#PSBFamily 2015 Program Review: EOTO

EOTO proved that it is the premier travel program in the North Georgia area this year. Their Black squad played on the most competitive exposure scene this summer and played with many of the nation’s top programs. Their younger teams also competed in elite exposure tournaments while winning dozens of games while helping their prospects earn the attention of college coaches. Read how EOTO turned the corner in 2015.

By: @JLHemingwayPSB

Program Director

Ken Huffman

Program Headquarters

Gainesville, Ga.

 

PeachStateBasketball.com Tournaments Attended:

#PSBSpringShowdown
#PSBPreSeason
#PSBMayDay
#PSBSummerKickoff
#PSBRealDeal
#PSBSummerInvite
#PSBPower48
#PSBEndoftheRoad

 

Alumni Catch-up

The EOTO organization is a pipeline of talent that helps promote players to play at the next level. Here is a rundown of what some of their alumae are achieving at the next level. Jasmine Jenkins of Gainesville, Ga., started 22 games lastyear as a point guard at Vanderbilt University. She enters her senior year in the SEC. Haley Gerrin of Clarkesville, Ga., enters her junior year at Georgia State this season. Gerrin was in the running as Freshman Player of the Year in the Sun Belt Conference before a season ending back injury sidelined her for the stretch of the season. She has started 31 games in two years and remains as one of the more reliable post players on Sharon Baldwin-Tener’s roster. Tavia Sykes of Flowery Branch, Ga., is writing her success story at Georgia Regents University as she heads into her junior season. She was named the team’s Most Valuable Player as a Freshman. She is one of the Jaguars most steady performers as she heads into her junior season this year.

Committed Players

Breanna Locke (2016) – Lenoir Rhyne
Karlie Bearden (2016) – Lenoir Rhyne

Notable Uncommitted Players

Maddie Hetzel (2016) – Flower Branch HS

 

#PSBMixTape of EOTO Green & Black

Season Highlights from Ken Huffman

The EOTO organization headed up by coach Ken Huffman concluded another successful travel season. By Huffman’s account, this year might have been the best as of yet. Their program boasted of 12 total teams and nearly 130 individual players that trained and competed with EOTO .

What made this year so special in Huffman’s view was watching the top team compete on the nation’s biggest stage. He says, “We went toe to toe with the nation’s best teams. We competed versus Nike EYBL team and showed very well. Our girls never backed down and we played with much heart all July long.”

Huffman’s Black team played in the bracket championship game of the #PSBSummerInvite and took Central Florida Elite EYBL to the final buzzer. That game gave Huffman’s group invaluable exposure as 75+ college coaches sat on the court to watch.

EOTO’s success was not limited to just their oldest group. Huffman talked about how well their White team competed all year long. Coached by Jerry Wright, this team was made up of 2019 and 2020 prospects and enjoyed success in multiple tournaments. He noted, “I am proud of how well they competed and won games, even though they lacked a lot of size. They are talented and make our future very bright.”

Individual Standouts

The most satisfying moments while working on the travel ball scene is watching players realize their dreams. Huffman got to watch two of his veteran players commit to the same school on the same weekend last month. Class of 2016 forward Karlie Bearden of Dawsonville, Ga., and Breanna Locke of Flowery Branch, Ga., both committed to coach Katie Pate at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Both players project to be impact players for the Bears in Hickory, N.C. Bearden a 6-foot sharp shooter also provides energy and hustle along the frontline. Whereas Locke is a 5-11 versatile forward who can do everything from arguing essay rebound to handle the ball on the perimeter.

Huffman also mentioned class of 2016 guard Maddie Hetzel of Flowery Branch, Ga., as another senior who is positioned to play college basketball next year. The 5-9 guard impressed ProspectsNation.com evaluators and college coaches in the building at the #PSBMayDay with her feel for the game and athleticism. Hetzel already has two college visits set up this fall.

The biggest stock-riser in the program from this past year is undoubtedly Endia Banks of Duluth, Ga. The 5-10 power wing could be considered to have made the biggest jump of any player in the Southeast following her showing in July. The southpaw’s phone rang non-stop from college coaches as yesterday was the first day that they could call 2017 prospects. Banks already set unofficial visits with six SEC and ACC schools this fall. Huffman also noted, “Coaches from the BIG and Big XII are also calling on Banks. She will focus on the schools in the Southeast first and then figure out the rest in future months.”

Next Up

The testament of a strong program is how well do they replace players after graduation. With Bearden and Locke having carried the load for many years, Huffman does have players ready to fill big roles next season. Heading that list is 6-1 forward Deja Mitchell of Duluth, Ga. The athletic forward has progressed in her development in past years and is beginning to attract the attention of college coaches.

Watch for class of 2017 post Hope Forrester of Jefferson, Ga., to have a breakout high school season. The 6-2 interior player embraces rebounding and is effective with finishing with either hand around the basket. Another class of 2017 prospect from Duluth that Huffman is optimistic about is Brianna Dixon. At 6-1 she has size that is reserved for post players, however she is a natural point guard. She is only scratching the argument essay conclusion surface of her potential. Finally watch for class of 2017 wing Nia Lee of Lawrenceville, Ga., to make a big jump in future months. She has the athleticism to make a big impact in upcoming seasons.

Two additional class of 2017 prospects that may be flying slightly under the radar are Abbie Franklin of Homer, Ga., and Hanna Grogan of Gainesville, Ga. Huffman says, “Franklin is a steady ball handler and can make shots. While Grogan made a big contribution for our Green team this year. I expect both to play big roles for us next year.”

Future

There is still plenty of talent that is in Huffman’s pipeline beyond the class of 2017. The Class of 2018 is headed up by point guard Lexie Sengkhammee of Braselton, Ga., who continues to earn the adoration of evaluators at #TeamPSB events. The Gray team was led by class of 2018 forward Lilian Kennedy and Taniyah Worth of Buford, Ga.  Both are athletic players that continue to make improvement. The class of 2019 is packed with talent which starts with guard Caroline Wysocki of Flowery Branch, Ga., is proving to be one of the most crafty ball-handlers on the circuit. She teamed up with Brooke Hendricks of Clayton, Ga., while playing with the White team. Hendricks, a 5-9 wing, is making strides with her skill and athleticism this year. Huffman also raved about the potential that wing forwards Tajei Blackwell of Gainesville Ga., and Kennedy Powell of Woodstock, Ga., have on the floor. Both players are poised to earn great reputations in future seasons.

 

ProspectsNationTV: EOTO Black vs. Central Florida Elite EYBL from the #PSBSummerInvite

Media Exposure / Showcase Opportunities 

Jonathan Hemingway is the Assistant Director of Scouting for the JumpOffPlus.com International Scouting Report, is on the Naismith Trophy Board of Selectors and owns CoachHemi.com, the go-to source for coaches for X’s and O’s.  He is the floor director of #TeamEBA camps, a site director for #TeamPSB tournaments and can be reached at [email protected].