Winter Jam 8th Grade Tip Sheet (2025)

I get a rush when I see new talent, I always have and I always will because it’s good for the game yet what I also enjoy is watching the progression of young players, this is why I encourage players to keep working on their games as well as put themselves in front of knowledgeable evaluators with no agendas whatsoever, I happen to be one yet I’m also the parent of a WNBA player so a lot of the meaningless glitter that catches eyes on social media just leaves me speechless but you’ll always find out where I’ll be by clicking on the EVENTS tab on my web site, I’ll be evaluating a couple of INDIVIDUAL SHOWCASES in the Dallas area on January 24th and February 20th-21st, all players will be evaluated

I got a chance to evaluate an abundance of players over this past weekend, the Lady Lions held off a fierce comeback from Pro Skills to win the championship but I was even more excited at the players who just got after it and showed they are on the verge of being label “next level” prospects as well as those who I already know are going play not only at the next level yet I’m ready to drop the #D1Lock on them but here are just some of the young ladies who caught my eye, follow me on social media, the icons above the website will take you there because I got a lot coming from this event so here are some of the standouts that I saw

2025

Brianna Jones-5’6 PG (Lady Lions)

Jones understands the game starts at the one so watching her handle the ball effortlessly with either hand, going full speed definitely were good signs flashing but her explosiveness off the dribble at this stage will be huge throughout her career. She’s strong, very athletic, and creates her shot under pressure, this is from mid to very long but she also can take defenders and finish after contact, and that, as well as her being able to see the floor are all good tools to have, not to leave out her defense and solid BB-IQ

Adrian Carpenter-5’7 SF (GOC)

Carpenter creates her shot under pressure, she handles the ball the same way, under pressure so her midrange or attacking the basket are among her stronger assets yet she’s athletic, she goes hard and has very good upside

Breanna Evans-5’8 SF (GOC)

Evans athleticism was in full force because she does something I love seeing players do, especially at the younger ages and that’s play the passing lane. Her speed and ballhandling combine with that will account for easy baskets yet she can also take defenders with ease off the dribble

Isabelle Hicks-F (Panthers)

Hicks attacks from various angles and she did it over and over but more importantly she also finished. Good athleticism as well as upside

Gracie Ammons-F (Panthers)

Ammons has a good frame and understands how to use it in the paint. She rebounds on both ends and showed she could finish strongly

Erianna Gooden-6’0 PG (Pro Skills 2025)

Gooden runs the one well, her ability to not only see the floor but thread the needle is ahead of the game and her passes are not only strong. crisp and on the money, she thinks the game and is very vocal on the court, all #THROWBACK qualities yet she’s not the prototypical point guard, she has range and an explosive jumper yet she also attack the rim fiercely and finishes after contact

Erikka Gooden-5’11 SF (Pro Skills 2025)

Gooden, yes they’re twins, punishes in the paint and I’m talking about on both ends of the court yet her mental toughness was shown as she came back after bloodied nose to help ignite several runs. She falls into the “you won’t outwork me” category, she rebounds on both and of the floor, understands how to throw the outlet yet she finishes strongly on the inside and plays solid defense

Katie Allen-5’6 G (Pro Skills 2025)

Allen immediately caught my eye on opening day and watching her not only create her jumper but knock it down consistently was definitely pleasing to me. She elevates on her jumper, yes she can create it and her release is fluid and quick but she also showed she could catch and shoot as well as take defenders off the dribble form either sides of the court

Raegan Bugai-5’0 G (On Point)

Bugai understands the game and also sees the floor well so her passes were crisp and on the money, she handled the ball well attacking the basket and she also showed she could create her shot

2026

Sadie Franklin-5’5 SG (Lady Lions

Franklin understands how to create her shot, she did it all weekend and she knows when to take it and where to take it from. Her form is nice, her release is quick and she dropped it with accuracy from mid to long-range yet she also showed she could hit the pull-up jumper in transition, and dropping the stop and pop is no easy task

N’Kiyah Burge-5’9 PF (Lady Lions)

Burge’s upside is unlimited, factor in she’s long and athletic and playing up so when you add her size and skill-set, she’s going to create many problems as well as give a few nightmares trying to defend, one play in particular had her going coast to coast and elevating for the right handed layup yet switched hands in mid-air to finish, I haven’t seen many do that over my 20 years observing girl’s basketball but the fact that she does so many things instinctively just puts her in great shape as she rebounds, defends, plays the passing lane scores multiple ways

Mylazjah Gross-5’10 F/P (On Point)

Gross youth and size is intriguing so her upside is what’s really got me thinking. Still raw in many areas, her instincts are good and she reacts well, two big things I look for in young players but her athleticism is good, she’s fluid and under control and I can see the energy she emits on both ends of the court, either defending and rebounding strongly or attacking the rim

Addie Lanham- (Washington Warriors)

Lanham has good size and showed she could create her shot either to attack the basket, she did often and finished numerous times after the lick yet she also showed she had good range, that from the mid to long so watching her understand how to take good shots, as well as get hers when they needed or in the flow was good to see

Jayden Wells-5’3 G (Washington Warriors)

Wells understands her role, she plays within herself and just does so many things that may not show up on a scoresheet yet she also understands the game and you probably want to pay attention to her when she has the ball because she showed she could knock down the midrange