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Hoop Group Girls' Championship Standouts: Pt. 1 (July 10-11, 2022)

07/12/2022, 11:00am EDT
By Josh Verlin & Sean McBryan

Josh Verlin (@jmverlin) &
Sean McBryan (@SeanMcBryan)

MANHEIM, Pa. — The Hoop Group girls’ showcase league held its Summer Championships this week at Spooky Nook Sports, with the girls’ HGSL squads vying for championships at the 15U, 16U and 17U levels in front of hundreds of college coaches from all levels.

CoBL was in attendance all tournament long, from the first sets on Sunday night through the championships on Tuesday afternoon. Here’s who stood out to our staff on games played Sunday night and Monday morning + afternoon (10 AM through 4:50 PM game sets):

Isabella Ascenio (2023 | United NJ | Immaculate Heart, N.J.)
Ascenio stands only 5-4 but that doesn’t seem to matter, as she was plenty effective for United NJ against a much taller Lady Runnin’ Rebels squad which still couldn’t seem to contain her. Ascenio scored 12 points, adding four rebounds and three assists as United beat the Rebels, continually getting past her defender and getting the defense moving, starting a series of passes that usually ended in a bucket or at least a good shot. Teaming up with Richmond-bound point guard Alexandra Sweeney (Sparta, N.J.), Ascenio used her left-handed jumper to great effect, hitting a pair of 3-pointers (on only three attempts).


Isabella Casey (above) flashed a well-rounded game with 20 points and seven assists in a win over the Mid-Atlantic Magic. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

Isabella Casey (2024 | Lady Runnin’ Rebels 16U | Germantown Ac.)
In an all-local matchup of a 16U Sweet 16 game between the Runnin’ Rebels and the Mid-Atlantic Magic, Casey was the difference-maker for the Rebels in a 59-49 win. The 5-10 guard kept finding herself in position around the bucket with the ball in her hands, and excelled at using the glass to bank in odd-angled shots time and time again; she finished with 20 points on 9-of-15 shooting, plus a couple free-throws, rounding out her game with seven rebounds (three offensive), four assists and two steals 

Margaret Cavanaugh (2023 | NJ ShoreShots 17U | St. Rose, N.J.)
The best way to describe Cavanaugh’s game against NEPA Elite on Saturday afternoon can be summed up in one word: involved. It seemed like no matter what was going on, Cavanaugh was in the mix; she only scored five points, but grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out eight assists, an all-around force that made her team better in a 10-point loss. The New Hampshire commit, a 5-9 point guard, wasn’t at all hesitant to crash the glass and fight for rebounds, get into the teeth of the defense and make plays, or just make the extra pass around the perimeter.

Delaney Chilcote (2025 | Lehigh Valley Fever 15U | Parkland)
Chilcote’s impact was felt in multiple areas in the Fever’s loss to Magic. Standing at 5-8, the guard has the height to see the whole floor and made a bunch of nice passes into the post that a shorter guard likely wouldn’t have seen. As a freshman, she hit the second most threes on a Parkland team that won 19 games, but showed versatility Sunday by crashing the boards and playing tenacious defense (two steals) along with finding open teammates, even if they were struggling to finish around the rim.

Breana Delaney (2023 | NJ ShoreShots 17U | St. John Vianney, N.J.)
One of the big recipients of Cavanaugh’s unselfishness was Delaney, who led the ShoreShots with 24 points in the loss to NEPA Elite. The 5-9 shooting guard was super-efficient from the floor, going 9-of-11 overall, including one of her two 3-point attempts; she also knocked down a couple mid-range jumpers. Delaney was strong on the glass, too, grabbing all six of her rebounds on the offensive end, allowing her to get a number of second-chance points. 


