Below you will find some of the players that caught my eye at the Kentucky Expo Center during The Classic on May 16-18. Please keep in mind that these are just the players I was able to catch at the event and in no means is this an exhaustive list of players who had standout performances throughout the tournament. In most cases, I also only got to see each team play in a single game setting.
Mariella Claybrook
TN Flight 2027 E40
Did a great job staying in front and blocking shots defensively. Nice moves to create separation from defense and scored in a variety of ways. Making a huge impact on both ends of the court.
Kaylee McElroy
Kentuckiana Hoops 16U E40
Crafty moves to get around defense and finishes well at the rim. Very active defensively and made some great reads. Really love the way Kaylee plays – high energy, 100% effort, and smooth game.
Leighana Shelton
Lady Bradley Beal Elite 16U E40
3-level scoring threat with a true scorers mentality – didn’t let missed shots effective her and kept shooting but also dropped some dimes to teammates. Versatile on both ends of the court. Tenacious on the boards. Handled contact well and finished strong.
Kenzlee Terry
2027 Lady Aces 16U NE2K
Had multiple 20-point games including dropping 26 points to kick off the tournament. Was doing a little bit of everything on the court – rebounds, assists, steals, deflections in every game. Had so much variety in the ways she was scoring including some nice step-back buckets.
Kyleigh Stakelin
2027 Richmond Heat NE2K
Quite literally does a little bit of everything and always showcases her versatility. Plays so hard and so smart. Scores in so many different ways and moves well without the ball.
Alexis Finchum
Kentuckiana Hoops 16U E40
Great PG skills. Very poised with the ball in her hands. Excellent change of speeds and ability to get a step on defenders. Stays in front well defensively and plays fearless – wasn’t scared to get physical with much bigger players.
Olivia Ginn
IGB 16U S40
Caught Ginn on the 4th game in 3 days but you wouldn’t guess it based on the energy and effort she was giving. Good job setting up the offense and distributing the ball. Changes speeds really well & had some nice drives to the basket.
Zoë Gathright
2027 Lady Aces 16U NE2K
Scored well off of the dribble, including pull-up jumpers and getting to the rim. Also knocked down some outside shots and finished off the catch around the basket. Defensively, made some big plays coming up with blocks or altering shots around the basket.
Kaydence Kindle
Kentucky Premier 16U E40
Can score inside or out & handled any contact that was thrown at her. Communicates well on both ends of the court. Boxes out strong and crashes the boards hard.
Alyssa Burkhart
2027 Richmond Heat NE2K
PG with smooth handles and a variety of ball handling skills. Can be a very crafty scorer inside and out. Seems to always be able to get a step on her defender.
Alyiah Baird
2027 Lady Aces 16U NE2K
Quick release shooter but had a nice mix of drives and outside shots. Multiple double digit scoring efforts and also dished out some nice assists. Good length and uses that to be a disruptive defender.
Calia Jones
Kentuckiana Hoops 16U E40
Great shooter but can also score off the bounce & keeps the defense guessing. Made some good hustle plays. Used length well to get her hands on the ball defensively.
Brynn Brickey
2027 Lexington Crossover
I’ve been firm on only including write ups for players I actually physically get to watch at tournaments ever since I started covering GBB but let me make one exception because of the insane performance Brickey put on at The Classic. Averaged 30 PPG across the tournament, including a single game stat line of 46 points (8 triples), 4 steals, 3 rebounds, & 2 blocks. Legitimately always brings all the effort and all the energy you could ever want from a player too. Had a breakout high school season and has clearly only grown her game more since that season ended.