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2017 Stars Will Lead FBC Southeast Elite In Nashville

on June 25, 2014 by ASGR Basketball


Three of the top players in the nation from the Class of 2017 all compete for the FBC Southeast Elite club’s 17U team. That is an immense amount of talent, but playing up can be an immense challenge.

“There is a lot of talent — no question — but we haven’t had a lot of consistency,” said Coach Al Motton. “We’ve been up and down, and we’ve lost a lot of one or two-point games. We’re still maturing, and it’s a process. We need to improve our execution at the end of games, and we need to become more consistent.

“I really think we have eight or nine BCS caliber young players on this team, but they need to keep working and continue to improve.”

Those talented youngsters will face a major challenge in July at the Nashville Tournament of Champions, which will be played from July 10-12. The event will include 48 elite travel teams, with games being played at the newly expanded Hooptown facility in Smyrna, TN. Hooptown is conveniently located near popular restaurants and hotels.

Leading the list of standouts for FBC are Kasiyahna Kushkituah (2017, 6-3, P, No. 5 ranked prospect in her class according to All Star Girls Report), Mikayla Coombs (2017, 5-10, WF, No. 12), Bianca Jackson (2017, 5-10, SG) and Taja Cummings (2017, 5-4, PG, No. 98).
“Kasiyahna is a true post player who can really get up and down the floor,” Motton said. “She is a very strong defender, and she is a great athlete. Her offensive game is maturing, but she can already catch well in traffic and finish.
“Mikayla is very athletic, and she has an all-around game. She can slash and get to the cup, and she shoots the three. Defensively, she gets into the passing lanes, and she can defend multiple positions. Bianca has a very mature mid-range game and a high basketball IQ. She has a long, rangy body, and she can shoot the long ball. Taja may not be tall, but she is very strong and cat quick. She is our floor general. She runs the team, and she makes good decisions in transition.”
All Star Girls Report analyst Bret McCormick also offered his perspective on the FBC standouts:
 Kasiyahna Kushkituah: “She is a strong athlete who already has great post moves and footwork. She is a good rebounder and defender. The sky is the limit for this kid.”

Mikayla Coombs: “Coombs is a great athlete. She is an explosive leaper and a great scorer off the bounce. She attacks the basket, and she can knock down the three.”

Bianca Jackson: “Jackson is a good athlete who can get to the rim. She has a good pull-up jumper and she can shoot the three. She is a little bit of a sleeper in this group.”

Taja Cummings: “Cummings is lightning quick and the verbal leader on the floor. She has good handles, she is a good passer, and she can make things happen for her team.”