The mercury was not the only thing rising in Lilburn, Georgia on July 21 2019 as the LBI Atlanta Live Showcase kicked off at Parkview High School. The 40 plus college programs in attendance on Day 1 of the two day event were treated to some of the most exciting girls basketball action in the Southeastern states. While there were a number of individual players that had the college recruiters scrambling for courtside seats there was one team in particular that literally took Atlanta by storm on Day 1. The Carolina Flames 17uEYBL-Morris team served notice of how potent there lineup is by registering a 44-6 win in their opening round victory and a 43-25 win over a talented Phoenix Elite GUAA squad in the nightcap. The Flames are tall, talented, deep and frighteningly good. Saniya Rivers, a quicksilver guard who sits at or near the top of the recruiting list for many of the nations elite programs,is the ringleader out front. The supporting cast includes 6-3 SG Teonni Key, 6-2 PF Anya Poole and 6-3 robo-rebounder Imani Lester. The Flames may be challenged in a Day 2 matchup against an uber-talented SC 76rs Black squad in a mid-day showdown. Look for The 76rs led by Milaysia Fulwiley, Ashlyn Watkins, Taylor Henderson, J’Mani Ingram and Nyah Leveretter to be up to the task. There figures to be at least a dozen mid-to-high major college prospects on the floor at any given juncture in what should be the marquee matchup at Atlanta Live.
A few other young ladies turned in some top-flight Day 1 performances at LBI Atlanta Live including:
Janiya Byrd- (Team United 2023/5’2 PG)
Tenacious on ball defender...Solid ball handler and high motor player...Does an excellent job of orchestrating and getting everyone involved..Definitely one to watch for the future.
Imani Lester- (Carolina Flames 17u EYBL Morris/6’3 C)
Has made serious strides over the last six months….often the trigger woman of the Flames lethal transition game...dominant positional defensive rebounder...backline defender who embraces the enforcer...Intelligent, team-first player who keeps adding dimensions to her skill set...demonstrated good court awareness and the ability to deliver timely passes.
Somarian Webb- (Lady Team SC 10th/5’9 SF)
Very agile wing player...Comfy with ball in space..Above average touch out to 15-18 feet… Has all the basic skills and basketball savvy to develop in to a game changer if she is willing to put in the time.
Genesis Morales-(Team Loaded-Brooks/5’5 CG)
Quick as a whip with outstanding basketball instincts...dangerous off the bounce but also capable of bombing away consistently from well beyond the three point-arc...she is a miniature pick-pocket who uses her quick hands and athleticism to pick opposing ball handlers clean...hard to pinpoint exactly what level but this young lady will be a solid contributor at the next level.
Lavariah Armstead- (Carolina Flames 16u Hodges/5’7 PG)
Dictates game tempo with her defensive prowess….quick hands and feet and she uses them to full advantage...finishes well in transition...Needs to develop more perimeter consistency but she was consistently the hardest worker on the floor.
