Shining a light on girls 🏀 in the Northeast 365 days a year... 366 on leap years. Showcases/combines, evaluation, media 🖊📸, support of the game!
@jeffmlinar
🚨NEW EVENT(S) ALERT🚨
Year 10… time to make it the EST Fall Showcase SERIES 💥
Sep 15 (BROCKPORT)
Sep 29 (SCRANTON)
Oct 13 (518)
Hitting all corners of the coverage region to see them all this fall. No stone unturned ✔️
FULL DETAILS & TO REGISTER 📝:
Traditional event pic 📸
Can’t say it enough. A heartfelt THANK YOU to all players, families, coaches, evaluators, & everyone else that made the 5th Annual EST Upstate Fall Showcase a success. Ton of talent today. This doesn’t happen without you!
2019 EST events in the books!
Nontraditional event pics 😂🤷🏻♂️
Mask up & get in this one! In a year that has rocked everyone, I’m beyond thankful to have been able to have the 6th Annual EST Fall Showcase. Through all the craziness, this one might have been the best 👀 a major THANK YOU to everyone involved!
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Idk… this one felt a little different. The talent, level of competition, & balance. The focus throughout the event. The smiles. Can we run it back next week? 🤷🏻♂️
Thank you to EVERYONE that made the inaugural EST WNY Warm-Up a huge success!
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Another one in the books ⬇️ Two packed sessions, GREAT talent in the gym, finally got to have college coaches in the building 🙏🏼. Loved being back in the 315 homeland! THANK YOU to everyone that made the 4th Annual EST Summer Kickoff a success!
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Packed house w many future college players at all levels. 518, 315, 607, 585, 716, 845 all represented in NY, along with MA & PA, and nearly 60 coaches in the house +
@NYGHoops
! A major THANK YOU to EVERYONE that made the
#ESTSummerKickoff
a success!
Dear every league that has boys & girls games on the same night at opposite sites;
This can be what the student section at your girls games look like too with a change that’s really not all that difficult. Great to see a healthy section tonight. Just wish I saw it more often!
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2023 event season underway with a fun one in Rochester. Balanced, competitive with some of the best of both today & tomorrow, and the ENERGY in the gym felt right. Started the year strong. Thanks to ALL that made the 2nd Annual EST WNY Warm-Up a success!
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I rarely have the opportunity to sit back & enjoy event day. This group forced me to. Two sessions of competitive 🏀 and infectious energy reminded me of the JOY this game brings. THANK YOU to everyone that made the 5th EST Summer Kickoff a success!
You know what time it is... the customary event picture 👀 over 100 in the gym between 2 sessions, & even w/ quality of recent events, this may have been the deepest pool of talent yet. A major thank you to everyone that made the 4th Annual EST Upstate Fall Showcase a success! 🏀
If I had a dollar for every time a girl has looked to their parent in the stands tonight instead of their coach... if only some of these parents realized yelling at your kid nonstop until they pay attention to you instead isn’t a good look at all... 🙄
Jill Huerter is a budding star in the 2022 class. Impressive showing in City Rocks current game. Can play at any pace as the PG and knows how to control it. Was able to fight fire w fire vs pressure, attack and finish. Great start for her
Talked with a coach last night who said ‘it has to be impossible for anyone to say anything bad about the Phillips twins’.
Their ability goes without saying, but their character speaks volumes & makes them easy to root for. Happy to see it doesn’t get lost on others!
We talk so much about how awesome Sophie and Lilly Phillips are at hoop and they are, but I was so impressed with their reaction to winning the NYS Title. Took a second to exchange hugs with their opponents before celebrating. In addition to being great, they play the right way.
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I’m tired, but it’s more than worth it. Three up, three down for EST spring 2023 events, and for a start to the summer grind, this group set the tone. Couldn’t ask for better 🫡
THANK YOU to all that helped make Year 6 of
#ESTSummerKickoff
a success!
