By; DeAjai Dawkins
Tournament MOP: 2024 Gracynn Gough (Charlotte Catholic)
Gracynn was a dominant interior force all week at the forward spot, highlighted by her relentless rebounding. Gough possesses an advanced faceup game, especially for a rising sophomore, and showed an ability to score from a number of spots within the perimeter. Gough showed comfort from beyond the arc as well. She should go on to experience a very successful remaining three years of high school
2022 Senali Moss (South Meck)
The North Meck Lady Vikings Invitational’s championship game MVP, Senali displayed her scoring arsenal on a consistent basis from the very first day of the tournament. Moss is an assertive scorer from all 3 levels that knows how to operate within the flow of her disciplined South Meck offense. Moss will undoubtedly have a noteworthy season, playing on a team that looks to compete toward a state championship.
2024 Ashlee Shaw (West Cabarrus)
Ashlee displayed a combination of grit and power while cutting to the rim and drawing attention from opposing defenses. Shaw reminds me of another one of Coach Tolonda Rose Simmons’ standout players from her time at Hickory Ridge, Nia Daniel. Daniel is a former McDonald’s All-American nominee that went on to sign with UNC, and is now playing at the University of Alabama. Coach Simmons has already begun displaying the same trust with Shaw that she had with Daniel, a promising sign for the rising sophomore.
2022 Ioanna Giannopoulou (Myers Park)
One of my favorite players of the entire event, Ioanna Giannopoulou is a hidden gem, serving as the perfect catalyst for this talented group. Ioanna is a versatile wing, with a seemingly endless array of capabilities. She puts the ball on the floor, gets to the rim, and makes smart, sharp passes. Good positional size at 6’1, I believe she should be attracting scholarship-level schools.
2024 Reese Wilson (Myers Park)
When watching this talented Myers Park group, I’d imagine most people would leave talking about 2024 Reese Wilson. Reese is a fiery scoring guard with the confidence and composure of a player destined for college basketball. She shoots at a high level both off the catch and created her own shot numerous times off the dribble. Her development will likely be scary by her senior year.
2023 Navaeh Farmer (North Meck)
Navaeh is a lightning-quick lead guard that constantly got past her defender for an attempt at the rim, or a sharp pass to an open teammate. There aren’t many guards quick enough to keep up with Farmer off the dribble, and she’s capable of impressive passes if you manage to stay with her. Farmer led each game for the Lady Vikings in this event and will look to do so this season.
2023 Kirsten Lewis-Williams (Lake Norman)
Arguably the most advanced player of the entire week, Kirsten Lewis-Williams approaches the game at an elite-level. Kirsten is a sound offensive talent, with a fluid handle and very high IQ. She’s capable of scoring for herself, but ultimately is recognized for making winning plays.
2023 Aly Wadkovsky (Lake Norman)
One of the two interior forces of the week, Elon signee Aly Wadkovsky was the best Center of this year’s North Meck Lady Vikings Invitational. Wadkovsky establishes herself on the low block and uses a combination of strength and touch to finish, oftentimes easily.
2024 Delanie Hill (Providence)
Sharpshooting Delanie Hill made a solid first impression upon my arrival on Day 2 of the North Meck Lady Vikings Invitational. She finished her first game with 24 points and showed an ability to hit from all 3-levels, comfortably. She should have supreme confidence entering this season.
2023 Kyla Bryant (Salisbury)
Coming off an ACL tear, Bryant was cleared for game action on the first day of the North Meck Lady Vikings Invitational, and performed well enough to be recognized on the All-Tournament list. The combo guard possesses solid positional size, showed the ability to operate from all three levels, and showed facilitative instincts. Bryant did all of this while experiencing the natural lack of full confidence in the afflicted leg following an ACL tear.
** 2024 Blanca Thomas (Charlotte Catholic)
Was only able to play two out of the four days, but deserves recognition on this list as she was arguably a bigger difference-maker than anyone