Chesapeake 17 Nationals All Tournament Team
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Early this week I did the 16s. And like the 16s, the 17s were dominated by Paramount and Metro. Virginia Juniors did well in the Freedom Division so they had a few players on this list. Paramount went 8-0 after…
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Continue ReadingEarly this week I did the 16s. And like the 16s, the 17s were dominated by Paramount and Metro. Virginia Juniors did well in the Freedom Division so they had a few players on this list.
Paramount went 8-0 after the first three days, qualifying for the gold bracket. According to Paramount 17 coach Nick DiClementi, the club became the fifth Chesapeake Region team since 2009 to reach the gold bracket in the Nationals Division. Unfortunately, their first match in the gold was against the local Indiana team Rev Raptors, who just a week earlier took second place in the AAU Open in Orlando. Paramount went three with the Raptors, losing the third game 15-12 and finishing fifth out of 48 teams.
Virginia Juniors was just one win away from earning a spot in the Freedom gold bracket. It seemed like every game was a battle for them, with eight of ten matches going three. Metro endured a 42-40 loss to third place Club V, otherwise it might have been Metro competing in the gold bracket in the Open Division. So many great performances from those three teams. Below are the players who really stood out.
Left Sides – Safi Hampton Safi Hampton 6'1" | OH Hammond (MD) | 2023 State #34 Nation VA (Metro) was on fire for this tournament. The North Carolina commit stands 6’1″ but with her jump and arm extension she plays so much taller. So many critical kills when Metro was down set point in their 42-40 loss. Safi is also a solid back row player, with the quickness to make some stunning defensive saves. The Tarheels (UNC Chapel Hill) will be happy to have this six rotation player on the court.
Grace Maria Grace Maria 6'2" | OH Bishop O'Connell | 2023 State #150 Nation VA (Virginia Juniors) continued to show her excellence. Her hitting has improved so much in one season and her back row play could be the best of this group. At 6’2″ she can also put up a potent block on the left side. Grace has committed to Connecticut, where her mom played basketball. Rylah Robinson Rylah Robinson 5'10" | OH J. W. Robinson | 2023 State VA (Paramount) was a three rotation player but was the dominant hitter for Paramount. The Rider commit had critical hits that put Paramount into the gold bracket on the final day. She also made the GJNC All-Tournament team.
While her team struggled Gabrielle Grantham-Medley (Liberty) was a force from the left side. The 5’10 outside was nominated to the JVA Watch list and was named first team All-Central Maryland.
Middles – Brielle Kemavor Brielle Kemavor 6'5" | MB Charles J. Colgan | 2023 State #148 Nation VA (Metro) can dominate the middle with her 6’5″ height. The BYU commit hits the ball hard whether she is going to the left or right. When she blocks a ball it finds the floor fast.
Sadie Wright (Paramount) hit the middle so well it opened up the outsides. The Kent State commit also had some big, momentum changing blocks. Jasmine Okeoma Jasmine Okeoma 6'3" | MB Forest Park | 2023 State VA (Virginia Jrs) has the height in the middle to block up space to allow defenses to cover their spots. She was also effective hitting the quicks.
Right Side – At 6’3 Helen Frankovich Helen Frankovich 6'3" | RS Justice | 2023 State VA (Paramount) can put up a good block to stop the left side hitters. She was also the go to hitter the Paramount setters went to whenever they needed a critical point. Rarely did she let them down.
Setters – Ironic that the two setters Milan Rex Milan Rex 5'11" | S Alexandria City | 2023 State #147 Nation VA (Metro) and Chloe Wilmot Chloe Wilmot 5'9" | S Alexandria City | 2023 State VA (Paramount) play on the same high school team (Alexandria City) who they led to a State Championship two years ago. Both are really smooth in dishing out their sets to all areas of the court, Chloe especially with her back sets. Rex also hits right side when she is not setting and had some critical solo blocks. Chloe has committed to Duquesne while Rex will be going to UC Santa Barbara.
Ava Ray Ava Ray 5'7" | S Riverside | 2023 State VA (Virginia Jrs) would be the other setter on this team. At 5’7″ Virginia Juniors uses her in a 6/2, utilizing her in the back row. She has a knack for hitting her middles with the quicks.
Liberos – I had to find a way to put Hannah Howard Hannah Howard 5'8" | DS/L Musselman (WVA) | 2023 State VA (Paramount) in the lineup. I love her enthusiasm when she is on the court. She played left side for Paramount and was a very effective hitter. At 5’8″ when the blocks got taller it became tougher for her to put the ball down. The West Virginia Gatorade player of the year plays a stellar back row and is listed as a libero/outside.
Sofia Hardy Sofia Hardy 5'7" | DS/L Independence | 2023 State VA (Virginia Juniors) made some amazing digs and was such a consistent passer. Without her play on the pass or dig the offense would suffer.