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Two sessions of Year 8
#ESTFallShowcase
in the books 📚 the host state of PA & my home state of NY both represented well. Can’t wait to break this one down in its entirety; also can’t wait to sleep 😂 THANK YOU to all that helped make it a success!
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Year 10 of EST underway with Year 3 of the WNY Warm-Up. 5 courts packed with 90+ players competing in front of 30+ college coaches… that’s what it’s about. I’m tired. Brain is chaos. Much more to come 😅
THANK YOU to all that made tonight a success!
Had to get a quick pic 👀
These two have helped carry the torch for Section 3 🏀 for years. Now both 2000+ pts w another year left & D1 futures at
@MaristWBB
⬅️ &
@OhioStateWBB
➡️. Always fun to have
@JackiePiddock
&
@kaiahenderson
bump. Great players, better people!
It’s a shame how often I’ve seen actions of a parent impact opinions of their child, limit opportunities their child could have, and even hurt their recruiting in certain instances. Be mindful of how you act in public, whether at my events or others. It can come back to hurt you!
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Many of the region’s best of the future at Schenectady tonight. Locals, Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Binghamton, Elmira, Plattsburgh, Hudson Valley & everywhere in between represented. THANK YOU to all who made the Middle School Combine a success!
All of the work done behind the scenes in spring, summer, fall... all the talk about what it’ll be like ‘next season’... it’s go time.
November 5, 2018 - a hooper’s holiday. Happy first day of high school 🏀 practice, New York! 👊🏼
From The Prime Event East:
Expect this when playing
@nyhavoc
, as unselfishness & shooting ability have been among their calling cards over the years. 8 passes & player movement in the half-court leads to a
@Jenalyse13
trey. 4-1 this weekend, 3-0 vs UAAs in first action of 2020
Plenty of local flavor, plus Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Elmira, Oneonta, Pennsylvania, Vermont, you name it. Lot of talent in the gym - known commodities & fresh faces alike. The 1st Annual EST Middle School Combine - a success! Thanks to all who made it that way!
Traditional event pics 📸
#ESTFallShowcase
edition
Crazy to think it’s been 7 years of this. All corners of NY in the gym, host state PA represented very well, players from 5 states in all made the trip to Scranton. Thank you to ALL that helped make this event a success! 2021 ✔️
At this point, have to say
@MadisonSmith000
is perhaps the most underrated 2019 in the area I cover. Versatile wing that can do some of everything, and has worked her way into becoming a real knockdown shooter. Will make a college program very happy for 4 years
Fun time at the NY State Fair yesterday with much of the future of upstate girls basketball! 4 teams filled to the brim with 2021/2022 talent (and a ‘23). Great fun, and great competition as well. Loved being on the sidelines for this. Worth the sunburn! 😂
One of the best days of the year. All the offseason work, all the talk about ‘next year’... it’s finally go time. Happy first day of high school 🏀 to (most of) upstate New Yorkers! See all of you in the gym soon 👀
With that, the 2023-24
@NYSPHSAA
season… ✔️
HS season number TEN in the books for me 📚 many games, many more miles, sleep occasionally optional, but wouldn’t trade it for the world. Thanks for following along.
Couple days off… then BUFFALO for
@BOBShowcase716
Wednesday 👋🏼
Usually don’t do this, but anyone that knows
@katieboyd2024
knows that she isn’t ‘just anyone’.
Salute to the end of a great HS career
@redhookgbb
. Definition of a winner. Left it better than she found it, which can be said about her time anywhere. Good sign for
@cortlandwbb
🫡
Never said this before… traditional event pic x 3 📸
2 HS groups
#ESTFallShowcase
& MS finished the job
#FallFuturesCombine
. 100+ worked, competed, & built through the day. THANK YOU
@FootprintzGroup
& to all that made Sunday a success!
EST 2023 event season… in the books 📚
This might go down as ‘The Shot’ in Delhi. One of the most clutch moments I’ve seen in person. Down 3 with 2 seconds left, last game of her high school career...
