Best of the Best Upstate: Girls Notebook

Best of the Best Upstate: Girls Notebook

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

BUFFALO, NY – Basketball is a game everyone can play. For years, the guys have always been given the stage to perform in front of some scouts and talent evaluators. Girls have earned some recognition lately. The young ladies of Western New York don’t have Next. These ladies have have NOW.

Several ladies laced it up for the inaugural Best of the Best Upstate. The talent was impressive and the game play was exceptional.

Here are some of the players who made impressions.

Shay Ciezki | 2022 | St. Mary’s: has a great feel for the game. She was electrifying on both ends of the floor. Her elevation on her jumper was fluid. The consistency provided the arsenal she needed to mix with her ability to get to the basket. Whenever she was in the open court, her passes and court vision were precise. She handled the ball on a string as if playing on the black tops in New York City. Her game has a lot of flare with substance. This sophomore had swag usually reserved for All-Americans. Ciezki could be well on her way as her game develops. Syracuse, University of Buffalo, Niagara and Canisus have all already extended offers.

Jessica Cook | 2021 | North Syracuse: is a post player with a high motor. She was an imposing presence on both ends of court. Her ability to cradle rebounds outside of her area was impressive. She also kicked the ball out and became a strong rim runner. This is where Cook showed her great hands and improved athleticism. She has put in the work and college coaches have taken notice. Miami of Ohio, St. Bonaventure, Marist, St. Joe’s University, Quinnipiac, Toledo and Canisus have all offered.

Amaya McLeod | 2023 | Rome Free Academy: is a solid hooper for a youngster. She gets to the rim with ease. Her knack for scoring is impeccable hitting from all levels on the floor. She is an excellent rebounder for guard with little to no fear in mixing things up. 

Jade Rutledge | 2022 | Cardinal O’Hara: is the epitome of an energy giver. She comes into the game with vibrant activity on both ends of the floor. She was aggressive around the glass, while also eating up space inside on the offensive end.

Amaya Williams | 2021 | Nottingham: if the word resilient had a face in the dictionary her picture would visual. She has a high motor as a defender causing havoc for opponents. Her hands and feet were active. This is usually difficult to find in a player during a showcase setting. Williams’ first step was lightning quick allowing her the ability to get to the basket with ease. She also displayed skills in the open floor dropping off precision passes.

Ella Wanzer | 2021 | Amherst: uses her body efficiently. She has excellent moves around the rim. She is also capable of extending the floor with her perimeter game. 

Catie Cunningham | 2021 | West Genesee: is a relentless rebounder. She has great hands. Her vocal leadership showed Cunningham’s awareness of everything going on. 

Mariah Huss | 2023 | Sacred Heart: is a ton g guard who knows how to get teammates into the correct scoring space. She never allowed any pressure to rattle her. The poise she demonstrated was one of a player who just understood how to evaluate situations in their way before attacking.

Sydney Ottomano | 2022 | St. Mary’s: is a bonafide big guard who shoots the ball decently. She found herself open several times by creating space while moving without the ball. Once she caught it the results usually ended with it finishing at the bottom of the net.