Caldwell
Caldwell was this years Kelsey Mitchell. Mitchell, the top ranked player in the class of 2014, according to ESPN Hoopgurlz, was surprisingly cut after a great showing last year. The cut left many analyst scratching their heads. Below is commentary of Caldwell's play from the staff of grass roots basketball heavy weights, ESPN Hoopgurlz(Chris Hansen/Brandon Clay/Keil Moore), Blue Star Media(Mike Flynn, Prentice Beverly, Kevin Lynch), and All-Stars Girls Report( Bret McCormick). I will let their words and interviews tell the story but Caldwell showed extremely well. According to a source close to the selection process, she needed to shoot more. She was Rajon Rondo instead of being Chris Paul. She was Rondo last year and wrongfully thought that Rondo was want the only people who matter in the process, the selection committee, wanted. Many local followers were surprised at Caldwell being called a defensive stopper. I was not. Her offensive abilities and demanding minutes in both high school and club ball makes playing lock down defense secondary at times. As stated below by an analyst that was not a particular fan of hers( had a different horse in the race), Caldwell locked up some of the very best kids in the country. Unfortunately, the kid that is known as one of the best shooting/scoring point guards in the country and is being recruited as such, did not shoot enough to warrant a spot in the u17 world games. The following are tweets, an article and an interview by the analysts on hand. These include former college coaches, award winning journalists, former college players and 4 of the most respected evaluators in the land.
McKenzie Calvert
Calvert had a terrific showing. She encouraged and cheered for her teammates more than I have ever witnessed. She played her trademark smothering defense and did a good job running the point guard spot. In a conversation with one of the talent evaluators on hand, he came to the realization that she can go! He has seen Calvert a number of times in club ball and this was by far the best showing that he has seen from her. Calvert may have played her way into a Top 25 ranking with the analysts on hand. Being on one of the most watched club teams in the country has allowed her to play in front of these talent evaluators dozens of times. However, she showed them that she is indeed one of the best 2014 guards in the country this past weekend.