@__llogaannn
. Good off the hand, nothing but bottom. What a moment!
It’s kinda tough to take a picture of 80ish courts, so this will have to suffice for
#TodaysOffice
👀
Louisville for a while, many programs in my coverage area at
@TFNsRun4Roses
. It’s go time! Happy July!
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3rd Annual EST MS Combine in the books. Full house with all corners of NY along with PA represented. First middle school event since pre-pandemic... and it was worth the wait! THANK YOU to everyone that helped make this event a success!
#TodaysOffice
(and the weekend’s)
Pennsylvania Convention Center
Philly! Would’ve been Atlantic City if NJ was allowing it, but shoutout to
@SelectEventsBB
for the contingency plan. The Philly Showcase on deck with teams from throughout the country... it’s go time!
It’s time!
Day 1 of ball in NY. Hundreds of girls 🏀 teams start seasons today. In ~4 months, 5 will go 2-0 here 📍to win
@NYSPHSAA
crowns. Much joy, inevitably some pain, learning & growth, crappy drives in ❄️ ahead 😅 can’t wait to get a baseline view for everyone’s successes!
Posting this means one thing… best time of year 💥
Hundreds of
@NYSPHSAA
girls 🏀 teams start their seasons today. In about 4 months, the last 24 standing meet here @ HVCC with 6 crowns to hand out.
I’m a small town guy; HS season hits a little different. IT’S GO TIME in NY ⏰
Since things have gone public recently with an overwhelming amount of support (& questions) since then... I should probably be open about what’s going on.
I’ve still been doing games lately, but everything else has taken a back seat. This is why.
Another year in the books at the NY State Fair. Many of the best in upstate NY in the 2022 & 2023 classes, along with a couple ‘24s, with Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, & 9 represented. Always a special day. THANK YOU to everyone that participated - you all make it what it is!
And with that, another summer in the books. I think it’s no contest - tonight’s games were the most fun & entertaining the league has seen. Major thank yous are in order to everyone who had a hand in making the 4th annual summer league a success!
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From Albany to Buffalo & everywhere in between, the Southern Tier, Vermont, the list goes on. They came from all directions this time for a fun Friday night. The future is bright 👊🏼 Thank you to EVERYONE that made the 4th Annual EST MS Combine a success!
I swear I’m diversifying who I watch today, but in the 8:30 slot, I’ve been able to stand in the middle & watch teams from
@I90ELITE
,
@AauXgen
,
@nyhavoc
,
@Albanyladystars
, &
@ESBC_BlueFlames
without having to move - it’s like it was sent from the heavens 😂 happy Saturday!
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Phrase of the night: EMPTY THE TANK. Heat wave week, no problem for this group. 100 strong from 5 different states between 2 sessions & they all definitely did that. Means the world. THANK YOU to all that made Year 7 of
#ESTSummerKickoff
a success!
26 games in 4 days officially in the books for holiday tournament week… don’t mind me if I happen to take tomorrow completely off 😂 one of the most fun weeks of the year!
In my glory at Spooky Nook because upstate NY came pretty deep this weekend! Some Day 1
#ViewsFromTheBaseline
from
@SelectEventsGB
/
@PBRhoops
The Prime Event East before the camera battery died 😅 back at it in the AM!
Game winner… my angle 🎥
Not the first time Elena Graziano canned a big 3 in
@LadyCadetsHoops
playoff run. However, this one likely goes down as the lifetime memory.
Down 1, final seconds of OT,
@HeiseMallory
(27 pts) drive & WINNING PLAY w/ on target pass, Graziano… game 🎯
And with that… HS 🏀 season ✔️
It wasn’t always easy, but players/families, coaches, officials, administrators, everyone else that played a part, you got it done 👏🏼
Now it’s spring sports for some. If you’re onto AAU, I’ll see you on the circuit. But first… Monday off 😴
Parents: a guide for yelling things to players.
‘Would I get punched in the mouth if I said this to their face and not from the 8th row?’
