The Columbus, Ohio based Capital City Stars enjoyed an incredible amount of success in 2014, and the club’s early season trip to the Deep South Classic put the Stars on the right path.
“We went to the Deep South Classic for the fist time last year, and it did wonders in terms of getting our name out there,” said Coach Anthony White. “All 12 of the players from that team last year got college scholarships, and all of that was jump started at the Deep South Classic.
“One of our major goals is to get the girls as much exposure as possible with college coaches, and you get that at the Deep South Classic. We had a lot of girls have excellent showings, and it made a big difference for them. We took them to Boo Williams and Windy City when they were younger and exposure wasn’t that important. Exposure was the key for those kids last year.”
The 2015 Deep South Classic will be played in Raleigh, NC on April 24-26. The Deep South Classic annually features the nation’s top travel programs, and the event will once again have the entire tournament in one facility — the tremendous Raleigh Convention Center.
White will be bringing a strong group of players from the Class of 2017 to Raleigh this year. Inside, the Stars will look to Amanda Fire (6-1, PF) and Paige Warren (6-4, C). On the perimeter, they are expecting important contributions from Alexis Burchfield (5-8, 2/3), Molly Van Horn (5-11, PG) and Elizabeth Hicks (5-8, CG).
“Amanda is one of those rare players who can play strong in the post, and then step out to the arc and shoot a three-pointer effectively,” White said. “The biggest thing with Paige is that she has great hands, and she is very good at catching and finishing inside. She already has a college ready body, and she runs the floor very well for her size.
“Alexis is a pure shooter and a gritty competitor. Any time there is a loose ball on the court, she is going to be there. Molly may not be a great pure shooter, but she is a scorer. If her shot isn’t fall in a particular game, she will go to the basket at will. Elizabeth is our floor leader, and we go as Elizabeth goes. Her will to win is so strong, she carries all the other girls.”
Bret McCormick, the analyst for the All Star Girls Report, also provided his perspective on the top prospects from the Capital City Stars.
“Fire is a good athlete who can score on the block, and she is comfortable out at the arc,” McCormick said. “Burchfield has a high motor, she is very competitive, and she is an excellent perimeter shooter. Van Horn is a great athlete. She is a very aggressive slasher, and she can hit the three. Hicks is an athletic combo guard who makes her team go. She has good skills, and she makes good decisions.”