7TH ANNUAL EST MIDDLE SCHOOL COMBINE

*** THIS EVENT IS CURRENTLY AT CAPACITY! Any submitted registration forms going forward will ensure a spot on the wait list, which often gets tapped into with backouts leading up to the event. (as of 5/11) ***

Site: Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, NY)
Date: Fri, May 23, 2025
Time: 6:30-9 PM (one session)
For: Girls in Classes of 2029-2030 (*current* 7th-8th grade)
Registration (done/submitted online): https://jeffmlinar.wufoo.com/forms/mboq59l1ha2jl9/
Payment: Venmo, CashApp, PayPal, cash & check are all options; inquire directly for further info (payment links have been pulled due to event being at capacity)
Cost: $80

Before the recently graduated 2024 class became leaders as one of New York’s best classes in recent memory, they were energetic up & comers with potential. Here, 8th grade versions of Karissa Antoine & Natalie Fox – who just finished solid freshman seasons at *Fordham* and *William & Mary* – meet at the rim. On defense in the background is Avery Mills, who was one of the Conference-USA’s top freshmen at *Liberty*.

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 hitting the road to places like Scranton & Utica. Now back in the 518, Year 7 is set for a ‘new’ but familiar site.

The 7th Annual EST Middle School Combine will be held at Skidmore College in beautiful Saratoga Springs, just north of the immediate Capital District, on Friday, May 23. This will be a ONE SESSION EVENT with a cap of approximately 60 participants – to put in perspective, last year’s two-session middle school event had 78 total, so I anticipate this filling up. In order to account for travel time for out-of-area participants, the event will run from approximately 6:30-9 PM.

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. Skill sessions at EST events are always coordinated by premier skill development specialists from throughout the Northeast or college basketball coaches.

While EST high school events have become a prime opportunity to gain exposure 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. The MS Combine serves as a trusted early barometer of the extended region’s talent while providing a fun, competitive environment, and it’s a primary way to get on my radar & the radars of other evaluators throughout the Northeast. Many MS Combine participants are now standouts at the high school level, and others that have moved onto the collegiate level dot rosters at all levels from the Big 10 to the Empire 8.

There’s nothing quite like ‘event day’ to me, and the MS Combine has grown into one of my favorites. Looking forward to Year 7! 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 Skidmore on May 23!

Some Notable EST Middle School Event Alumni (in photo form)

Kyla Hayes (Cardinal O’Hara/St. John’s commit)
Karissa Antoine (Schalmont/Fordham) defended by Natalie Fox (Millbrook/William & Mary)
Mallory Heise (Hilton/St. Bonaventure commit)
Shay Ciezki (St. Mary’s-Lancaster/Indiana)
Anna Moser (2027, D1 offered)
McKenna Hoyt (2026, D1 offered)
Amaia Jackson (Montverde (FL)/Clemson commit)
Carolina Williams (Hoosac/New Hampshire commit)
Natalie Fox (Millbrook/William & Mary)
Klarissa Goode (Bishop Kearney/Binghamton commit)
Jalea Abrams (Elmira/Queens)
Jackie Piddock (South Jefferson/Marist)
Kaitlyn Robbins (Bethlehem/Bentley commit)
Amarah Streiff (Bishop Ludden/Colgate)
Avery Mills (Liberty Christian (VA)/Liberty)
Kaia Goode (Bishop Kearney/Binghamton)
Taylor Holohan (Averill Park/Northeastern)
Theresa Hagans (Bishop Ireton (VA)/Pittsburgh commit)
Brenna Ducatte (Saranac/Assumption (D2) commit)
Ella Trimarchi (Colonie 2027)
Annabelle Day (North Tonawanda 2026, D1 offered)
Ella Wilson (Lake-Lehman (PA)/Mercy commit)
El’Dior Dobere (Catholic Central 2027)
Ke’iara Odume (Loomis Chaffee (CT)/Yale)
Marisa Smith (Johnson City/Bucknell)
Lauren Patnode (Perkiomen (PA)/LaSalle)
Amya McLeod (Rome Free Academy/Le Moyne)
Audrey Shields (Emma Willard/Providence)
Ava Sandroni (Jamesville-DeWitt/Rochester commit)
Kaelah Carter (Shaker/Holy Family)
Grace Villnave (Cicero-North Syracuse/SUNY Canton commit)
Caydence Hadley (Bishop Kearney/Siena)
Alex Moses (Duanesburg/Canisius)
Peyton Hoblock (Shaker 2026, D1 offered)
Jayla Geter (Shaker 2027)