The Girls Middle School Showcase returned to the Institute of Notre Dame on September 11th. 51 players from the classes of 2020 and 2021 put their skills on display for high school and college coaches from PG county to Harford County. The participants came from area programs such Maryland Lady Tigers, Baltimore Lady Lions, Fairfax Stars, Maryland Shooting Stars, Maryland Lady Comets, Maryland Hoopmasters, AIP, Columbia Ravens, Maryland Pride, Maryland Belles and Frederick Power to name a few.

Extra thick rush hour traffic delayed the festivities a bit, but once we got underway the gym heated up, literally. DJ Punisher was on the scene playing a variety of songs to get the crowd amped up while the players warmed up.

These showcases are usually guard dominated, but several inside players were able to make a name for themselves as well. Here is a look back at the participants.

 Aniya Gourdine, 2021, Maryland Pride

Ms. Gourdine showed why she is one of the top players in her class. She is explosive and is a natural scorer. She has great defensive instincts and a high basketball IQ. She scored 8 points to help lead her team to a win.

Charia Roberts, 2020, MD Lady Tigers

Charia is a solid post prospect with good footwork. She rebounds well and finishes in the paint. She draws double teams and a lot of contact which leads to a lot of free throw attempts. Several high school coaches were waiting to talk to her after the game.

Emily Durkee, 2021, Columbia Ravens

Emily is a savvy and athletic player who can score and pass. She was making plays all over the court all game long. She is fearless and her teammates feed off her energy.

Annani Humphry, 2021, Columbia Ravens

An athletic player with good size and fundamentals. She made a spectacular drop step spin move that put people on notice. Some coaches said she was the best prospect in the gym.

Claire Neff, 2020, Maryland Belles

At 5'9" Claire has excellent size for a guard. She is a good athlete and she showed off her range by draining several long jumpers. This was a good showing for her first showcase.

 Marissa Sanchez-Henry, 2020, Columbia Ravens

Marissa is a solid combo guard who can score in bunches. She showed off last year and proved that it was no fluke by showing up again and scoring a game high 14 points to lead her team to victory. She made three pointers, she penetrated and finished and she set up her teammates. I think we can pencil her in for an appearance in the Girls Middle School All Star game in March.

Kayla Cooper, 2020, Maryland Belles

Kayla is another solid post prospect from the class of 2020. She has improved her footwork tremendously since last year's GMSS. She scored inside and got to the line, where she showed a nice stroke. Solid performance for Kayla.

Destiny Ryles, 2020, Maryland Belles

Destiny is probably the most improved player in her class over the last year. She is lightening fast and has developed a good outside shot which makes her a tough defensive assignment. She is small but has learned to take contact and still finish. She is an excellent ball handler with a variety of change of direction moves.

Amelia Saunders, 2020, Central Maryland Attitude

Amelia had a strong outing. She has a knack for making timely plays because she understands the game. She made an impressive offensive rebound and put back and another nice drive. From what I saw she is a good shooter. We will be following her during the winter and spring.

Sanaya Gray, 2021, MD Lady Tigers

Sanaya is a big time scorer who goes into attack mode at the opening tip. She scored 10 points to lead her team in scoring. She has excellent speed and some nice change of direction moves. Great showcase for Sanaya.

Allie Cullison, 2021, MD Hoopmasters. This was Allie's first GMSS. She is a quick guard with a nice handle.

Nhaikyia Smith, 2020,Fairfax Stars. Strong guard that keeps improving. Smart and tough, effective two way player.

Ah'Naiyah Free, 2021. Quick guard with some scoring ability. Scrappy with a nose for the ball.

Tamyra Timmons, 2021, MD Hoopmasters. Tamyra is a slasher that runs the floor well. She made some sharp and accurate passes and she's super athletic.

Kayla Cabbagestalk, 2021, Baltimore Lady Lions. Kayla is a strong, aggressive player that will bang inside. She puts it on the floor and shows no fear when attacking the rim. She is well built for that role.

Gabrielle Mancini, 2021, MD Hoopmasters. Gabrielle is small but fearless. She is crafty and has a nose for the ball.

Janeiyah Cajudoy, 2021, Team AIP. Janeiyah had nice outing in her first showcase. She's a smooth lefty with a nice step back jumper. She looks like she can play both guard spots.

Julia Williams, 2020, MD Belles. Another smooth lefty guard. She has excellent vision and is a good passer. Her length comes in handy on defense.