If the answer is yes, do us all a favor, remember you’re yelling at a teenage kid just bc your kid is on the other team, and
#JustShutUp
It’s March 1. If you’re still playing at this point in your HS season, congratulations. Only a select group make it this far. No flukes by now. One of the most fun times of every year for me. Make your own history!
2022
@ameliarw33
showed the development in her game to dozens of coaches in attendance this morning. A handful of threes, a couple coming off the dribble including this one for
@nyhavoc
. 6’0” guard that many D1s will be making an early priority 👀
I don’t think I’ve ever started event coverage with a montage of smiles & poses, but hey, this wasn’t every event. Competitive on the court… fun when the clock hit zeroes. This group made it a Friday night I won’t forget!
My reaction all 2nd half as
@Nepa_Elite
advanced to
@hgsl_girls
QFs: ‘lmao come on’ 😂
She’s been doing it for years now so not a surprise, but there are times that Kiyomi McMiller’s talent level is jaw-dropping. As talented as there is in 🇺🇸. All this in big 2nd half moments ⬇️
A few Day 1
#ViewsFromTheBaseline
from
@SelectEventsBB
Live at the Nook 📸 Friday in the books, finally back to the car. Wawa stop, back to the hotel, & back at it bright & early tomorrow for 14 hours of fun. See you then!
Low numbers? No problem. Missing 4 of their regulars, it was still a changing of the guard as the Young Guns - one of the youngest teams in the league - handled business tonight & won the 5th Annual EST Summer league championship game. Congrats to Coach
@Meg_Bo11
& the crew 👊🏼
Didn’t bring her up much on here, but two really solid days for Shen 2020 Bella Stuart at the Amsterdam Holiday Showcase. Her versatility and high motor at both ends has made her an important part of a team hitting its stride. Impact that reaches beyond the box score
Born & raised in the 315... finally running an event in the Mohawk Valley. 3 courts to work at the Accelerate Sports Complex in Whitesboro (Utica area). The EST Summer Kickoff is back ⬇️
HIGH SCHOOL (2022-2024 classes)! Friday night, June 4. Save the date 🗓 details coming soon!
Well over 100 ESTers, including 55 of the 88 New Yorkers that saw action in the 2019 summer league, earn NYSSWA all-state honors. The full list... here!
When
@CatherineDadey
gets hot, it gets fun 🔥
Playing outside with a little wind was all good for the
@WCSDAthletics
/
@nyhavoc
2022 G. These were in a 2-3 minute stretch & she hit a few more after... even had to look over to let us know what time it was 🤑🤑
Thankful for these girls & families that took their weekend to come together for good ball for a good cause in Johnson City. As fun of an end to summer 🏀 as I could ask for. Much love! Another Mase Madness in the books!
@maevedonnellyy
@AmandaMitch10
@morgang_21
@Catie253
I tend to keep absurd pictures around in case I can ever use them. This counts as one of those moments. Fitting that two people that walk around like this both get their first D1 offer from the same school within hours 😂
@AmandaMitch10
@bellastuart35
#BuddySystem
This is just from the 1st half.
@ZMesuch
is like that 🥶 special 2025 talent. DEEP 1v1 package which gets the attention (here too), but also excels at making non-highlight plays. Helps orchestrate O, battles on D, competes & plays w/ urgency. Substance with style. BRIGHT future!
ATTITUDE is important on the court. Snapping at teammates, coaches, and referees is a quick way to turn me - and many others - off. Is the talent worth the collateral damage? Not often. This is a major part of the evaluation process!
#DontBeThatGuy
🚨NEW EVENT ALERT🚨
6th Annual EST Fall Showcase
Riverfront Sports (Scranton, PA)
Sat, November 7
2 sessions (2:30-5:30, 6-9 PM)
2021-2024
KeyST? 1st event in the Keystone State & couldn’t be more excited. Let’s make it happen!
