i-EXCEL’s Tough July Will Conclude At Summer Basketball Playoff



The i-EXCEL program in New York has been producing top flight talent for years, and club president Walter Welsh has ensured that his program has the right approach.

“I’ve known Walter for at least 15 years, and I’ve always been impressed by his program,” said All Star Girls Report analyst Bret McCormick. “He really relates well to the kids, and he is in the business to help the kids, not just help himself.”

i-EXCEL incorporated some new talented this spring, and the results have been nothing by positive.

“We added a few players that made us bigger and better,” Welsh said. “They came on board and adjusted pretty quickly because they all fit in perfectly with the girls we already had. They are having a good time together, and they are sharing the basketball.”

i-EXCEL traditionally plays a tough schedule, and 2014 has been no different. They will be competing in four major events in July, concluding that run at the Summer Basketball Playoff in Charlotte. The Playoff will be held from July 27-29. The Summer Basketball Playoff will feature 72 of the nation’s elite club teams. The Playoff will be held at the same time as the Nike Nationals, which will be played two hours away in North Augusta, SC.

The i-EXCEL program is full of talent at every level. Some of the players who will be in the spotlight in Charlotte include Jocelyn Willoughby (2016, 6-0, F, ranked No. 20 in her class by ASGR), Desiree Elmore (2016, 6-0, F, No. 48), Shaquana Edwards (2016, G, 5-6), Sabrina Friscia (2016, 6-0, F) and Kyi English (2015, PG, 5-6, No. 207).
“Jocelyn was already listed among the best players in the nation, and then she just had a great Deep South Classic,” Welsh said. “Desiree can play with anyone in the country. She is a great shooter, but she has the size to post people up. Shaquana is a tough, top level point guard. She is very quick, and she loves to pass the basketball. Sabrina is a 6-0 tall spot up shooter, and she also has the ability to score inside. Kyi is a veteran point guard who is just a steady force for us.”
ASGR’s McCormick also added his perspective on some of the i-EXCEL stars:
Shaquana Edwards: “Edwards is a very quick guard who can attack the basket for make the key pass. She is a very intelligent player who has a nice floater in the lane.”
Jocelyn Willoughby: “Willoughby is an athletic, multi-positional player. She is  strong and aggressive, and she has a great skill set that makes her a true inside-outside player.”
Sabrina Friscia: “Friscia is a long, strong, skilled shooter who could play the two, three or four positions.”
Desiree Elmore: “Elmore is a left-handed wing. She is a great athlete with a scorer’s mentality. She is effective posting up, and she is also a threat out on the arc.”
Kyi English: “English is an explosive player who is a great facilitator. She can handle it and pass it, and she has a great understanding of the game.”