 Thur 8 graders.

PHILADELPHIA COMETS: KELLY JEKOT

KELLY JEKOT (CLASS OF 2016)

 

Kelly has been playing great ball all season for the Philly Comets, the 6'0 point guard has shown this year why her name keeps buzzing on the AAU circuit. She made it to the final cut for the USA Basketball Women's U16 Team, out of 124 players she was one of the remaining hopeful's. Kelly lead her Cumberland Valley Team to the PIAA Class AAAA finals, the second leading scorer on the team at 16.2 and just about four rebounds a game is why Jekot name is making waves across the country.

NEW JERSEY COMETS DUO THREAT (CLASS OF 2016)

                     Maggie McIntrye                        Mary-Kate Gedaka     

This Duo Threat has the inside in outside game that every AAU and High School team would love to have, these two girls have been playing together since elementary school and they have been putting up descent numbers while together. Maggie McIntrye is a point guard who likes to control the offense, her basketball IQ allows her to do things an see things that most guards can't, she has a jump shot that she can knock down from time to time in big games. Mary-Kate has improve her game since last year, when Gthing first spotted her down in Lakewood,NJ. she was a post player with a ton of moves near the basket. So far this year Gedaka has shown some ball handling skills even playing point at different times of the game, Mary-Kate is the total package and should be able to take the Comets and Gloucester Catholic High School (NJ) team very far.

                         

AYANNA MAZYCK: PHILLY FREEDOM

AYANNA MAZYCK (CLASS OF 2017)

A wing player who can and loves to get up in down the court, this girl has the ability to play mutable positions. Ayanna is very quick, she is hard to stop while in the open court because of her size and ball handling skills. Mazyck likes to attack the basket, she has a well enough jump shot which should help her out on the next level, Ayanna can create her own shot which is good for a eighth grader.

 

 

JAHNIECE JAFFE: IN THE SPOTLIGHT

 

JAHNIECE JAFFE (CLASS OF 2014)

 

( DM PANTHERS )

 

Up in Hershey, PA last weekend Jahniece was dropping buckets like it was raining, she displayed her talent to the college coaches and the on going spectators that were there. The 5'1 point guard showed a lot of heart as usual, while playing against bigger and stronger guards. DM Panthers went 4-1 in the tournament, they got knock out by the Stings of Baltimore, MD.

 

 

RECAP: PHILLY COMET'S TOURNAMENT JUNE 2013.

 

SYDNEY WAGNER (CLASS OF 2017) PHILLY FREEDOM

 

Sydney has a lot of swag in her game, she is a floor general, and she knows how to do play that very well. Wagner plays the point guard position but has the ability to play the two guard, she has a well enough mid-range game for a 8th grader. Wagner can play up tempo and can run with the best of them, her team went 4-1 in the tournament.

 

Name: Amber Gemer

 

Team: Comets

 

Position: Guard

 

Class: 2019

 

State: PA

Profile: Gemer is a crafty point guard, she has been running the offense for the Comets the past two seasons. Amber loves to control the offense by setting up her other teammates and getting everyone involved, she has a nice handle and can use either hand while pressure. Amber doesn't take a lot of shot's, but she can make them when necessary.
 

 

Name: Cilah Womack

 

Team: Philly Freedom

 

Position: Wing

 

Class: 2017

 

State: PA

 

Profile: Wing player who can also play the guard position, she loves to play at a fast pace. Womack likes to attack the basket with her speed, she is a good finisher around the rim. Cilah is a great defender, and can just about guard any position, can shoot the long ball or short ball from anywhere.

 

 

JULIE CARNEY: PHILADELPHIA COMETS

 

JULIE CARNEY (CLASS OF 2017)

 

At the Comets Tournament 2 weeks ago Julie finally had her breakout game, with two starter's out with injury Julie took full advantage of her time while on the court. She has a all round game, but her best thing is shooting the rock, Carney plays with no fear, attack the basket at time, shooting from anywhere on the court. Now that Julie is on the Gthing radar, let's see if she can keep up the momentum going down to the Junior Nationals.