FULL RELEASE/REGISTRATION:
No better way to end Part I of USJN yesterday than JP vs TFlo. Oh, their players are pretty good too 😂 a
@bellastuart35
trey put
@nyhavoc
over the top in a fun championship matchup against
@NJFreedombball
. Ton of talent on both sides, including several scholarship commits
Big congrats to
@CairnsDolly5
on scoring her 2000th point tonight. 2K is impressive at any level; doing it in Class AA & in a league with many of the section’s top programs is another level. Not in it for stats or accolades either, always all about the W. Special player & person!
Coming up on a new weekend, but let’s run it back to the last one. Spent Fri-Sun at Spooky Nook, this time for the
@hgsl_girls
Spooky Nook Jam Fest. Lot of basketball, lot of players that caught my eye, figured I’d write about it. Check it out... here!
You know what time it is.. win or go home. Hundreds of teams left in the field. In 2 weeks, the last 10 standing in Section 2 will meet here @ HVCC. One month from today, the last 20 standing in the NYSPHSAA will battle for supremacy. Will I see you here? 👀 the next step begins!
No practices or tournaments? Find a backyard & ball. Making lemonade in summer 2020!
Started a busy yesterday getting to watch some of the 518’s HS & college-bound talent working in the 90+ degree heat - for the love of the game! The smile on Ahnalese’s face says it all ⬇️
With this, the inaugural
@hgsl_girls
champion is decided. Looked like it was destined to be a 2nd OT matchup between these two, but
@Nepa_Elite
has the last say at the regulation buzzer.
@rachael_rose14
the drive, contested layup off but
@ToomeyCiera
the cleanup. Another classic!
Cambridge 57
Watkins Glen 43
Final
Cambridge breaks it open w a fantastic q4 to win the Class C state title.
@Sophie_Philly
hung 24 in the W, Stasia Epler added 14. 4 between 9-11 for WG in what was a great effort. 4 2021s & a 2022 in the starting lineup... the future is now 👀
Event pic time 📸
Thankful to all that took their time out on this beautiful Sunday to make the 1st Annual EST Fall Futures Combine a great one. Some of tomorrow’s brightest from across NY & VT in the gym. Thank you to ALL that made today a success!
The
@hgsl_girls
2022 title came down to usual suspects as
@Nepa_Elite
&
@ESBC_BlueFlames
hit the court, w NEPA seizing control early 2nd half & holding off a late Empire push to earn the crown. 2 programs that work to develop their talent & do things “the right way”. Good to see!
This kid saved her best night for last. One of the OGs ends 4 years of EST as leader in assists & top 3 in scoring. Wednesday’s stat lines:
Game 1: 27 pts (her EST career high & league high for season), 9 rebs, 3 asts
Game 2: 14 pts, 15 rebs, 5 asts
End of an era!
So this is cool.
@TUSidelines
, THANK YOU for taking the time to cover the league & highlighting the talented athletes of our region. And a big thanks to
@graceheeps32
@CairnsDolly5
@sophietoug
@CoachTFLO
, who all jumped in on the ground floor, for all the overly kind words!
Final result on the scoreboard may not have been what they hoped, but one thing is clear: Olivia Kelley is a winner. Saved one of her best HS performances for last night. Toughness, leadership, uncanny court vision, & she added 16 pts to it. Manhattanville is getting a gem!
#TodaysOffice
(thru Sunday)
Spooky Nook
You know why I’m here 🗣️
The epicenter of my coverage region picked up & moved to Manheim, PA for the weekend. 34 courts at the Nook & 34 time slots of heat the next 3 days. Catch me on one of them for
@SelectEventsBB
&
@UANextGHoops
📝
Most impressive team I saw today? The new kids on the block.
@Coach_Clark42
’s first-year
@Nepa_Elite
was great today in 2 impressive Ws. More on them, particularly these 4 ⬇️ soon. There’s some real talent in the 570 that’s slept on... putting people on notice now 👀
The stat line, impressive: 21 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast, 8 stl
The milestone, impressive: scored her 1000th
But how she did it all was what caught my eye. Great showing from
@graceheeps32
yesterday, who was confident in scoring it & was a thermostat for NMH. Knew when to change the temp!
