S.T.R.O.N.G. Dandy Dozen Showcase: A Tasty Post-Thanksgiving Treat

Kalani Kindred is a 2028 that should be on everyone’s radar.

The S.T.R.O.N.G. Dandy Dozen Showcase saw 14 girls' and 8 boys' teams take to the court

December 5, 2024

Presented by Ball So Hard Events on November 29-30, 2024 -- the S.T.R.O.N.G. Dandy Dozen Showcase saw 14 girls' and 8 boys' teams take to the court with the gym of the Jacksonville Lighthouse High School Academy in Jacksonville, Arkansas, being the main venue. The girls' event is in its 9th year with boys added last year. Teams played 1 or 2 pre-set games. While most teams were from Arkansas, there was representation from several adjoining states.

While there were no nationally ranked teams in this field, there were quality players from NCAA major division one level down. Players discussed below were of various levels (as mentioned). These mostly stood out for performance at the event but sometimes more for upside at the next level.

Players below are listed in alphabetical order with listed height, position, graduation year and school (state in parenthesis).

Madisen Campbell, 5-7, guard, 2027, Har-Ber High School (Springdale, Arkansas)

Madisen is more the off-guard shooter of this set of twins. She hit multiple threes in scoring 12 points (flip side of her twin mentioned below) in one viewing. She has Division 1 offers but currently considered to be below those of twin Makenlie. Still plenty of time to catch up!

Makenlie Campbell, 5-5, point guard, 2027, Har-Ber High School (Springdale, Arkansas)

The point guard of this set of twins appears the more highly advanced with offers just below the Power 4 level. With medium-thin build, Makenlie handles the ball well, plays hard (like her entire team) and keeps the ball moving. She showed the three and ability to attack the rim while scoring 21 points in the one game viewed.

Keila Dailey, 5-3, point guard, 2028, Bryant High School (Arkansas)

The only thing that may keep this diminutive, decently athletic point guard out of the majors is her small size and thin-medium build. Her handles, court vision, passing and decision making are all very advanced for a young player. A lefty with a good motor, she can hit the three, but drive or drive/dish are currently her better scoring options. Good things tended to happen when she was touching the ball.

Miciah Fusilier, 6-4, guard, 2027, Camden Fairview High School (Arkansas)

Ranked #19 as a prospect by HoopGurlz, few girls in high school have more talent than this long, slender player. Fusilier has one of the longest legal first steps in the girls’ high school game. One blink and she can be at the rim!  She can hit the three and score at mid-range, looking impressive in those acts.  She posted 15 and 19 points as her team lost twice at the event.  Granted she is young, and the downside is correctable, however, she needs to play harder, actually much harder!  Spectacular plays by her are often followed by nothing but standing around for the next several minutes. To be proverbial, "to those whom much has been given, a lot is expected in return."

Mia Hopkins, 6-1, power forward, 2027, North Little Rock (Arkansas)

North Little Rock used a lot of players in winning both games at the event. From its roster, the player showing the most upside was Mia Hopkins. She is an above average athlete with faceup skill in the key and low post skills near the rim. A definite mid-major prospect, a bump up to the Power 4 level is not out of the question with continued skill development.

Kalani Kindred, 6-1, power forward, 2028, Newcastle High School (Oklahoma)

Kindred led her team with 28 and 24 points respectively in her team's two wins at the event. What may be best about her is she plays to her strengths (attacking the rim from the high post and sometimes the perimeter finishing well with either hand versus contact). She also shot foul shots well. Word in the gym is that she can shoot the three, but she did not show it in either game viewed. In general, Kindred plays hard and smart. Major leaguer by me!

Jada Maples had serious scoring outbursts at this event. Photo courtesy of Snapshot_AJ

Jada Maples, 5-10, guard, 2026, Earle High School (Arkansas)

Earle is a small (1A) school in the state. Players at such programs are often downgraded as prospects due to weaker competition. At this event, the team played two larger schools splitting the pair.  In both, Maples went for 20+ (47 points total) each time showing well above average athletic talent and a smooth mid-range jumper off the bounce (all too rare these days). Biggest knock is she does not appear to shoot the three.  To date, very few if any major D1 schools have offered. After watching her twice, she reminded me of a small school player (Courtney Williams now in the WNBA) from South Georgia whom major D1's showed no interest in recruiting.  Are major D1 schools making the same mistake again?

Bigs are a premium and there is some nice potential to unlock in Shamira Morton.

Shamira Morton, 6-3, center, 2026, Canton High School (Mississippi)

Morton is very typical of low posts that one finds in major division 1. With medium-solid build and good hands, she finishes well on either side of the rim using each hand as appropriate. She is also a good foul shooter. To improve her game, she should look to add more range as scoring now appears to be primarily at the rim. She also could be a bit more active in trying to present herself as open for the post entry pass. She posted 16 and 18 points, showing well in her two outings at the event, although her team lost both times.

 Ziyah Sims, 6-3, center, 2027, Newcastle High School (Oklahoma)

Sims is your prototype medium-solid, decently athletic low post. She has good hands and is still developing her low post footwork. She showed flashes of quality at the event but is still mostly a work in progress.  Future major league offers are possible (as the market for posts is tighter in supply most years) but certainly a mid-major prospect.

Morgan Thornton gets to the rim. Photo courtesy of Snapshot_AJ

Morgan Thornton. 6-0, guard/forward, 2027, eSTEM (Little Rock, Arkansas)

 A good athlete of medium build, Thornton's game is still developing but certainly should land somewhere at the D1 level. She has a nice stroke and can hit the three but is more drive at this stage.  She needs to move the ball quicker at times. She had 16 points in one viewing.

 Ky Wilson, 5-9, shooting guard, 2025, Little Rock Central High School (Arkansas)

 Wilson was the most impressive of several Little Rock Central quality athletes. With medium build, she plays hard looking to attack the basket going to her right. Unsigned with Division 1 offers below the majors, she posted 12 points in her team's one game (a win) at the event.