WORCESTER, Mass. — Just before the rain and wind rolled in this weekend, NERR held its second girls Frosh/Soph Elite 75 Showcase at Worcester Academy.
This is one of the more valuable fall showcase events for me. I learned a lot about the 2029 and 2030 classes, whose spotlights are only growing as they move through high school. Friday's slate brought together some top prospects in New England who I know well, some new prep school transfers from out of the region who I wanted to watch for the first time, and even some surprising names from smaller area schools who I had never heard of before.
But the theme from the three-game slate: effort. I really appreciated the compete level from many players across multiple teams. Sometimes showcases can feel like they're about showing off buckets and dribble moves. But quite a few players appear on my standouts list for their hustle and defensive aptitude. It's fun to see high motors in such a young age group.
As always, a reminder that I write standouts off what I see — and I cannot see nearly everything at a showcase like this. But the event gave me plenty to write about. Here are 12 players who impressed me and who I will keep an eye out as they develop their games.