Grace Taylor, 2020, MD Belles. Grace is a good scorer and is really dangerous in transition. She is a tough competitor and plays the passing lanes well.

Camille Malagar, 2020, Columbia Ravens. Camille was one of the best ball handlers in the showcase. There is no drop off from one hand to the other. She has a great feel for the game offensively.

Joelle Moore, 2020. Joelle has a high motor and plays with a lot of intensity. She's a slasher that can draw contact and finish.

Alex Sawyers, 2020, MD Belles. Versatile combo guard with a nice outside shot and good instincts.

Tajiah Ridgeway, 2020, MD Pride. Tough guard with a nice shot. She has quick hands and is always around the ball.

Brylen Hatcher, 2020, MD Pride. This was Brylen's GMSS debut. She has good form on her shot and has a nice range.

Anujin Dashdorj, 2020, MD Shooting Stars. Anujin had a nice GMSS debut. She is a great ball handler and passer. She is a pass first guard and she has a nice step back jumper.

Aiyahnah Burke, 2020, MD Pride. Post player with great size and rebounding instincts. She gets after it on the boards. 

Tiffany Manning, 2020, MD Lady Tigers. Tiffany showed off her range by draining a 3 pointer. She is solidly built and likes to mix it up on defense.

Harley Herndon, 2021, MD Shooting Stars. Harley played in the GMSS last year as a 6th grader. She is a solid two way player that can score and set up teammates.

Elaine Harris, 2020, MD Pride. Physical player that brings energy and hustle on every possession.

Cache Wilson, 2020, MD Lady TIgers. Cache is a talented scoring guard and a good ball handler. She plays a physical game on both ends of the court. Another good showcase for her.

Jaya Dews, 2020. This was the debut appearance for Jaya in the GMSS. She is a quick and athletic guard who defends and attacks on offense. Solid fundamentals.

Vashae Rideout, 2021, MD Lady Comets. Vashae is a confident and aggressive offensive player. She will engage on defense and does not take any plays off.

Kaniyah Harris, 2020, Fairfax Stars. Kaniyah is a gifted offensive player who can score in many ways. She looks for and finishes through contact in the lane. Has a nice touch around the basket. She was a GMSS All Star last year.

Kristin Sterling, 2021, MD Lady Comets. Versatile player that can play guard or wing. She has good size and instincts.

Taylor Sawyer, 2021,MD Lady Comets. Taylor showed off her complete offensive game. She knocked down a 3 pointer and also had a nice drive for a score.

Amayah Frazier, 2021, MD Lady Comets. Tough guard that looks to penetrate and dish off.

Anya Walker, 2021, Columbia Ravens. Anya is a versatile scorer and a feisty defender.

Aaliyah Robison, 2021, Columbia Ravens. Aaliyah is long and athletic. She can shoot and is a good passer as well. Versatile player with a good handle.

Asia Dodson, 2021, MD Lady Tigers. Scrappy and quick guard with a nice floater.

Koi Sims, 2021, Team AIP. Koi had a solid GMSS debut. She has a solild frame and does not shy away from contact. Looking forward to seeing more of her.

Sydney Stokes,2021, MD Lady Tigers. Point guard that handles the ball well under pressure. Showed some flexiblity and basketball IQ by posting up when the opportunity was there.

Keonte Lewis, 2021, MD Lady TIgers. Keonte is a guard with good size which she uses well. She plays at a measured pace. Good shooter.

Jordan Bugg, 2020, MD Pride. Strong,tough player who can bang inside but has perimeter game as well.

Dynajah Glenn, 2020, MD Pride. Ms. Glenn is an exceptional on ball defender with a nice first step. She was able to get around defenders and get into the lane consistently.

Leah Johnson, 2020, MD Lady Tigers. Leah was not cleared to play due to injury but she came anyway.

Lillian Harris, 2020, Columbia Ravens. Nice post player with solid fundamentals. She has excellent size so she is able to establish solid position on the block and she finishes. Good rebounder as well. She is developing a face up game as well.

Niana Rosser, 2020, MD Lady TIgers. Aggressive wing with an explosive first step.

Saniya Dorsey, 2020 Frederick Power. Sanaya is a quick guard who can go coast to coast in a blur. Finishes well in traffic.

Jourdyn Ayers, 2020. MD Lady Tigers. Guard with good size that attacks the rim aggressively.

Jada Gross, 2020. MD Lady TIgers. Jada is an exceptional athlete with a nice wing span. She plays solid on ball defense.