Peak Performance Looks To Defend Home Turf At FILA



Maryland’s Brenda Frese is one of the many coaches who has been watching Peak Performance.

Top flight teams from around the country will descend on the Atlanta area for the FILA Nationals event, but one of the top programs will be playing in its own backyard. Peak Performance will have five teams in the FILA field, and director Bruce Price is looking forward to the challenge. Last year, Peak Performance had 19 players sign with NCAA programs, and the club is loaded with talent again this summer.

The FILA Nationals, which will include over 100 national teams, will be played at the Suwanee Sports Academy outside of Atlanta from July 6-8. This is one part of a series of previews for the FILA Nationals where we will highlight the outstanding programs who will be competing.

The top Peak Performance squad at the FILA event will be their National Travel Team. The top player on the National team is 6-2 Mackenzie Engram, who already has over 40 offers. Engram is currently listed as the No. 41 recruit nationally in the Class of 2014 by the All Star Girls Report.
“Mackenzie is just a phenom,” Price said. “She is one of those players you  just have to see, and she is an incredible young lady. She is a Magic Johnson type of player who could play center or point guard or anywhere. We used to play her at the three or four, but she has increased her shooting range this year. She is also just so graceful around the basket, and she is very quick off the floor.”
Engram is supported by a trio of 2014 classmates who are drawing recruiting attention. Faith Sanders is a 6-0 forward, Jade Davis is a 5-5 point guard, and Sarah Smith is a 6-1 power forward.
“Faith is a freak athlete who can jump out of the gym, and she is always playing hard,” Price said. “Jade is one of the quickest guards you will see, and she is a tremendous on-ball defender. Jade is also an outstanding student, and I think she’ll end up in the Ivy League. Sarah has size and strength, and she does all the tough, dirty jobs for us. She isn’t as fluid as some athletes, but she works hard and she bangs.”
In addition to those veterans, Price is also excited about the potential of 2015 prospect Caroline Bowns. “She is a young one to watch,” Price said of the 5-10 guard. “She is silky smooth, and she is going to be a good one.”