AMAYLA SHARIF: PHILADELPHIA COMETS

AMAYLA SHARIF (CLASS OF 2019)

May is the spark plug for her Comets team, her game has change since the last time GThing seen her play in 2012. She has pick her game up since the departure of her former teammate Lauren Ross who is now with the Philadelphia Belles, Amayla has a all round game, put her strongest asset is attacking the basket, she is very athletic and has tremendous speed, Sharif can get up in down the Court like a deer. Aggressive on defense which helps her on offense, because of her good hands and eyes she gets a lot of steals. 

BRITTANY GARNER: PHILLY FREEDOM 

BRITTANY GARNER (CLASS OF 2018)

The 6'3 7th grader, that's right 7th grader, has everything to look forward too in the near future. She can play   everybody, this isn't someone with just height and size, she can actually put the ball in basket. Brittany has low post moves and a bunch of drop steps that she uses during games to help her get to the basket with ease. Garner moves very well up in down the court which makes things a lot easier for her while playing against up tempo teams, her team when 4-1 in the Philadelphia Comets Tournament June 8 in PA.

RECAP: PENN JERSEY TOURNAMENT AT RICHARD STOCKTON STATE COLLEGE IN GALLOWAY,NJ.

Sara Peretti (Class of 2019) Lady Starz

All eye's were on Sara after this tournament, the 5"10 6th grader showed why she will be talk about for a few years. Peretti is fundamentally sounded and does a lot of things to perfection, she runs floor well, she can rebound and knows how to use her long frame. Sara offensive ability's are great, she can put the ball in the basket with some low post moves, she is very coachable, which should help her in the near future.

Other Performers

Name: Alyvia Essex

Team: DM Panthers

Class: 2016

Position: Forward

State: NJ

Profile: Very athletic girl who can play motable positions, she has a nice stroke and can drain the long ball. Essex is quiet on the court, but not on defensive, she is very aggressive an has a mean  streak.

Name: Alexis Harris

Team: DM Panthers

Class: 2015 

Position: Combo Guard

State: NJ

Profile: Smoove guard who's has been working her way back from injury, she has all of the potential to be a great guard. Alexis has a nice mid-range game and long range game, she has a ton of moves, an one thing about Harris, is that when she's hot she's hot.

Name: Jahniece Jaffe

Team: DM Panthers

Class: 2014 

Position: Guard

State: NJ

Profile: Small but very tough, she put up good numbers during the Penn Jersey Tournament. Jahniece has a nice shot, she can easily knock down ten and twelve footers, Jaffe likes to play bigger than her size.

IMAGE PROFILE: AYANNA JONES (DM PANTHERS)


Name: Ayanna Jones

Team: DM Panthers

Class: 2017

Position: Guard

State: NJ

Event: Penn Jersey Tournament

Profile: Ayanna is a big guard, who has enough size to play the three spot. She is a tremendous defender, who can guard someone from the one to the four position. Jones is very aggressive on both sides of the ball, she likes to attack no matter if it's on offense or defense, she plays up most of the time and it has paid off.

IMAGE PROFILE: LAJERAH WRIGHT ( DM PANTHERS)

Name: Lajerah Wright

Team: DM Panthers

Class: 2016

State: NJ

Position: Combo Guard

Event: PENN JERSEY TOURNAMENT

Profile: A Skylar Diggins type player,who loves to play up tempo. Wright loves playing in the open court, were she can easily score on fast break points because of her speed, Lajerah can attack the basket when she has too, has a mid-range game but looks more comfortable running the point.

IMAGE PROFILE: FATIMAH BLACKWELL (DM PANTHERS)

Name: Fatimah Blackwell

Team: DM Panthers

Position: Center

Class: 2016

State: NJ

Event: PENN JERSEY TOURNAMENT

Profile: The 6'2 Blackwell is a true center who can get up in down the court, she has great foot work to go along with her size. Fatimah can rebound very well which comes easy most of the time because of her strength and size, this past weekend at Penn Jersey Tounament, Fatimah had over 15 block shots, Gthing lost count after that, one thing we do know it was definitely a block party.

