Who is on the 19U Bubble?

[BrooklynSaints]

Looking at last years 19 U team, who are the players that are on the bubble?

The general answer is everyone but if we look deeper some player are a lock while others who made the team last year will be disappointed come Sunday morning.

Tina not returning will open a spot but we have several players to fill one opening.
Note: Appel is thought to return from Ankle sprain.

EDD, Angie Bjorklund, - both players were injured last year its expected they will make the team.

Jasmine Thomas - Hot topic last year when she was omitted from team. I would guess she is on a mission to make it this year.

Is there anyone else who could rock the boat? Initial reports sound good for Pohlen.

Here is my final 12:

Jayne Appel ( Pleasant Hill, Calif.), 6-4, Stanford University

Vicki Baugh (Sacramento, Calif.), 6-4, Sacramento H.S./*Tennessee

Angie Bjorklund (Spokane, Wash.), 6-0, University H.S./*Tennessee

Kelley Cain (Atlanta, Ga.), 6-6, St. Pius X H.S./*Tennessee

Elena Delle Donne (Wilmington, Del.), 6-5, Ursuline Academy

Jantel Lavender (Cleveland, Ohio), 6-4, Cleveland Central Catholic H.S./*Ohio State

Italee Lucas (Las Vegas, Nev.), 5-9, Centennial H.S./*North Carolina

Maya Moore (Lawrenceville, Ga.), 6-0, Collins Hill H.S./*Connecticut

Kayla Pedersen (Fountain Hills, Ariz.), 6-4, Red Mountain H.S./*Stanford

Khadijah Rushdan (Wilmington, Del.), 5-9, St. Elizabeth H.S./*Rutgers

Jasmine Thomas (Fairfax, Va.), 5-9, Oakton H.S./*Duke

Krystal Thomas (Orlando, Fla.), 6-5, The First Academy/*Duke

[ifyousayso]

...will be on this team. She brings experience in playing at the collegiate level and in the latest blog by Glenn appears to be showing out.

[BrooklynSaints]

...will be on this team. She brings experience in playing at the collegiate level and in the latest blog by Glenn appears to be showing out.

Well its easy to add people on the list. Its taking people off that I have the problem.

There are only 12 players on the team. Are you ok with my list except for Wright?
Bite the bullet and take a player off ?

[udy11]

Not sure who's on the bubble but they are gonna have some tough decisions to make. A excellent group of players. A couple of kids who will not make the team, like the posts have improved greatly over the past year. The best of the best.

[glenn]

I guess we'll see tonight how Cain's ankle is. Also Jeanette Pohlen took a whack on the nose. If I were picking the team, I'd have her on it. She's been all over the place and shooting the ball terrifically.

BSaints, you might have to add:

Jeanette Pohlen
Drey Mingo
Marah Strickland
Monica Wright

But, of course, the issue, as you say, is who gets taken off in their place? Right now, I'd say Angie Bjorklund, Italee Lucas and Krystal Thomas will have to step it up.

[ifyousayso]

Saints you have a great list with 11 of the 12 being in the top ten of their respective class. So, with that being said...I still like Monica Wright for making it a tough cut for the evaluators/coaches.

Who comes off the list...I suppose it will all come down to who wanted it the most and gave the best performance at these trials.

I like Monica because she has the experience of playing a tough ACC schedule. She has a year of strength training that surpasses what most of the 2007 contenders have had and she has nice size at 5'11" ACC rookie of the year doesnt hurt too much either. I agree with Glenn with Bjorkland, Thomas and Lucas all having to bring their AAAA games to beat out Wright.

[ifyousayso]

I guess we'll see tonight how Cain's ankle is. Also Jeanette Pohlen took a whack on the nose. If I were picking the team, I'd have her on it. She's been all over the place and shooting the ball terrifically.

BSaints, you might have to add:

Jeanette Pohlen
Drey Mingo
Marah Strickland
Monica Wright

But, of course, the issue, as you say, is who gets taken off in their place? Right now, I'd say Angie Bjorklund, Italee Lucas and Krystal Thomas will have to step it up.

