I write about everyone else’s stuff. Maybe I should get back to diving deeper into my own?

Rewind a couple weeks back to April 24, the Friday after the first evaluation period of the year, when the epicenter of Upstate New York basketball was in the 585 for the night. The 5th Annual EST WNY Warm-Up, which has been held at various college sites in the Rochester area since its inception, took center stage in the Tuttle North Gymnasium at SUNY Brockport. Before breaking deeper into notes & evals, a look at some of the numbers:

• 65 players attended this event, almost exclusively from the 2027-2029 classes.
• 34 college coaches made this year’s WNY Warm-Up a recruiting stop & walked through the doors. This included Division II, Division III, and NJCAA programs. Approximately 75% of colleges represented had their head coach in attendance. 15 of the 21 D2/D3 schools on the I-81 corridor & west in New York had a coach in attendance, including all three of the D2s, and out of the six that didn’t have representation at the event, three of them did not have a head coach on event day.
• All participants were from New York, but it wasn’t just a local event. 8 sections of the NYSPHSAA (plus the Monsignor Martin parochial schools of the Buffalo area) were represented – Sections 1-7 & 10. Section V, the host region of this event, had the most with 28 players, slightly over 40% of participants.
• In terms of sheer numbers, representation was relatively balanced among the classes, but 2028 had the most with 25 players in attendance.
• Many from this year’s WNY Warm-Up will undoubtedly continue their playing days at the college level and add to the now 747 prior EST event participants from the Classes of 2016-2026 that have played college basketball, are playing college basketball currently, or have committed to playing at a college in the fall.

3×3 Notes & Thoughts

It’s tough for me to bring up the 3×3 portion without first bringing up the sheer compete level in the matchup between Braelyn Isaman (Keshequa 2027) and Addison Thornton (Stillwater 2027). They are direct counterparts of each other in many ways. Style of play is different – Braelyn has more of a pure force & power element, Addison offers more of a slithery shiftiness – but they are both point guards with commanding presence, top players on top Class C teams from opposite ends of the state, and very actively recruited by similar level schools including many of the same ones. They bumped up against each other often, 100% by design, and with how aggressively & consistently they competed, it felt like they both won in the sense of standing out from the crowd.

Also, unlike most spring/fall EST showcases, we broke out a separate segment for 3×3 initiated by specific offensive action. This is something I often reserve for Summer Run play in August. After doing it here, it’s something I’ll make an attempt to incorporate at many future events. Going back & watching the game film from our action-based 3s, all of which worked through basic Horns formation, it really highlighted a select group that have advanced minds for the game – and also separated those that were fully invested in the event, both physically & mentally, from those that may have been going through the motions. A few that really stuck out in a positive way from the Horns 3×3 included:

• Eva Dixon (Pittsford Mendon 2029)
• Braelyn Isaman (Keshequa 2027)
• Elizabeth Kearney (Bethlehem 2028)
• Avery Kroening (Webster Schroeder 2029)
• Annie Lindstrom (St. Mary’s-Lancaster 2029)
• Bellarose Milligan (West Seneca West 2027)
• Baya Oehlbeck (Sherman 2028)
• Brooke Reddington (West Canada Valley 2028)
• Shirley Thompson (Batavia Notre Dame 2029)

Familiarity with the event setting often plays a role in comfort & performance, but now and then, some EST event first-timers step right in & make their presence felt. I noticed a few that showed well right from the jump during 3×3 in their debut at an EST event. That included:

• Charlotte Beaver (Southwestern 2028)
• Mia DeMinck (Wayne 2028)
• Kate Heins (Lowville 2028)
• Teagan Ferris (Mount Mercy 2029)
• Izzy Foster (Edwards-Knox 2029)
• Kenyon Storandt (Thousand Islands 2029)
• Shirley Thompson (Batavia Notre Dame 2029)
• Zoie Hillabrandt (Edwards-Knox 2031)
• Avery Noe (Kenmore West 2031)

And some more detailed observations on a few of the 3×3 standouts, some who were mentioned above & others that weren’t:

Reese Duprey (Peru 2027): One of the two farthest travelers – well over 5 hours & 300 miles each way if keeping track – made sure to not waste her trip. Reese, no stranger to the EST event setting but making her first stop at a WNY one, made sure locals & coaches in attendance felt her presence. She stood out in opening 3×3 with high motor & noticeably diversifying skill set. It was game over when the athletic 5’10” swing forward got to her right, but she showed more comfort than in the past finishing with her left & shooting from the arc, including a college line make.