Recent Maine pledge Caroline Dotsey (above) showed off her improved range in a win over the NJ Panthers. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

Caroline Dotsey (2023 | Lady Running Rebels 17U | Haverford)
The 6-2 Dotsey had a solid junior season with the Fords, who made it to the PIAA Class 6A tournament and were one of three teams (along with Abington and Archbishop Carroll) to lose to undefeated powerhouse Plymouth Whitemarsh by less than double digits. Dotsey parlayed that success into a commitment to the University of Maine a few weeks ago. The eventful summer continued Sunday as she poured in 22 points and nine rebounds in a 53-41 victory over NJ Panthers Black 17Us. The biggest improvement in her game has been stretching her range out to the three-point line, which she displayed again by hitting two 3s.

Frances Doyle (2025 | Potomac Valley Thunder 15U | Chevy Chase, Md.)
Doyle displayed a good handle for a listed power forward that allowed her to get to her spots. Her 5-10 frame helps her get an effective quick-release, midrange jumper over the defender which she pulled off multiple times in scoring 11 points in Thunder’s loss to Rebels. Her length on the defensive end was problematic as she swatted five shots. The Maryland native also grabbed five boards.

Jada Elston (2023 | NJ Soldiers 16U | Middle Twp., N.J.)
Young for her grade and thus playing down on the 16U squad, Elston provided a seasoned presence on the court for the Soldiers, a four-year varsity starter bringing a lot of gametime to the table. And she was in control, scoring 16 points as the Soldiers took out the LI Lightning, 42-37, in a 16U bracket game on Sunday morning; Elston knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and got to the lane, finishing well with both hands; she also grabbed seven rebounds. 

Anna Foley (2023 | EVOElite 17U | Andover, Mass.)
Before helping lead EVOElite into the Final Four of the 17U HGSL bracket, Foley impressed in a play-in game on Sunday night to get to the Sweet 16, scoring 12 points in a win over Lehigh Valley Fever, including the go-ahead three-point play in the final 30 seconds on a mid-range jumper. The 6-2 forward’s stat line was certainly solid, with six rebounds, two steals, and a block and assist, but she also stood out for her overall feel for the game and fluidity at her size, able to play with the ball in her hands and made great passes, with a really nice arc on her jumper. More than a dozen schools have offered, and it’s not difficult to see why.

Brynn McCurry (2023 | United NJ | Sparta, N.J.)
McCurry’s a name for CoBL readers to remember, as she’ll be playing for Villanova in 2023-24, and it was easy to see why Denise Dillon and staff liked the Sparta wing in a 62-55 win over the Lady Runnin’ Rebels in a 17U Elite Eight game. McCurry was super-efficient and effective on the floor, going 6-of-9 from the floor and 4-of-4 from the line for 16 points, grabbing nine rebounds, including three on the offensive end. McCurry mostly played the ‘3’ and ‘4’ for United, which has numerous point guards, and she didn’t force anything, taking what was given to her and working hard around the rim, with a few nice drives for layups as well. 


Kiyomi McMiller (above) is one of the top guard prospects in the country, with 30+ offers. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

Kiyomi McMiller (2024 | NEPA Elite | Trinity Collegiate, S.C.)
Really, McMiller should be in a category by herself. The 5-7 guard from Silver Spring (Md.) was leaving spectators saying “wow” from her first few touches, where she immediately demonstrated her outstanding handles and speed with the ball in her hands, her ability to get to whatever spot she wanted on the court and score from absolutely everywhere. She scored 41 points in a 78-68 win over the NJ ShoreShots in one of the best games of the whole tournament, dropping six 3-pointers, including some deep step-backs that were well beyond the high-school arc. McMiller displayed her terrific athleticism in grabbing nine rebounds, leaping into the air for most of them, and also dished out five assists. She said she has 30+ offers, and while she didn’t want to name any names, it’s not hard to guess what type of programs might be involved (hint: the really good ones). 

Mackenzie Perluke (2024 | NEPA Elite 17U | Wyoming Valley West)
While McMiller was certainly a dominant force during NEPA Elite’s win over the ShoreShots, Perluke put together a really strong game of her own. The 5-8 point guard was strong with the ball in her hands, getting through double-teams and into the lane, finishing 4-of-6 from the floor and 9-of-10 from the line for 17 points, certainly an efficient evening. Playing up a year on the 17U squad — albeit one that had only one 2023 playing on this event — Perluke handled the physicality well and didn’t get rushed or turn the ball over.