So that means possibly four on Saints list could go to make room for Pohlen, Mingo, Strickland and Wright.

Glenn how is EDD performing?

[BrooklynSaints]

So that means possibly four on Saints list could go to make room for Pohlen, Mingo, Strickland and Wright.

Glenn how is EDD performing?

I don't think Cain spraining an ankle will matter. Pederson was injured (knee) last year and they still put her on the team.

Mingo looked very good last year. She is strong. Not sure if her style is what the coaches are looking for.

I've never seen Wright but if she was the ACC rookie of the year that says a lot.

Italee Lucas is a point not sure if removing her will upset the makeup of the team. Lucas was very strong at try outs last year. I felt Lucas and Rushdan were standouts. What is different this year? Is the competition better ? Or shots just not falling?

If Pohlen & Pederson are both good enough to make USA, what does that say about their recruiting class? Is is better than Dukes class ?

[BrooklynSaints]

I'm not hearing anything about Lorin Dixon. NY fans want to know.

How is Lorin matching up with the best ?

[YourCrimsonNightmare]

It's too bad we couldn't have two entries in the U19 world tourney this year. If we did, we might have gone 1-2, with triple-OT in the world championship game.

The talent level in the springs this year is insane.

[BrooklynSaints]

It's too bad we couldn't have two entries in the U19 world tourney this year. If we did, we might have gone 1-2, with triple-OT in the world championship game.

The talent level in the springs this year is insane.

I think you are underestimating the competition. It won't be as easy as you think when the team gets overseas. I think the 21 U team learned that lesson last year.

[udy11]

Dixon looks good pushing the tempo. I believe Strickland will make the team, she is looking strong shooting the rock, handling the rock.

Maya Moore, undeniable the best player in the country, regardless of class. Just dominant in every way a coach would want. Humble but confident.

[BrooklynSaints]

Dixon looks good pushing the tempo. I believe Strickland will make the team, she is looking strong shooting the rock, handling the rock.

Maya Moore, undeniable the best player in the country, regardless of class. Just dominant in every way a coach would want. Humble but confident.

Do you mean the best High school player in the country or the best player in the country?

[kage]

Since Monica Wright's been mentioned, can anyone give any updates on how Natasha Vital is doing?

[glenn]

Cain should make the team, but, Saints, Pedersen stood out in spite of ankle injuries last year.

Dixon is playing well. As I wrote in tonight's blog entry, I'd put her on the team.

EDD is playing well. She's been light's out from everywhere and really playing within herself. With the guards taking things over, she has been among those (along with Jantel Lavender) who aren't getting as many looks and touches as she should.

[BrooklynSaints]

Thanks Glenn, for timely updates. I'm setting my watch now for each one. :)

Glad to hear NY is being represented well by Dixon. Hopefully she will at least be an alternate.

We had an on going discussion earlier in the year comparing Dixon and D. Robinson. Last year Robinson was an alternate. I have not heard you mention Robinson this year. Most likely because there are so many players, its hard to notice everyone.

Question:
1) If there was only one spot available do you take Robinson or Dixon ?

2) I've seen both players play but it is difficult to judge speed because speed is relative to the players you are playing against. Who do you think is faster?

Good to hear about Jasmine Thomas. I had her on my list. I figured she would be on a mission this year.

If we swap Rushdan & Lucas for Thomas & Pohlan is that an even trade? Will the team be better or just different?

Gartrell is a streak shooter. When she gets hot look out. she is tough to stop. The problem is she needs minutes to find her stroke. Minutes are hard to come by in USA basketball. Gartrell shot 21% from the field last year.

[udy11]

I noticed Vital and you can tell her confidence was really high after the end of season she had. She has played well.

The thing about Dixon that's a little different is that she seems to get a few more rebounds than Robinson and loose balls. While Robinson does seem to be just as quick with the ball.

Rushdan is the best pg in camp but just doesn't seem to be in the best of shape just yet. Lucas looks good and looks like she could step on campus in Chapel Hill and contribute.

Moore best h.s. player but you know what, I bet it won't take long for to be one of, if not the best in the college ranks.

I also like the girl from Notre Dame. Tough, good shot.