When the Peak Performance program was started in Atlanta in 2005, the founders weren’t looking to make a fast impression. They designed a plan to gradually build a program with a strong foundation, and those efforts have paid off.
“When we started 10 years ago, we started out with a sixth grade team, and we wanted to just build up the program from there,” said Coach Bruce Price. “Now, we’ve had 61 of 80 seniors sign with NCAA teams over the last five years. One hundred percent of our seniors have gone on to college, with about 75 percent signing. We’re very proud of those numbers.”
Along the way, Peak Performance received invaluable assistance from the staff at the All Star Girls Report.
“There is no question that the All Star Girls Report people played a big role in our success,” Price said. “We got a lot of advice from Mike White and Bret McCormick, and Bret even came and conducted a seminar on recruiting for our parents. They really helped move us up, and that’s why were always loyal to them.”
That loyalty is one reason Peak Performance will be 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.
Price is very excited about the talent in the Peak Performance program, but they will be missing one standout in Raleigh. Zoe Guilmette (2017, 6-5, C), who is listed as the No. 181 prospect in her class by ASGR, underwent ACL surgery in December.
“We’re hoping to get Zoe back late this summer. She is very talented, and a lot of schools from the SEC and the ACC are recruiting her,” Price said.
“Guilmette is a good athlete with skills,” noted McCormick. “She can score inside with either hand, and she has a good upside. The knee injury was unfortunate, but the Division I programs will be making a mistake if they forget about her.”
With Guilmette sidelined, the top Peak Performance team will be powered by the backcourt of Eboni Williams (2016, 5-7, CG) and Cairo Booker (2016, 5-7, PG).
“They are two of the quickest, most intense defensive players you will ever see,” Price said. “They are both track athletes who really compete for 94 feet. They are also both high academic kids, and its just fun to watch them play.”
“Williams is an ultra quick athlete,” McCormick added. “She is very good in the open floor, and she knows how to use her athleticism to get to the rim. Booker is also very quick, she has good court vision and she is a good passer. She really understands the game, and she is a slasher.”
Price is also expecting big things from the Peak Performance U-15 team that will feature Amari Robinson (2019, 6-0, G, ASGR No. 2) and Jada Claude (2019, 6-0, PF).
“Amari is just one of those special players,” Price said. “She is a natural three, but she could play any of the five positions. She can shoot it, handle it and rebound, and the doctors are projecting that she will end up at 6-3 or 6-4. Jada is another young phenom. She is strong and athletic, and I think she will have a good summer.”
“We have Robinson listed at No. 2 in the country because of her athleticism, high basketball IQ, and her skill set,” McCormick said. “She could play any of the guard positions. Jada is a power forward with skills. She could develop into another big time player.”