The summer is LONG for competitive basketball players. Lot of aches, pains, & fatigue this time of year, which isn’t lost on me. Shoutout to everyone that came through at the league tonight. Lower numbers for many teams, but a lot of warriors in the gym tonight 👊🏼
Over half the team from upstate/western NY, including 4 of 5 regular starters (2 freshmen).. but upstate doesn’t have players?
Coach Castelli has done a fine job recruiting & bringing in upstate talent, & they’ve done a lot of winning this winter. Love seeing locals have success!
Congratulations to
@LeMoyneWBB
on being ranked 24th in this week's
@wbca1981
DII Coaches' Poll. The Dolphins are ranked nationally for the first time in the program's history!
Complete poll:
Some belated Sunday
#ViewsFromTheBaseline
from
@SelectEventsGB
The Challenge at Spooky Nook. Missed today’s matchups - and judging by the scores, they were as good as I thought - but got plenty in over the weekend! Another quality trip to the 717. Back in a few days 👀
#TodaysOffice
(and the next few days)
Kentucky Expo Center
You know why I’m here 🤷🏻♂️
80+ courts of action at the 2022 edition of
@TFNsRun4Roses
. I’ll have my focus on teams within my general ‘coverage region’, but they’re here from everywhere. It’s go time in Louisville!
Great to see
@JackiePiddock
back in action at a couple recent
@nyhavoc
workouts. The 2022 PG is one of upstate NY’s finest. Always solid & as smart as they come. Can fill it up but also creates for others & consistently makes winning plays. Holds a couple D1 offers now. Clips! ⬇️
The 11 month hiatus is FINALLY almost over. Monday... games are back in NY 🙏🏼
Started the process of reaching out to ADs/coaches & can already see getting in to cover games will be no simple task, but anywhere I’m allowed, I’ll be there. Never been so happy for the winter grind!
It’s a Sheetz dinner instead tonight, but you know the drill. A full Saturday in the books at
@SelectEventsBB
Live at the Nook. Back at it brighter & earlier (8 AM) tomorrow. Finish strong! A few upstate NY
#ViewsFromTheBaseline
to wrap it up for today 📸
This kid… want to talk about dedicated? Already D1 committed but made the 3+ hour drive from Union Springs two weeks in a row for Summer Run & taking no prisoners.
@LoyolaWBB
commit
@KaileyKalet
(
@USCSD_Wolves
&
@syracuseroyals
)… just different. Another great showing ✔️
The news of the night comes out of CNY.
@Oneida_GBball
/
@syracuseroyals
standout
@SydLush_24
makes the call, committing to local D2 power
@LeMoyneWBB
. Too much good to say about Syd in a tweet - been a big fan for years. Dolphins do it again - a major pickup for them! Congrats!
Huge Congrats to 2021 Combo Syd Lusher
@SydLush_24
on her commitment to further her academic and 🏀 journey playing for Coach Gina Castelli and
@LeMoyneWBB
👑🏀
#RoyalFamily
The calm AFTER the storm 😴
11 of the last 32 evenings have been
#ESTSummerRun
nights, 9 of them at MD Sports Hall. Put a bow on one of the most enjoyable months of 🏀 I can remember with two great sessions tonight. So many people to thank. Summer Run, see you in 2022!
Good to see
@Sophie_Philly
on the court at
@nyhavoc
workouts! Months w/o live competition but the
@RhodyWBB
commit looks like she’s in midseason form. Fundamentally sound, athletic, smart, competes, & you already know if she gets space... take it out the net 🤑
@CCS_Girls_BBall
Here’s to a full, fun, safe (and hopefully as injury-free as possible) July. Safe travels to everyone on the road this month. Happy to have the summer grind back in 2021!
Next stop for me: the great state of Indiana for a few days📍see you there!