5TH ANNUAL EST MIDDLE SCHOOL COMBINE: Info & Registration

Site: Poole Athletic Center @ The Albany Academies (Albany, NY)
Date: Fri, May 26, 2023
Time: 5-7 PM (Class of 2028), 7-9 PM (Class of 2027) (TWO SESSIONS)
For: Girls in Classes of 2027-2028 (7th/8th grade)
Cost: $75

Amaia Jackson, a Bishop Kearney standout & now one of New York’s most highly touted 2025s, is a headliner among a lengthy list of bright young talents that have put in work at the Middle School Combine. (picture from the 2021 EST MS Combine)

Since its inception in 2018, the Middle School Combine quickly grew into being one of my favorite days of the year. Many of today’s high school standouts & current collegiate players at all levels have competed & introduced themselves through the only annual EST event solely dedicated to rising middle school talent. The event got its first legs in the Capital District before finding homes in Scranton & Utica in recent years. For the first time since 2019… it’s back in the 518.

The 5th Annual EST Middle School Combine will be held at the Poole Athletic Center at The Albany Academies on Friday, May 26. For the first time, this will be a TWO-SESSION EVENT. Class of 2028 (7th grade) players will take the court from 5-7 PM, with the Class of 2027 (8th grade) session to follow immediately after from approximately 7-9 PM. Registration is taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each session is set to be capped at approximately 40 participants.

Players will receive the opportunity to compete in various outlets while also getting focused reps through individual skill development. The competition piece includes an extended stretch of 3v3 play to not only allow participants to get into a rhythm & provide a different look, but also to maximize touches & “in-game reps” for all. There will also be plenty of traditional 5v5 run, with rosters geared to be competitive for all participants. All athletes will also go through a comprehensive individual skill work session during the event coordinated by the renowned Mark Williams, one of the premier skill development specialists in the Northeast, and his Team Footprintz organization.

While the EST high school events have turned into a prime opportunity to gain exposure & visibility to collegiate programs and other valuable outlets on a prospect’s journey, EST middle school events have also proven to “break” up & coming players on a greater scale with an early barometer of the extended region’s talent while providing a fun, competitive environment. The first MS Combine’s 8th graders are now college freshmen; many have continued their playing days collegiately at schools such as Penn State, Lafayette, Marist, Niagara, Le Moyne, Saint Rose, Daemen, Queens, and a host of Division III & JuCo programs. Class of 2023 & 2024 participants have also made their commitments to continue playing collegiately at all levels.

There’s nothing quite like ‘event day’ to me, and the MS Combine has grown into one of my favorites. Looking forward to Year 5 back in the 518! Registration & payment links are at the top of the page, and a registered player list (updated daily, or at least as often as I can get to it) will be posted directly below. Hope to see you at Albany Academy on May 26!

Many of NY (and now the Northeast) future names have put in work at the EST Middle School Combine. This photo, from the May 2019 event in Schenectady, features *Fairfield* signee Kaety L’Amoreaux shooting, teammate Audrey Shields (2024 with numerous D1 offers) behind, and Colonie standouts Ava Pearson (*D’Youville* signee) and Bella Franchi (*St. Michael’s* signee) defending.

REGISTERED PLAYER LIST (updated as time allows)

Andrea Barnum (5’7″, 2027)
Kylah Bednar (5’6″, 2027)
Harly Birdsall (5’10”, 2027)
Finleigh Biter (5’5″, 2027)
Aiyana Coleman (5’2″, 2027)
Payton Comstock (5’10”, 2027)
Charlotte Dawson (5’8″, 2027)
Victoria Fall (5’5″, 2027)
Leah Ferris (5’11”, 2027)
Rosilee Forrest (5’10”, 2027)
Molly Fitch (5’8″, 2027)
Kaylee French (5’7″, 2027)
Jayla Geter (5’6″, 2027)
Jordyn Gurney (5’8″, 2027)
Giovanna Harris (5’6″, 2027)
Adriana Izzo (5’6″, 2027)
Maddy Kielkowicz (5’6″, 2027)
Madison Klouse (5’8″, 2027)
Gianna Lake (5’7″, 2027)
Lydia Land-Steves (5’10”, 2027)
Jayla LaParl (5’4″, 2027)
Emma Larson (5’10”, 2027)
Marianna Leslie (5’7″, 2027)
Madison Lewis (5’9″, 2027)
Brooke Lilley (5’5″, 2027)
Rylee Mendrzycki (5’9″, 2027)
Taniyah Monforte (5’3″, 2027)
Clara Moran (5’4″, 2027)
Madelynn Murray (5’1″, 2027)
Rae Napierski (5’5″, 2027)
Charlotte Panetta (5’9″, 2027)
Aliyah Pearson (5’2″, 2027)
Analynn Scelzi (5’5″, 2027)
Alaina Stockwell (5’4″, 2027)
Abigail Tellstone (5’1″, 2027)
Addison Thornton (5’6″, 2027)
Ella Trimarchi (5’9″, 2027)
Arabella Villegas (5’3″, 2027)
Grace Walley (5’10”, 2027)
Julia Acton (5’6″, 2028)
Annalyse Alarcon (5’1″, 2028)
Madison Baumann (5’6″, 2028)
Gianna Buchiere (5’3″, 2028)
Emma Burke (5’3″, 2028)
Emma DiSilva (5’4″, 2028)
Teagan Foulke (5’4″, 2028)
Megan Goodell (5’8″, 2028)
Samantha Goodell (5’5″, 2028)
Aaliviah Green (5’6″, 2028)
Jayse Keville (5’10”, 2028)
Ella Lawrence (5’4″, 2028)
Olivia Madison (4’11”, 2028)
Milana Orietas (5’9″, 2028)
Julianna Otis (5’8″, 2028)
Giada Pecori (5’4″, 2028)
Brooke Reddington (5’7″, 2028)
Meya Smith (5’10”, 2028)
Gianna Sodon (5’10”, 2028)
Gabriella Telesco (5’6″, 2028)
Sabrina Tiberi (6’0″, 2028)
Kailey Weber (5’9″, 2028)
Maggie Wohlleber (5’9″, 2028)
Jeniyah Wood (5’5″, 2028)