City of Basketball Love

By Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue)
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Made the trip to Sportika in Manalapan, N.J. for the Select Events New Jersey Spring Classic on Sunday to check out one of the last events before next weekend’s live period. There were quite a few local squads and a few of the area’s top talents playing for some big-time programs. Couldn’t catch the day’s whole slate of action but here are a few standouts from the games I did get to see:

Rose Azmoudeh (2024 | LI Renegades 17U)
Azmoudeh has one of the sweetest looking shots you will find and showed that off with a 3-point barrage against K-Low early in the day. The 5-9 guard from New York was comfortable shooting in motion as she came off screens. She also pulled-up from deep off the bounce and looked smooth as a spot-up shooter as well, getting off her shot quickly so she didn’t need much time or space. Azmoudeh also showed off the ability to put the ball on the floor and kick out to her other teammates for open looks as well.

Madison Francis (2025 | Team Northeast 17U)
Francis, who is ranked the No. 8 recruit in the Class of 2025 by ESPN, was an absolute force on both ends of the court against Exodus. She’s a 6-2 wing/forward with a non-stop motor and high-level skill and athleticism. Francis scored 16 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and also added five blocks and three assists. She crashed the defensive and offensive glass and protected the rim inside. She was comfortable with the ball in her hands, turning a rebound or steal into a one-woman fastbreak. Francis earned several trips to the line, putting the ball on the floor to get to the basket via both the right and left sides of the lanes.

Leah Harmon (2024 | NYC Exodus 17U)
Harmon was in attack mode from the start in an entertaining game against Team Northeast that was loaded with talent. A 5-6 guard who recently committed to Miami (Fla.) and is ranked No. 24 in the Class of 2024 by ESPN, Harmon finished with 19 points, four rebounds and a pair of steals and assists. She made tough finish after tough finish, often going to an up and under with her left hand to score. Harmon is adept at getting to the line and/or finishing through contact and also has some range. She’s relentless on defense as well.

Olivia Jones (2026 | Team Northeast 17U)
The freshman from powerhouse Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) is back at the 17U playing up two age groups this summer. She had 16 points and nine boards against Exodus, taking complete control of the game at times. Jones has a really tight handle that allows her to get wherever she wants to go on the court. She used a crossover to break down defenders and finish on both sides of the hoop or pull-up from the midrange, also hitting from deep as well. She consistently pushed the ball in transition and twisted and turned around defenders to score inside. Her athleticism showed up on the glass and quickness was apparent on both ends as well.

Kate Koval (2024 | NYC Exodus 17U)
Another Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) standout, the 6-5 Koval is ranked No. 3 in the Class of 2024 by ESPN. She has a polished post game and meshes her height and length with soft touch inside. She compiled 11 points and eight rebounds against Team Northeast, also knocking down a three from the top of the key. Koval added two blocks and steals apiece on the defensive end where she’s obviously a deterrent inside. Her most impressive ability on Sunday may have been her playmaking. She compiled four assists, dicing up the defense with her vision and passing ability to get her teammates easy buckets.

Kitty Randa (2024 | Heat Hoops 17U)
The 6-1 forward/wing was an All-SOL Liberty Division honorable mention selection at Hatboro-Horsham this past season. Randa was terrific in a Heat Hoops’ victory over Rockland Raiders showing off her versatility. She showed off some polished moves inside, finishing on both sides of the basket. She pushed the ball in transition and showed off her improving range as well, pulling up in the midrange while also showing some confidence from deep. On the defensive end she poked a few balls away and swatted a handful of others. In just her second season of AAU, it will be fun to see her game continue to grow.

Saniyah Washington (2025 | K-Low Elite Scott 17U)
The 5-4 guard was lighting it up on the other side of the floor during Azmoudeh’s hot shooting game, converting quite a few looks from deep from both the left and right wings. Washington, who plays her high school ball at MaST Charter, is lightning quick as well and liked to push the ball in transition. She played under control, however, not getting too rushed or forcing shots that weren’t right for her. After getting hot from deep, Washington used the pump fake to drive to the hoop and finish with finesse inside. She and teammates Amya Scott and Maya Johnson caused havoc on the perimeter for the K-Low defense as well.

Chasity Wilson (2025 | WeR1 Lady Sharks 16U)
The 5-5 guard from Caravel Academy (Del.) was all over the court in a win over LGB Select. Wilson reached double figures scoring and added quite a few steals and assists as well. She flashed some range and converted a tough and-one on offense as also made plays for her teammates in the halfcourt and in transition. The speedy guard was all over the place on defense as well, jumping into passing lanes to try and push the ball the other way.

Honorable Mention

Lottia Barnes (2025 | Rockland Raiders 17U), Lily Bross (2024 | Heat Hoops 17U), Cherish Bryant (2025 | WeR1 Lady Sharks 16U), Kayleigh Heckel (2024 | NYC Exodus 17U), Ruth Lanouette (2025 | LGB Select 16U), Amya Scott (2025 | K-Low Elite Scott 17U), Jordin Tate (2025 | WeR1 Lady Sharks 16U), Carrington “CeeJay” Thomas (2025 | K-Low Elite Scott 17U), Mariah Watkins (2024 | Team Northeast 17U)