The Boston Showstoppers program began in 2007, and the group has consistently strengthened over the last seven years. The future looks very, very bright for the Showstoppers.
“We want to do what we can to keep young women off the streets and moving in the right direction. We want to help them understand the value of an education, and hopefully give them an opportunity to get into a quality college,” said Coach Clinton Lassiter.
“We had our first graduating class two years ago, and so far we’ve sent 21 kids on to college basketball. And we really think things are only going to get better for our program. We are getting more and more talented kids in the program, we’re playing against a better level of competition, and the kids are working harder to get ready for that challenge. We used to get a lot of attention from the Division II and Division III coaches, but now we’re talking to Division I programs and Ivy League programs.”
The Showstoppers will be in the spotlight again at the 2015 Deep South Classic, which will be played in Raleigh, NC on April 24-26. The Deep South Classic, which annually features the nation’s top travel programs, will once again have the entire tournament in one facility — the tremendous Raleigh Convention Center.
When the Showstoppers arrive in Raleigh, they will be relying on a strong backcourt led by Araion Bradshaw (2016, 5-6, PG, rated at No. 106 nationally by the All Star Girls Report).
“Aarion has an explosive first step and great vision,” Lassiter said. “She works hard and she is a lockdown defender. Aarion reminds me of a female Russell Westbrook.”
“Bradshaw is a lightning quick guard who plays with a special flair,” added ASGR analyst Bret McCormick. “She handles the ball very well, and she can attack the basket.”
The Showstoppers will also look to Ednaija Lassiter (2016, 5-9, CG), Sayawani Lassiter (2017, 5-11, G, No. 78) and Takora McIntyre (2016, 5-5, PG).
“Ednaija has great strength, and she could play any of the perimeter positions. She is a great rebounding guard, she has a good mid-range game, and she is one of our best three-point shooters,” the coach said. “Sayawani has great court sense. She is a good passer, she can slash to the basket, and she shoots the three. Takora is a lock down defender who is a great court manager, and she can shoot the long ball.”
“Ednaija is very athletic. She has a good mid-range game, and she can get to the rim,” McCormick said. “Sayawani, her sister, is very quick and good in the open floor. She also has three-point range. McIntyre is a natural point guard who knows how to run a team. She will play defense, and she can shoot the three.”
The Showstoppers also have a bright future, with players like Masseny Kaba (2017, 6-3, F) and Luili Ocasio (2017, 5-5, CG) looking to break out this summer.
“Masseny is a long, agile athlete,” Lassiter said. “She is a great rebounder, and she has a great work ethic. Luili has a great first step. She plays good defense, she can shoot the long ball, and she is a great leader.”
“Kaba runs well and she has good size to go with a very good motor,” added McCormick. “Ocasio is a quick, intelligent player who knows how to get her teammates involved.”
