Evals
2018 Player Rankings
We decided to try some thing new this year and move the release of our Rankings out by a few weeks. The experiment was looking to include some post summer analysis into our final decisions.
With those additional evaluations in hand, here is how some of our findings panned out.
(Use the page navigation below to view the different Classes)
2019
Top in Class: Laeticia Amihere
Although we are right at the one year mark since Amihere has last seen game action due to an ACL tear, there was little doubt in our minds that she is still far and away the easy choice in this Class as the top ranked player. And, if the rumours are true and she looks to return to action at the Centennial Tournament or some other event shortly there after, her work ethic, God-given talent and already earned skills will not take too long to allow those who have not seen her play, as she makes what will be a pent-up return to the dominant player she was prior to her injury. All just in time for the announcement that everyone is waiting for concerning her NCAA commitment.
Other noteables in this Class include:
#2 Roxane Makolo and #3 Makayla Ennis
It was almost a coin flip between these two that play a similar position, yet in slightly different ways. In the end, the nod here went to Makolo because we found just a bit more consistency from her. That is not to diminish Ennis in any way, but to say that we really had to be extra picky to choose between these two.
#7 Micah Dennis
There was a bit of a dip for Dennis this go round because of some less than ideal showings in her attempted returns from nagging injuries in 2018, as well improved play from those also in this Class. While she closed out 2017 quite strong, there were a couple of hiccups that maybe only can be described as comebacks that were too early. Kudos to her for wanting to fight through and to also demonstrating her resolve in that area. Reports from her new school, Capital Courts in Ottawa, ON, speak to a recovery and renewed spirits entering into this new prep season, where she may surprise a few and make her a surprise sleeper option for a school looking to land her services.
#9 Jael Kabunda, #10 Faith Dut, #11 Mide Oriyomi
Again, here is another situation where it was extremely difficult situation for us on which to decide. In the end we went with Kabunda’s sharpshooting prowess, Dut’s impact on the west coast and south of the border over Oriyomi’s lockdown defensive ability.
Here is how the rest of the Class’ Top-10 looked to us:
1. Laeticia Amihere
2. Roxane Makolo
3. Makayla Ennis
4. Brynn Masikewich
5. Deanna Tuchscherer
6. Aerial Wilson
7. Micah Dennis
8. Kennedy Dickie
9. Jael Kabunda
10. Faith Dut
(Use the page navigation below to view the different Classes)
2020
Top in Class: Merissah Russell
Fresh off her commitment to Louisville, Russell was the easy choice at number 1. Tremendous work ethic, size and ability is again a recurring theme for the one chosen for the top spot. There is no reason to believe the she will be slowing down anytime soon as she works her way though her Junior year at Capital Courts.
Other notables:
#2 Maggie Besselink
After being a relatively unknown just a couple years age, Besselink is proving over and over that she is worthy of this number 2 ranking. Her last 12-15 months have been phenomenal and included a very good summer.
#3 Taisha Exanor
CROWN was on hand to catch Exanor’s return to her action this summer at USJN DC and were pleased with what we saw. Despite the obvious rust that will come from being out of action for over a year, flashes of her former self were apparent throughout the games she played. As her fitness continues to improve Exanor will proved that she is not one to be overlooked.
Honorable mentions go out to #10 Alexis Stewart and #11 Hayley Fedick
Stewart is climbing up the charts at a good time in her high school career, showing that she is making good decisions off the court and doing what’s necessary in her training/practice regiment.
Fedick has been out of commission due to the dreaded ACL tear and us eying a Spring time return. We haven’t lost sight of the talent that she brought when she was running on all cylinders, and are looking forward to her return.
Here is a look at the rest of the 2020 top 10:
1. Merissah Russell
2. Maggie Besselink
3. Taisha Exanor
4. Aaliyah Edwards
5. Yvonne Ejim
6. Ahriahna Grizzle
7. Maryama Turkstra
8. Rebecca Demeke
9. Mackenzie Ash-Smith
10. Alexis Stewart
(Use the page navigation below to view the different Classes)
2021
Top in Class: Shyanne Day-Wilson
Day-Wilson’s game continues to improve as she takes over the top spot in this Class. Her competitive nature and ability to make everyone around infinitely better pushed her to the top spot. This, and a head to head showdown last year with former number 1, Te-Biasu, which was extremely close but in which we gave the nod to Day-Wilson and the choice between these two became that much more apparent.
#2 Sarah Te-Biasu
Te-Biasu had a good year last year, however we didn’t find it to be on the same level as Day-Wilson’s efforts. We feel that Te-Biasu’s stock in the recruiting world will continue to rise however, because of the added visibility that will come with her move from Montreal, QC to join Niagara Prep and the exposure south of the border, in which she has extremely little.
#3 Latasha Lattimore
In this extremely top-heavy Class, Lattimore is continuing to add valuable pieces to her game. While we have her ranked at third in her Class right now, she has shown the most improvement and has the most upside to actually realize. She is scary good and if she continues to improve at the rate she has, and can complete any of these in game dunk attempts… (let’s just leave it at that)
Honorable mention goes out to #6 Isabelle Forsyth out of Surrey, BC, who showed that she has the ability to get hot as she did in the Championships of the Canadian Nationals. Year over year she is also showing steady improvement.
Here is how the rest at the top of the Class fared:
1. Shayeann Day-Wilson
2. Sarah Te-Biasu
3. Latasha Lattimore
4. Lea-Sophie Verret
5. Lashae Dwyer
(Use the page navigation below to view the different Classes)
2022
Top in Class: Kiandra Browne
Quebec is large and in charge at the top of the 2022 rankings, taking 4 of the 5 top spots. Kiandra Browne has been a top player in this Class since her days with the West Island Lakers. She has filled out in terms of her size over the past couple of years and along with getting stronger, she is also developing her on court ability. She seems to have had a number of nagging injuries that appear to have created some challenges for her throughout the year, but she had publicly resolved to rise and grind to continue to evolve her game. She does have a target on her back, by others gunning for her spot. It will be interesting to see how Browne addresses those challenges through the evolution of her game in the remainder of her pre-University career.
While Ontario appears to be shut out of the top 5 (I can’t think of the last time that has happened) honourable mention does go to #6 Tyanna Todd and #7 Mary-Anne Asare. Both Guards have a lot of similarities are in terms of their ability to impact the game. Distinguishing between the two was extremely difficult, and I am looking forward to those two going head to head at some point in their high school careers, as it would make for an exciting matchup.
Here’s a look at the Freshmen Top 5:
1. Kiandra Browne
2. Sandrine Clesca
3. Angelie Ricard
4. Tara Wallack
5. Clara Bergeron