Empire State Takeover

Thursday in Rochester… shall we? 🔊

Section V starts July at Primetime camp. Already posted on the socials about a few players - getting more in-depth here. Spent the final day of Coach Iglesia Free Basketball Camp taking in as much as possible. Some of the players that caught my attention and why… link in the comments (subscriber stuff) ⬇️

Players Featured Include:
2027 - Lucy Bush (📸1), Alyssa Cowart, Petra Hunt
2028 - Sophia Frayne, Denari Langston, Leena Mobeen (📸2), Eva Monoski, Darianna Weathers
2029 - Ja’Niyah Bell (📸3), Avery Kroening
2031 - Hadley Graham-Hicks (📸4), Harper Graham-Hicks

“Got any pics?” I hear it every time I’m in a gym. The answer: yes. Of you? Maybe.

The 📸 work is only a small part of this, but seasonal reminder that all photos from everywhere I attend get stored on the EST website. Subscribers can view & download.

Access everything at the link in the comments (separated by month) 🔗

Fell out of the habit of posting the gym pics to FB this spring & now into summer, but here’s the reminder that it hasn’t stopped 💨

Monday: Utica Notre Dame for ULK Premier League (college/post-college/select HS) in the main gym, opening night of ND’s high school summer league in the not-pictured secondary gym

Wednesday: local night, RPI for a quick look at NY Havoc practice, no Midwest for me this July so getting in as much as possible in the practice setting

Thursday: Rochester, Monroe HS for the final ‘playoff’ day of Primetime 585’s Coach Iglesia Free Basketball Camp

Find them wherever, keep tracking in every setting 🤓

Saturday in Ithaca… shall we again? 🗣️

Part 2 of the two-parter from my Ithaca run for Battle by the Lake features the underclassmen. Plenty of young guns brought the heat & made me get to chicken scratching 📝

A few of the Class of 2029-31 players that caught my eye and why, in 100 words or less… link in the comments (subscriber stuff) ⬇️

PLAYERS FEATURED INCLUDE:
2029 - Quinn Boardman, Samantha Bonnell (📸1), Ella Culbertson-Chaszar, Reese Jeamel (📸2), Avery Kroening, Annie Lindstrom, Na’le Malone, Savannah Simmons
2030 - Rayna Carter, Harper Eagan, Emma Johnson (📸3), Kinsley Shortslef (📸4)
2031 - Mia Browngardt

Saturday in Ithaca… shall we? 🗣️

I made the most of a day trip & chicken-scratched a lot at Battle by the Lake, so this is a two-parter. First stop is the upperclassmen.

A few of the Class of 2027-28 players that caught my eye and why, in 100 words or less… link in the comments (subscriber stuff) ⬇️

PLAYERS FEATURED INCLUDE:
2027: Sidney Anderson (📸1), Kylah Bednar (📸2), Sofia Falleti, Anna Moser (📸3), Synaa Waters
2028: Mila Bissett, Quinlan Blake, Gianna Buchiere, Sophia Frayne (📸4), Giana Hughey, Brooke Reddington

Some writing for your Friday.
The Small Town Chronicles 📝

- Tuesday in Herkimer (Mohawk Valley summer league)
- Wednesday in Oneonta (Delhi + Dillos, then Adapt Academy practice)

Some player mentions from the midweek travels… link in the comments (subscriber stuff) ⬇️

Players Highlighted Include:

2027: Harly Birdsall (📸1), Payton Comstock, Lexi Davis, Andy Podlas (📸2)
2029: Danielle Ennist (📸3), Aubree Keiffer, Lanie Nelen
2030: Viviana Huston (📸4), Emma Johnson, Aubrey Reddington

Traditional event pic 📸

Summer Kickoff in the 518… always a special night. 112 players in the gym across two sessions. Pretty much all regions of NY represented along with players from MA, PA, and VT.

Seasoned upperclassmen vets, promising up & comers, event first timers, and more. Some clawing to get on college radars, others that are being aggressively recruited already including a double-digit collection that hold D1 or D2 offers. Full row of college coaches. Familiar & new faces, compete/respond/grow, exposure opportunity… that’s what it’s about.

THANK YOU to all that made the 9th Annual EST Summer Kickoff a success!

Time for more house work catch-up and sleep 🙃

Who’s in :

It wouldn’t be complete without the tone setter 🫡 speedy true PG that’s exceptional at creating the pace she excels in, defends at a high level 94 feet, great court vision in the half-court, and the list goes on. Just scroll her feed, I’ve said/posted it all 🤷🏻‍♂️

2027 Aliyah Pearson (Colonie/NY Havoc)… locked in 🔒

THIS FRIDAY at Impact (518) 📍
Closing up shop in the 7-9 group.
30+ college coaches anticipated.
Registration open but space is limited!

Info & Register at the link in the comments 🔗

Who’s in :

Played the long game & now stands as one of Central New York’s top talents. 5’10” with length, bouncy wing athlete developing through a lot of lead guard reps this spring. D2 offered with additional D2 & high-end D3 recruitment - and still not close to her ceiling 🚀

2027 Kylah Bednar (CNS Girls Basketball/Syracuse Nets)… locked in 🔒

FRIDAY NIGHT at Impact (518) 📍
Catch Kylah closing it out in the 7-9 group.
30+ college coaches expected.
Registration open but space is limited!

Info & Register at the link in the comments 🔗

Who’s in :

High skill level, developing as a more well-rounded lead guard weapon, moxie for age… oh, and I guess she can shoot it a bit. Tracking toward being of the purest, most potent shooters the Capital District has produced in my time covering the game. The goods 🔋

2029 Avery Ostrander (BSPA DAWGS/NY HAVOC Player Development Program)… locked in 🔒

THIS FRIDAY at Impact (518) 📍
30+ college coaches anticipated.
Registration open but space is limited!

Info & Register at the link in the comments 🔗