Reynah Rattliff (2025 | Mid-Atlantic Magic 15U | Archbishop Ryan)
The final stat line isn’t eye-opening: five points, four assists, two rebounds, three steals. Rattliff’s overall play while watching courtside certainly was. The 5-7 rising sophomore guard who transferred from Archbishop Wood to Ryan this offseason impacted that game in various aspects and controlled the pace for the majority of the Magic 15Us’ 47-38 victory over Lehigh Valley Fever. The main part of her game that jumped out was ball handling, as it seemed impossible for the defense to steal the ball or get her to pick up her dribble. If a double team came, Rattliff just split it. She also got her team out in transition and was the fastest player on the court. As the outside shot continues to develop, Rattliff should only improve. The handle, athleticism, and intensity on both sides of the ball are already there.

Aniya Rowe (2024 | XGen Elite 16U | Bishop Kearney)
A 5-8 point guard, Rowe was great with the ball in her hands on Sunday night in a 16U showcase game against the Mid-Atlantic Magic. A starting guard on a Bishop Kearney squad that won the New York AA state championship this season, Rowe certainly has a confident demeanor on the court, getting her team into its action without getting bothered by whatever the defense threw at her. She was smooth attacking the rim and had nice form on her shot, while also grabbing nine rebounds in a hard-fought, defensive game. She’s already got three D-I offers, including Binghamton and Buffalo, and more mid-major types are interested.

Lena Stein (2025 | Lady Running Rebels 15U | Perkiomen Valley)
Stein did a little bit of everything in leading the Rebels 15U squad to a 49-31 win over Potomac Valley Thunder on Sunday. The 5-9 wing played energetic defense resulting in a steal and a block and multiple tipped passes. She was also active on the boards grabbing a handful of rebounds. Stein’s slashing to the rim, whether it be drives with the ball in her hand or off-ball cuts, was vigorous every time. She converted an and-one and then used her constant aggressiveness as a ploy to hit a turnaround jumper on her defender a few possessions later.

~~~

Honorable Mention

Julianna Almeida (2024 | NJ ShoreShots | Saddle River, N.J.), Jessica Aponik (2024 | Mid-Atlantic Magic | Germantown Ac.), Madison Bernhardt (2024 | NJ Soldiers | Our Lady of Mercy, N.J.), Keziah Brantley (2023 | Lehigh Valley Fever | Kutztown Area HS), Rian Dotsey (2025 | Lady Running Rebels 15U | Haverford), Sydney Fenn (2024 | XGen Elite 16U | Compass Prep, Az.), Marisa Francione (2024 | Lady Runnin’ Rebels | Conestoga), Iris Hoffman (2024 | LI Lightning | Walt Whitman, N.Y.), Lola Ibarrondo (2024 | Mid-Atlantic Magic | Neshaminy), Brenae Jones (2024 | NJ Panthers Black 17U | Bound Brook, N.J.), Grace-Marie Lesko (2023 | Lehigh Valley Fever | Northampton), Briana McFerran (2025 | Mid-Atlantic Magic 15U | Lower Moreland), Laine McGurk (2023 | Lady Runnin Rebels | West Chester Rustin), Lily Milewski (2025 | Mid-Atlantic Magic 15U | Conwell Egan), Madison Palek (2024 | NJ Soldiers | Middle Twp., N.J.), Priyanka Ponnam (2025 | XGen Elite 16U | George School), Annie Ryan (2023 | NJ Panthers Black 17U | Westfield, N.J.), Abby Sharpe (2023 | Lady Runnin’ Rebels | Plymouth Whitemarsh), Caleigh Sperling (2024 | Lady Runnin’ Rebels | North Penn), Alexandra Sweeney (2023 | United NJ | Sparta, N.J.), Sofia Vitucci (2024 | Lady Runnin’ Rebels | Pennsbury), Reese Zemitis (2024 | Mid-Atlantic Magic | Neshaminy)


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