Raegan Evingham (Hornell 2027): Raegan came into 3×3 as an attack mode scorer, and although there was some volume involved, along with it came efficiency as she just kept connecting. The 5’9” 2027 displayed versatility as a perimeter shooter, driver with deceiving craftiness, and interior option depending on matchup. Overall during the opening 3×3, she led as a shooter & it was pure when she got lift on it. Raegan scored 20+ in that stretch alone including five college threes, and in the action-based segment, she showed more of a knack to find space & carve her way downhill. Intriguing base of skills to build on.

Braelyn Isaman (Keshequa 2027): Out of 65 participating players, Braelyn could make a strong case as the single best performer during 3×3 segments. Whether it was open FIBA-style play or more controlled action-based reps, the area standout – highly coveted by many coaches in attendance, easily seen by the line waiting to talk after – was aggressive & comfortable. She set the tone with furious compete level & physicality on both sides of the ball, got downhill and effectively created driving & finishing angles, used & attacked ball screens at a particularly high level, and although downhill-driven, she drilled a couple college threes to show the range can be developed.

Bellarose Milligan (West Seneca West 2027): The 716’s breakout winter star had one of the stronger showings during both 3×3 segments. I particularly liked Bellarose’s approach to play. The showcase setting can drive players to try & do too much, but Milligan picked her spots effectively, stayed within herself, and showcased her abilities well without taking away from anyone around her. She brought energy at the jump with off-ball movement, aggressively crashed from the arc, & canned 3 college threes early on, then showed great comfort in horns action as a scorer off elbow catches, iso dribble moves, and chin cuts. College skill, instincts, & understanding of the game.

Clara Shannon (Fairport 2027): Just… keep… competing. Sounds simple, but if it was, I guess everyone would do it, right? Clara showed active & instinctive off-ball movement and spent a lot of time in the paint during opening 3×3, but it was the action-based segment, which her group got to last, where she really stuck out. Tanks were on E for most participants in the last 30 minutes, but Clara attacked with the same energy of the first 30 & separated because of it with drives & scores off ball screens, rips & attacks off the catch, and some second chances. Conditioning & consistency matter, and she showed both.

Bella Conroy (Sidney 2028): In a deep selection of solid 2028 guards, Bella – who traveled 3+ hours each way from Brockport – separated from much of the pack with strong 3×3 sequences. She’s made strides in the balance of picking her spots effectively while keeping her aggressiveness, and she looks the part as a combo guard with reasonable size (5’7”) & deceptive athletic burst. She turned the corner often using both speed and change of speed & converted at a high clip, especially going to her left, and played with the same high energy in the last segment of 3×3 as the first one two hours prior.

Sophia Frayne (Canandaigua 2028): I learned early on to play the long game with young bigs. Don’t worry about the ‘now’ while still catching up to physical growth. Track habits developed early – those help determine if they’ll approach full potential later. Sophia is one I’m particularly high on as she’s dialed in & keeps steadily improving. The 6’3” forward stood out in a group of underclassman bigs during 3×3 with general consistency, two-way presence as an active shot blocker & alterer, and expanding offensive game with face-up play from the elbows, spot jumpers out to just inside the arc, and matchup-dependent post dives on smaller defenders.

Madelyn Marcezin (St. Mary’s-Lancaster 2028): Maddy has been visible at WNY-based EST events since last year. Perhaps that experience showed with more comfort this time around – but more than anything, overall development in skill & feel was apparent from the jump. The Buffalo area up & comer is well-trained and looks the part with the ball in her hands. She set defenders up without playing with it much & proved difficult to keep in front, read ball screens well in terms of attack vs. slip & shoot, and matched energy as an on-ball defender with good feet & multiple efforts. Can’t hide in 3×3; she embraced that mindset in competition.

