USJN

Angels at USJN Windy City

AngelsThe Cincinnati Angels have started the AAU season and competed in their second tournament last weekend in Chicago. While Syd is still sidelined with the ACL injury, she stays as involved with them as she can.

Blue Star Media had a recap article on the Chicago tourney, highlighting the 17u bracket of the weekend. They had a nice write-up on the Angels as they integrate new players onto the team.

The Cincinnati Angels’ 17 Blue squad has three players back from last season, mixed in with seven newcomers.

Don’t feel bad for coach Dante Harlan, though. His roster is as talented as they come, featuring one player who is committed to Louisville and four others rated in the top 50 of their respective classes.

So, while Harlan searches for the right mix and most effective chemistry among all of those moving parts, he has a nice trump card that any coach would envy: playing time.

Harlan has the luxury of switching out one talented player for another if he doesn’t like what he’s seeing.

“I always preach that we’re going to defend, we’re going to rebound and we’re going to take care of the ball,” he said. “You don’t have to be the most athletic kid or the fastest kid to do those things. That’s what I base (playing time) on. It’s the little things that make the difference in winning games. That’s what separates the playing time and they know that.”

A good example was evident in Saturday’s final game, a dandy encounter between the Angels and Wisconsin Playground Elite 16. The Playground Elite won 71-70 in overtime as Harlan stuck with primarily a seven-player rotation through the final 10 minutes of regulation and overtime.

On his bench at the time were three highly rated players.

“They know that basketball changes based on matchups,” Harlan said. “If there’s a five I find (that) I’m comfortable with and they’re doing the things we need to do, that five is going to stay in. And that five changes from game to game.”

The Angels finished 1-2 Saturday, but don’t look for them to suffer many losing tournaments hereafter. The roster includes sophomore Tierra Floyd (Toledo, Ohio), No. 5 in the Class of 2015; junior Alyssa Rice (Reynoldsburg, Ohio), No. 22 in the Class of 2014; along with Naomi Davenport (Cincinnati, No. 26 sophomore) and Emily Thomas (Pickerington, Ohio, No. 48 junior). Junior Sydney Brackemyre has committed to Louisville.

USJN Toledo Blue Star Media Recap

The Cincinnati Angels finished 3-1 over Memorial Day weekend at the USJN Toledo Tournament.  Mark Lewis of Blue Star Media was there providing a few twitter updates which helped those of us who couldn’t get up north for the games.  He had a nice recap of the weekend and featured a couple of Angels players, including my favorite one on the team.  Here’s what he wrote about them specifically.  You can read all of this thoughts on the Blue Star Media site.

The Cincy Angels may have not had a full roster nor did they play their best basketball but its hard not to still take notice of the talent on hand.  Swing player Sydney Brackemyre (Harveysburg, Ohio – 2014) already has major offers on the table but there could be plenty more knocking once July rolls around.  Combining good size at 6-1 with strength and skills makes her a tough assignment defensively.  The ballhandling is there to get to the rim but the form and range will force tight closeouts as well.  There’s a patience to her game on the catch that allows her to read and break down defenders.  The tools are there to defend both the forward and wing spot and she has the agility to be a factor in pressing situations.  Brackemyre is already well suited for the college game and what she does the next two years will determine just how far she can take her game and at what level.

Brackemyre wasn’t the only standout for the Cincy Angels.  Point guard and recent St. Bonaventure commit Imani Outlaw (Cincinnati, Ohio – 2013) demonstrated the game that has Jim Crowley’s staff excited up in Olean.  The 5-8 Outlaw was on constant attack and made things happen both off the drive and from the perimeter.  Using her explosive first step she got by on ball defenders time and again converting at the rim and from a consistent pull up.  She also added several deep jumpers that forced opponents to commit to containing one element of her attack or the other.  Defensively her physical strength offsets any lack of size and allows her to contain and steer opposing ballhandlers.

