We're about to enter two of the most chaotic weekends on the youth girls basketball calendar.
Two live period windows appear this month, spanning July 10-13 and 24-27. College coaches at all levels will be scattered around the country to fill their notes for the final time this summer. And for grassroots teams, this month isn't just about showcasing for schools. Most top circuits will host a session of league play the first weekend, and then their championships conclude the season during that second live period.
We'll see New England teams all across the country during the next three weeks. It can be dizzying to keep track of, so I've put together a list of major locations and events to monitor. The below showcases should include almost all of the region's major AAU programs, and I'll be tracking them from afar throughout July.
Here's a guide, organized by host site, of where the top New England AAU programs will travel this month.
Louisville, Kentucky
Run 4 The Roses Classic (July 9-11) — The first of back-to-back showcases, Run 4 The Roses is, by sheer volume, one of the largest events on the grassroots calendar. At the Classic portion, Elite 40 circuit teams like Connecticut Basketball Club, and the Bay State Jaguars and Mass Huskies' secondary teams, will compete in their own pool.
Run 4 The Roses Championship (July 12-13) — This essentially brings most of the same teams from the Classic event along through the end of the live period window. Again, the Run 4 The Roses Championship has separate E40 pools leading its 17 total groupings.
Under Armour Session II (July 10-13) — As Run 4 The Roses goes on, Under Armour will also host the second weekend of its circuit play for UAA and UA Rise teams at the Kentucky Expo Center. The Bay State Jaguars are New England's lone UAA representative, but several teams appear in UA Rise competition. Among them: the Jaguars' second teams, CT Northstars, Dana Barros Elite and MT Elite Ducks.
Select Events Summer Championship (July 24-27) — The most important showcase in Kentucky by stakes will be Select Events' championship tournament during the final live weekend. Both the Power 24 and Select 40 finals take place here.
MCW Starz and iBelieve Elite represent the two New England programs in Select's top Power 24 league. They have second teams in the Select 40 league, where you'll also find the Maine Firecrackers and New England Storm top rosters. I expect both MCW and iBelieve to be in the upper-middle tier of Power 24 and to win at least a game or two in bracket play.
Hamilton, Ohio
Select Events Super Showcase (July 9-11) — Select Events hosts its second session of Power 24 and Select 40 play at Spooky Nook in Ohio. The Power 24 and Select 40 leagues will play here and at the following Midwest Summer Classic. Outside of Select's circuit teams, we'll find plenty more New England representation. Among the competing teams: Boston Showstoppers, BCRI, Circle Point Basketball, CT Starters, Shooting Touch and Team Sims.
Select Events Midwest Summer Classic (July 12-13) — This is a follow-up event to the Super Showcase that finishes out the first July live period, drawing many of the same teams.
Select Events The Finale (July 24-27) — While the Select Summer Championships take place in Kentucky, The Finale will also bring a large group of grassroots teams back to Ohio for the last live period. This tournament hasn't posted its competing teams yet.
Under Armour Finals (July 24-27) — Under Armour concludes its circuit play in Ohio with UAA and UA Rise championships. At the UAA level: The Bay State Jaguars' 2027 group is 3-2 in circuit play so far and has potential for a decent run. But I think the younger Jags teams in 2028 and 2029 are even better relative to their competition, with the 2028 group 4-1 and the 2029 squad a perfect 5-0. We'll see if one of them can capture a title.
Mishawaka, Indiana
Adidas 3SSB Session II (July 10-13) — Adidas doesn't typically follow the routine stops of the other grassroots circuits, so we'll see the national brand move to Mishawaka Fieldhouse for this weekend. Mass Rivals is the only New England program on the Adidas circuit.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Nike EYCL Session 3 (July 10-13) — Though New England doesn't field a Nike EYBL girls team, the Mass Huskies are the lead squad in the EYCL. Their top teams will compete in Vegas during this live weekend.
Chicago, Illinois
Nike Nationals (July 24-27) — The Mass Huskies will take on their season-ending tournament. The 17U EYCL squad is 6-4 through 10 games of circuit play and should be competitive in the middle of a massive field. Definitely note the 15U team that has rapidly emerged as one of New England's best in that age bracket. They're 9-1 in EYCL games so far.
Manheim, Pennsylvania
Hoop Group Summer Championships (July 24-27) — Hoop Group's Showcase League includes a number of New England teams, and this weekend will wrap up the grassroots season for a lot of the smaller programs around the region. Though Hoop Group hasn't released the full field yet, I'll watch for D4S, Team NSSA, Lone Wolf Athletics, Springfield Lady Ballers and Boston Showstoppers, plus more.
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Adidas 3SSB Session III (July 24-27) — Rock Hill has become the go-to spot for Adidas to crown its champions. Mass Rivals will be the only local competitor, and of its three teams, I think the 16U roster has the best chance at a run in a strong field.
