Cincinnati, South Florida Looking Ahead

The 2013-14 season is in full swing, but its easy to start thinking about next year following the early signing period. Two programs from the new AAC — South Florida and Cincinnati — will head into the 2014-15 campaign with optimism after they signed impressive recruiting classes.

The  All Star Girls Report recently released its national Top 150 for the Class of 2014, and we are taking that opportunity to look down the road and profile a number of programs.

South Florida signed only two players, but Laura Ferreira (the 101st ranked recruit in the country) and Maria Steen Jespersen (No. 161) were strong enough to lift the Bulls to the 66th best class in the nation according to ASGR. Cincinnati brought in four recruits and the Bearcats’ class landed at No. 72. The group included Anastacia Owens (No. 110), Ashton Lovely (No. 393), Mackenzie Cann (No. 445) and Brianna Moore (No. 523).

“South Florida is losing two quality seniors after this year, but I feel good about the direction of the program,” said ASGR analyst Bret McCormick. “Their core next year will be three rising juniors — Alisia Jenkins, Courtney Williams and Shalethia Springfield. That’s a strong group, and I think Ferreira will also be able to make an important contribution as a freshman next year.

“Cincinnati is in a tougher situation because they will be losing three seniors who are the bulk of their offense. They will have two rising seniors who will be returning starters in Chelsea Jamison and Alyesha Lovett, but they will need a younger player like Bianca Quisenberry to really step up. When you look at their incoming freshmen, I think Owens is the one who should be ready to make an impact immediately.”

Now in its 18th year, the All Star Girls Report is the leader in women’s basketball scouting. ASGR’s rankings are compiled by veteran analyst McCormick, who rated over 1,800 athletes in the class. ASGR members can log in and view the complete updated rankings at www.ASGR.info.

Here is a quick look at the ASGR Super Six for 2014 along with a quick comment from McCormick:

1- A’ja Wilson (Uncommitted): “She is a long, athletic lefty who could play all five positions. She has those types of skills. A’ja is just special. They have some top schools, but they are going to keep looking and talking to schools. ”

2- Gabby Williams (UConn): “Gabby is another very versatile player. She has tremendous athletic ability, and she can do it all on the court. It only takes you a couple of minutes to recognize Gabby’s talent level. She is recovering from an ACL injury so she didn’t play over the summer, but hopefully she will be back at full speed.”

3- Kelsey Mitchell (Ohio State): “Kelsey is a quick, strong, left-handed guard. She is a great passer, but it is her scoring that makes her special. She can hit the long three or the pull-up jumper, and she can attack the rim. She also loves to have the ball at the end of a tight game.”

4- Brianna Turner (Notre Dame): “She is athletic and long, and she could probably play the three, four or five. She can compete in the paint, she can hit the three, and she can take the ball coast-to-coast. She will make an immediate impact in South Bend.”

5- Gabby Green (California): “Gabby is another great athlete with a long, strong body. She has a great basketball IQ, and she can act like a point forward. She is also a great defender. She just has an all-around game.”

6- Sadie Edwards (UConn): “Sadie is an athletic combo guard who is just great off the bounce. She can handle the ball and attack the rim, or she can use her pull-up jumper. She has worked hard to refine her skills, and she has become a complete player.”