ATLANTA, GA - Brandon Clay known as the mogul of girls youth basketball in the Southeast has done it again. Like Jay-Z in the rap world everything Clay put his hands on is turning into a hit and this weekend with his 7th Annual All Southeast Showcase held at Georgia Tech CRC facilities was no exception
. This event has featured over 30 NCAA signees, two McDonald All-Americans and three WBCA All-Americans. Past attendees saw the likes of Rashonda McCants (North Carolina), Kalana Greene (UConn), DeWonna Bonner (Auburn), Chandrica Smith (Norte Dame), Christina Pace (Mississippi State) and Jessica Starling (Michigan). This year's event is star-studded as well, starting with top freshman Kaela Davis and Diamond DeShelds of Norcross, super soph Sydney Wallace of Northview, senior guard Jacquelean Weathers of Mill Creek, junior Elem Ibiam of Spalding (South Carolina commit), freshman Kristina Nelson of GAC and junior Meghan Keough of Tampa Catholic (FL) just to name a few.
Clay has mastered the combination of individual skill workouts, competitive camp games for college coaches to evaluate talent and host a 48 team basketball tournament all in one weekend. Based on the number of college coaches in the gym Friday night they loved Clay's recipe. Over 75 college coaches were in attendance from all over the country to see all the elite talent in the gym on Friday night. In fact, I would bet that it was just a many college coaches as campers. 
Here are some of the top performances we saw on day one:
Kristina Nelson, 6-foot-3 post is simply a force down low. Nelson was unstoppable in the post and loves to bang. Already has a college ready body and game to match with her great footwork and excellent touch around the basket. Runs the floor and moves well around the basket where she normally finds loose rebounds and easy stick backs
Sydney Wallace, 5-foot-8 combo guard. Remember that girl who could beat all the guys at school. This is Ms. Wallace. She has a very mature game for just as a sophomore. Her excellent ball handling skills allows her to beat defenders off the dribble and her step back jumper keeps her opponents honest. Her recruitment list is too long to list. She is fun to watch. You don't believe me check out her video in the front page.
Kaela Davis, 6-foot-2 big combo guard who is long and very skilled. Davis is a silent assassin. We saw a very patience lady on the floor calculating her next move, often out thinking her opponents and then picking them apart. Davis is serious threat from beyond the arc and can take you off the dribble and finish in traffic. Extra bonus, she likes to defend.
Elem Ibiam, 6-foot-4 post was not the tallest lady in the camp but definitely has the most upsize. She has a large frame with long arms to match which she demonstrated to her opponents throughout the evening. She displayed her length as she blocked a shot, recovered the block shot in the air and started the break with an overhead outlet pass all without bring the ball below her head. Mostly a post defender at this time but her offensive skills will improve in time, if so, watch out!
Caitlyn Darrah, 6-foot-1 true wing that just gets it done. Darrah turned heads when she snagged a rebound in the post, started the break and finished at the cup. While she may not get invited to the tea party she will get her fair share of invitations to play college basketball for good program. Don't let her long and thin build fool you because she can post you on the block and hit the turnaround jumper.
Diamond DeShields, 6-foot-3 combo guard is not a diamond in the rough. DeShield is that diamond without the flaws. Her shot was a little off due to a recent shoulder injury but you could still tell she is special. She is gifted with length, athleticism and talent. A scary combination when you add a killer cross-over, great foot speed and a high release point on her jumper. She has all the skills of a big time player.
Andraya Carter, 5-foot-8 point guard showed why she is a top recruit in her class. Carter has blazing speed with the ball in either hand and loves to get out into the open floor where she works her best magic. She use her quickness to breakdown her defenders to penetrated to the basket or find her open teammate. Very crafty with or with the ball and makes good floor decisions. She makes her recruitment easy by sporting a 4.0 GPA.
Alexandra Demery, 5-foot-9 guard shoulder was all taped up but did not stop her from playing hard all evening. She displayed her toughness as she rebounded her position, hit the mid-range jumper and put on ball defensive pressure on whomever she was guarding often forcing a turnover.
Jacquelean Weathers, 5-foot-8 guard with a college ready body and talent to match. Although, Weathers is undecided about the where she to going to school next year she sure did not hurt her chances. She did everything that a college coach is looking for, she plays with intensity, rebounds her position, makes the right pass, is a good on ball and team defender and can score in bunches if needed. Has a bright future.
Tori Walden, was the tallest lady at the event at 6-foot-6 and seems to be still growing. Walden is a skilled big who does her best work from the perimeter. Despite her large frame she has a soft shooting touch that extends beyond the arc. Good footwork in the post and an excellent passer. You can easy see Walden as a face-up four in a number of programs in her future.
Dominique Wilson, 5-foot-8 point guard with skills. Wilson is good young point guard with nice shooting stoke. She was working hard in the individual drills and camp games. She is a heady point guard and good floor general. Quick with the ball and good decision maker.
Clay's work is not done yet. Saturday, the "End of the Road Championships" features the top 48 team in the Southeast in 2009 and Sunday, the "All Southeast Showcase" part II will be session. Both events will be held a Georgia Tech CRC, 750 Ferst Drive Atlanta, GA.