MARISSA CAMAROTA

Marissa Camarota (Class of 2017) DM Panthers

Marissa has natural talent, or should we just say that she is raw at the point guard position. She a combo guard who loves to attack the basket, Camarota is very aggressive on offense and defense. Marissa has a well enough handle and mid-range jump shot that should help her at the next level, if she is serious about playing the game.



MADISON BRESTLE
 

Madison Brestle (Class of 2020) South Jersey Starz
 

This is one of the most surprises that Gthing has seen so far this year, Meet Madison Brestle from Margate,NJ. She is only 4'0 tall, but plays way much bigger than that. At the Penn Jersey Tournament this past weekend Madsion put on a show, with all of her flashy moves and ball handling skills. She is very fast, an can push the ball up in down the court in a matter of seconds. Brestle can disrupt a game very easily because of her quickness and relentless defense she loves to play. Most teams underestimate her because of her small size, but Gthing is her to let you know that she is a real baller.



 

 

LAUREN "L-BOOGIE" ROSS

 

Lauren Ross (Class of 2019) Philly Belles

 

Lauren is one of the top 6th graders in the Class of 2019 in the state of Pennsylvania. Ross plays the one and two position. She could possibility windup playing the three if she gets taller, in which I'm sure she will. L-Boogie has been playing up on the Philadelphia Belles 8th grade team this year, and starts too. She has been doing fine playing on this level of competition with the Belles. This team has played in the National spotlight a few times this year, and they done a fine job. College recruits have been asking about Boogie on the AAU circuit and have been sending interest letters to the young up in coming Superstar. She has all the tools necessary to be a great high school and college player, I'm sure the world will fined out in the years to come.

 

 

SERENITY ANDERSON

 

SERENITY ANDERSON (Class of 2020) Lady Heat

 

Didn't no that there were any real ballers in Barnaget,NJ, until Gthing saw Serenity at the Battle of The Court in Lakewood,NJ. She is a true baller who can play both guard positions, Anderson can handle the ball well and can create her own shot. Serenity has a nice mid-range game but she also can attack the basket with her size in strength.

 

 

SYRIA BASS

 

Syria Bass (Class of 2019) DM Panthers

 

This is one crafty point guard for the 6th grade level, Bass seems to have natural talent, she is very quick and can get to the basket with ease when she wants to. Syria has a ton of moves, normally she likes to get her teammates involve in the offense first because Bass is so unselfish most of the time in a game, she doesn't realize that she can take over one in the most critical time in a game.

  

   

 

 

 



 

 

NICHEL TAMPA

 



 

 

KEMARI REYNOLDS

 

Kemari Reynolds (Class of 2020) Lady Heat

 

The combo guard showed out this week at the Battle Of The Court Tournament, she has all the necessary tools to be a good point guard or a two guard. Kemari loves to attack the basket, if it's one on one, or if it's on a fast break. Reynolds runs the floor well and likes to be on the wing when on a break, she has a smoove stroke and can hit a floater or two when she has to.

 

 

SAMANTHA JAY

 

Samantha Jay (Class of 2021) CJ Hawks

 

At the Battle Of The Court in Lakewood NJ, Samantha really got Gthing's attention, not only in the first game but definitely in the second. She has a good IQ for the game, Jay know's how to look for her teammates in set them up no matter if it's on a fast break or if it's a design play. Samantha is a true point guard, in a quick one at that, she dribbles very well to be only a 4th grader.

 

VICTORIA GALVAN

 

Victoria Galvan (Class of 2017) Lady Heat

 

The 6'1 8th grader was very dominant at Nepa Flames Showcase in Toms River, NJ. She has a lot of upside with her and can't do anything else but get better. Victoria has good foot work and a bunch of low post moves, she knows how to use her size to her advantage while in the paint area, Galvan also plays a little defense to go along with her great offense.