The UBAVE Gold program out of San Antonio may not have a lot of size this year, but Coach Charlie Harper is still optimistic about his team.
“Most of these kids have been together for four years, so they are very comfortable with each other,” Harper said. “I think they will compete very well. This is an aggressive group of girls, and they are very defensive oriented. They are all skilled, and they play together.”
The team will be showcased at the 2014 Deep South Classic, which will be played in Raleigh, NC, on April 25-27. Now in its 17th year, the Deep South Classic annually hosts many of the nation’s elite travel teams in a field that will eclipse 200 squads, and hundreds of collegiate coaches will be on hand searching for talent. The 2014 event will mark the second year that the Deep South Classic has been held at the Raleigh Convention Center. The venue was a tremendous success in its debut last year, with all games played at one site on 18 courts, and it is in a convenient central location.
Harper’s club will be powered in Raleigh by four young perimeter players who are all 5-8 or under. The quartet includes Chantel Govan (2017, 5-6, G), Kenedi Tanks (2017, 5-8, G), Karla Butler (2017, 5-7, G) and Marie Harris (2017, 5-6, G).
“Chantel is very quick and very athletic. She has a great first step, and she loves to attack the basket,” Harper said. “Kenedi grew from 5-5 to 5-8 this past year. She has a very good handle, she shoots the three, and she has a strong body that helps her go to the basket. Karla is very athletic, and she is a very good lock down defender who can also hit the three. Marie was out last year with an ACL injury, and we’re excited to see her play. She is an all-out scorer who can shoot it with either hand.”
All Star Girls Report analyst Bret McCormick added his take on the UBAVE standouts:
Chantel Govan: “She is a quick point guard who can take it hard to the hole. She understands the game, and she can hit the three.”
Kenedi Tanks: “Tanks is a strong, athletic combo guard who can attack the lane, and she will shoot the three.”
Karla Butler: “Butler is a very quick point guard who is good off the bounce. She has a nice mid-range game, and she is a good three-point shooter.”
Marie Harris: “Harris is an athletic player with a scorer’s mentality. She was off the circuit last year, and a lot of people are going to be watching her this summer.”