JumpOffPlus.com Retro Rewind: Midwest Showdown – May 25, 2009

Before she chose Indiana, Taylor Agler of help with writing a dissertation Columbus, Ohio was a Midwest Showdown standout for All-Ohio.
*Photo by Ty Freeman

Editor’s Note: “Retro Rewind” is designed to provide our readers with a look back at current collegiate or professional players when they were high school prospects.

By: @BrandonClayPSB

CINCINNATI, OH – The Midwest Showdown – hosted by the All-Ohio travel program – has become a must-attend for teams around the country on Memorial Day Weekend. The event has over a hundred teams each May including some of the nation’s premier club programs and this year was no different. A list of the event’s standout players is below:

Natalie Achonwa – Hamilton, Canada – Team Ontario
If Achonwa lived in the states, she would be a Top 20 caliber prospect in the Class of 2010. She has real size, the ability to handle the basketball in the floor as well as play down low in the paint. The 6-foot-2 forward’s biggest attribute is her ability to lead her team late in games. With a little more range on her jumper, she’ll be a very tough matchup at the next level.



Taylor Agler – Columbus, Ohio – All Ohio 2013
A true point guard, Agler has the basketball IQ and skill that makes her potentially one of the best in her region if not nationally. A Class of 2013 graduate, she already has a real jumper out to the three-point line coupled with a slick handle on the basketball. The 5-7 eighth grader plays a lot like Class of 2010 prospect Camille Glymph from JL Mann Academy in essays on service to others Greenville, South Carolina.

Whitney Adams – Chicago, Illinois – Illinois Lady Broncos
Adams might have been the most complete power forward in the event with real size plus shooting range out to the three-point line, a mid-range jumper and the willingness to mix it up underneath. The 6-1 Class of 2011 graduate should be on track for a big July if she can keep that play up throughout the month.

Kelsi Baker – Mesquite, Texas – DFW T-Jack Elite
An undersized warrior in the low block, Baker – a Class of 2010 grad – showed good footwork and the touch to finish in traffic. Just a 6-0 power forward, she’ll have to develop her 15 foot jumper to be as effective as possible at the next level. She is naturally strong and time in the weight room in college will only enhance that for her.

Tiara Butler – Waldorf, Maryland – Team Unique
The Syracuse commit has really improved her game over the past twelve months adding a solid midrange pull-up jumper. A 5-9 off guard, Butler is a very good athlete and that will allow coach Quentin Hillsman to use her in a variety of ways on both ends in the fall of 2010. If Butler will continue to improve both her ball handling and long range shooting, she’ll be a player who can contribute early in her career.

Liza Clemons – Fort Wayne, Indiana – Lady Legit Family 15
Clemons – a Class of 2011 graduate – is 6-1 and has true power forward skill with a nice face-up jumper from homework research the highpost and the ability to run the floor. Her early commitment to Purdue makes her another one is a growing list of the state’s top players that are staying in-state to play for coach Sharon Versyp.


Elem Ibiam – Griffin, Georgia – Southeast Elite
Ibiam is a 6-4 emerging post in the Class of 2011. Sunday morning, she scored 16 points in the second half primarily on post feeds where she kept the ball high turned and finished at the rim. She also controlled the defensive glass throughout the game as well. Her free throw shooting should be a point of emphasis this off-season.

Tiffany Moore – Frisco, Texas – DFW T-Jack Elite
Good all-around guards aren’t the easiest thing to find but Moore is one of them. The 5-9 Class of 2010 off guard put in some work against Indiana Elite Sunday morning scoring both inside and outside. She’s got the body and the awareness to be a very good defender in college as well.

Courtney Moses – Converse, Indiana – Indiana Elite Central

Speaking of in-state players playing for Versyp and the Purdue program, Moses is another one. The Class of 2010 guard played well in her feature matchup Sunday morning with Odyssey Sims and should fit in well in West LaFayette. At 5-7, she can beat you from deep playing either guard spot with the three pointer or handle the ball to attack the rim as well as she is a good athlete with quickness.

Andrea Newbauer – Greenwood, Indiana – Indiana Elite Central 

This good essay writing website Class of 2010 Hoosier State propsect is going to stay in-state too but will play her career in Bloomington for Indiana University. She’s a solid athlete who at 5-8 uses her advanced skill level to make plays on both ends. Newbauer’s brother, Cameron, is an assistant coach for Andy Landers at the University of Georgia.



Odyssey Sims – Dallas, Texas – DFW T-Jack Elite

Sims was named tournament MVP and has really worked on her ability to lead her team through tough spots in a game. That skill will be important in the fall of 2010 as the 5-7 floor general goes on to Baylor University to play for Kim Mulkey. The left-handed speedster showed quick hands on defense and the ability to get into the lane to set teammates up or finish at the rim.

Xandra Yantzi – Hamilton, Canada – Team Ontario
Yantzi is a nice compliment power forward with good overall skill and length at 6-4. She’ll be able to improve her strength as she goes along. A Class of 2010 graduate, she has plenty of upside as her jumper from the high post is a strong point right now along with her presence.

Brandon Clay is the owner of the JumpOffPlus.com International Report, Peach State Basketball, Inc., and ProspectsNation.com. The JumpOffPlus.com is picked up by more than 200 colleges and universities nationwide. He serves as the Executive Camp Director for the Elite Basketball Academy Camps. Clay has been involved in the community since 2001. You can reach him at [email protected]