Brooke Reddington (West Canada Valley 2028): It was quiet, which isn’t a surprise as her game has an understated nature, but Brooke could also make a case for the best 3×3 showing. Impressive because I wouldn’t even say she showed everything. The 5’10” stretch forward drilled a three at one point, but most work went toward the rim in various ways. She stayed within herself, produced off rips & drives, cuts from various spots on the floor, and showed exceptional instincts during action-based 3×3 as a roll/dive/lift option after screens & passer from the elbow. Frontcourt skill set & basketball IQ that directly translates to college systems.

Reilly Acosta (Yorktown 2029): Possibly the single biggest road warrior of the night, Reilly made the 5+ hour haul from Northern Westchester County & got right to it. She took advantage of the greater spacing of 3×3 & quickly showcased advanced on-ball skill. The 5’8” guard showed comfort working 1v1 off the bounce, turned the corner on defenders often, flashed slithery qualities & footwork slipping through bodies when needed, and she was a potent finisher when she got to her right. One of the more creative players in the gym with the ball in her hands & one of the event’s more promising young players.

Eva Dixon (Pittsford Mendon 2029): Eva is already recognized as one of the 585’s top guards with multiple D1 offers as a freshman, so her standout showing came as no surprise. Still, her development is both promising & eye-catching. You can’t hide in 3×3, and Eva’s feet were always moving – on/off-ball offense, on/off-ball defense – constantly engaged, consistent compete level. She was arguably the best in the building off the bounce with tight handle & quick changes of speed/direction, her general IQ & comfort in variety during action-based 3×3 was at a high level, and she showcased impressive midrange game as a counter to dribble-drive prowess.

Avery Kroening (Webster Schroeder 2029): Each form of 3×3 brought something different for Avery, and the Rochester area rising star delivered one of the top overall showings during those segments. Early on, the 5’10” guard, who spent a long winter at the PG spot, showed development as a ballhandler & creator with ability to create separation off dribble moves, shoot off the bounce, and craftiness as a rim finisher. Avery continued to shine in action-based play as a high level off-ball threat that cut decisively & used screens and various horns actions instinctively to create quality looks. Physical tools, developing skill set, & basketball IQ that all translate.

Emalyn Mucher (Fillmore 2029): In terms of the ‘total package’ of advanced skill, fundamental base, & physical tools, Emalyn – as a 2029 – may be the one that blends them together the best out of anyone at this event. It showed during 3×3 as she tapped into basically the full toolbox of guard abilities. She was moderately aggressive in creating with the dribble, showed comfortable midrange game & college range with space, and utilized fakes & exceptional footwork with jabs, stepthroughs, and comfort playing off 2 feet. She already holds a D1 offer, and I think we’ll be calling Emalyn an alpha in this space before long.

Shirley Thompson (Batavia Notre Dame 2029): Shirley, a first-time EST event participant, came in with a tremendous approach to 3×3, and it paid dividends with a noticeably strong overall showing. She played PG for Class D state champ Batavia ND in the winter, but it was off-ball feel & versatility as a 5’10” player that can exploit different kinds of matchups that stuck out here. She played unselfishly, picked her spots as a scorer through drives, cuts, & post-ups on smaller defenders, made consistently correct reads in action-based 3×3, and showed a mastery of the ‘basics’ compared to most around her. Breath of fresh air watching Shirley play.

Avery Noe (Kenmore West 2031): I don’t allow middle schoolers into HS events unless I’m fully confident they can compete physically & mentally, and Avery may have even surpassed my expectations. The 7th grader, who was a top player for her varsity team in the winter, looked comfortable from the jump. She got hot in the third rotation of FIBA-style 3×3 with a trio of college threes, and even after that, she played within herself. No heat checks – good reads in open settings & off screens, makeable shot attempts, drives to draw help & flip the court, high percentage plays. Very promising up & comer very much worth tracking.

5v5 Notes & Thoughts

more coming soon…