Angels Highlighted by Blue Star Media

The Angels are off to a great start this AAU season.  The 15u and 16u teams both won this weekend at the AAU Super Regional in Mason.  The 16u team crawled out of a 10-0 deficit in the first quarter and finished strong with a 20+ win.

A couple of weekends ago the Angels traveled to Chicago for the USJN Windy City Classic.  Blue Star Media featured four teams they watched in Chicago.  Here is what was written about the 16u Angels. (You can read the entire article here.)

Cincy Angels 16 (Cincinnati, OH): A while back Disney produced a baseball movie called Angels in the Outfield. The Cincy Angels could be cast in a basketball version called Angels on the Hardwood. If you’re a coach looking for size, you definitely need to take a long look at this team. This squad is stacked with talented and multi-skilled prospects.  Kayla McDowell loves to create off the dribble at 6-2 and the senior to be runs the floor in transition with the guards. She finishes well in the paint and has a nice shooting touch that stretches beyond the three point arc. Their Class of 2014 is very strong and has some depth. First one to catch your eye is 6-1 wing Sydney Brackemyre.  With a college ready body she’s skilled offensively posessing a nice face up game that includes a jumper that extends out to the three point range.  Brackemyre, in addition to matching up on the perimeter defensively, can also battle down on the block as needed. Jenna Gunn also has a strong build and good size at 6-0 that she effectively uses to defend and rebound. She handles the ball efficiently and loves to attack the paint with no reservations about contact.  Ana Richter has lots of versatility at 6-0 allowing her to play with her back to the basket or exploit her smooth midrange shot. Richter also does a good job of handling pressure and demonstrated good vision passing out of double teams.  Rounding out the Class of 2014 is 5-8 point guard Imani Outlaw.  She does an impressive job of attacking and creating in traffic but at the same time has a smooth reliable jumper. The Angels are a well-coached ball club with sound defensive principles. Their post players are well schooled fundamentally and contribute both in getting stops and providing offensive firepower. The Cincy Angels will not beat themselves and you’re going have to bring you’re “A” game if you plan on coming out on top.  

Angels Win in Chicago

The Angels got off to a great start to this year’s AAU season by winning the USJN Windy City Classic this past weekend in Chicago.  This was the first tournament for the 16u team (pictured) and the second for the 15u team (they won the Bearcat Classic last weekend).

Both teams look to be strong with the addition of some new players on both teams.  Excited about what the upcoming tournaments will bring.

Angels Update – Lost in Semi-Final

Just got a text from DC and the Angels lost in their semi-final game 45-40. Not sure who they played or how the game went, other than the outcome. It’s never fun to lose, but this is only the second loss of the season for them. I think their record stands as 32-2 for the summer. Not too bad I would say.

The girls will get cleaned up and hit the road for Bowling Green, OH, to play in their final tournament of the summer. They will be playing in a 14/15 mixed pool, so may face some stiff competition. The good thing is that Bowling Green is a lot closer than the original destination of Philadelphia, so I will get to catch a game or two.

Great job Angels! Keep up the good work.

Final Angels Update….until tomorrow

The Angels won their pool by going undefeated.  They won their last game today 51-36.  Syd had 11, but also took an elbow to the eye.  She said her eye is hurting and the elbow also got her mouth.  She has braces so she is going to see an orthodontist to make sure nothing is bent.  Hopefully she just comes out of it with a black eye.  They play in the semi-finals tomorrow.  With some ice and some rest tonight, hoping she is ok to play tomorrow.

Go Angels!

Quick Angels Update

The Cincinnati Angels 14U team is out in DC this week playing in another USJN tournament.  The summer is winding down and they are nearing the end of their schedule.

The girls played their opening game against a good team from Connecticut.  Syd said they were very athletic and it was a tough game.  The Angels won by 2 and Syd had 27 points, her high for the summer.

Wish I could be out there, but hope to keep hearing good reports as they continue through pool play.