The rosters for the 2020 Hoopsfix All-Star Classic Under-19’s Women game have been revealed, even though the event had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The annual event – supported by Nike and 5or6 – would have brought together the top male and female junior players of their generation to play in three All-Star games across two days (find the boys Underclassmen rosters here, and Class of 2020 rosters here).
The selections recognise the top British female talent around the country in what would have been the second edition of the Women’s game at the event and a last game on UK soil for several players heading to the States.
“Though we are absolutely gutted to have had to cancel the event this year, we felt announcing the selected players is a small gesture to show recognition of those who would have been suiting up,” said Sam Neter, owner of Hoopsfix.
“Despite the event not happening, we will class those selected this year as alumni as with every other year, and they will be listed on the new website – launching soon – with player profiles.
“Congratulations to all those selected, and massive respect to all the clubs, coaches and people who contributed to their development. We look forward to following their progress and development in the coming years.”
Gonzaga commit Esther Little was set to headline Team Black, while the opposing Team White was to be headed up by Amelia Sandie – incoming freshman at Nicholls State – with the GB junior duo receiving their second invites to the Classic.
Little helped lead Ipswich to the WNBL Division 1 title as a final appearance in the WEABL and would have been on the other side of the court to four Copleston team-mates including Cameron Taylor-Willis, who was the youngest participant in the inaugural Under-19 Women’s game in 2019.
The Eckerd College commit is joined by fellow All-South Conference WEABL First Team member Ella Pearson, WEABL South Conference DPOY Susannah Rafiu as well as sharpshooter Charlotte Redhead with the trio earning their first selections.
Team White also includes WEABL Northern Conference MVP Abbey Whitehouse with the GB Under-16 guard leading the league with 22.3 points per game for Sheffield College, whilst also posting 12.6 rebounds, 5.0 steals and 1.1 blocks.
Jade Mbam is off to Angelo State University after another strong year with Manchester Mystics and was set to be joined in the Team Black back-court by BA London Lions guard Tamara Fournillier-Onadeko, who will be suiting up for another year in the WBBL.
Oaklands College centre Louise Rouse earned minutes in the WBBL last season and joined Fournillier-Onadeko in the All-WEABL Southern Conference Second Team having averaged 17.6 points and 15.5 rebounds per outing.
Asha Andrews recently announced her verbal commitment to D1 school Hawai’i with the Sevenoaks Suns guard set to suit up for Team White alongside Shaniya Rose, who will be heading to Rollins College in the summer of 2021.
Nottingham Wildcats team-mate Mariam Olawoyin would have been in opposition having impressed in the WEABL last season with 18.1 points per game to make the All-WEABL Northern Conference First Team.
Alex Baker will play alongside Dani Lozzi and Loie Webb at Lynn University in the upcoming campaign and was an All-WEABL Northern Conference Second Team member along with Rose. Former Charnwood team-mate Hannah Dawson will play at Texas A&MI this season and was set to be on the other side of the court for Team Black along with rising star Molly James – who made the All-WEABL Northern Conference First Team.
Caledonia Pride duo Ella Doherty and Jannike Marshall represent Scotland on Team Black with compatriot and GB Under-18 forward Pollyanna Storie on Team White having received another invite to the Classic.
Simona Henshaw and Adaobi Nebuwa helped CoLA reach the WEABL final and were together again on Team White, going up against team-mates in GB Under-16 star Isi Ozzy-Momodu and second-year participant MJ Sarkodee-Adoo.
Rebecca Adjeiwaah-Dwomoh was the only overseas based selection having continued her development in Spain with CoLA’s new recruit Molly Lavin also on Team Black, while Emma Imevbore from London Thunder rounds out Team White having signed with NCAA D1 school Lamar University.
Name, Height, Position, Programme (in 2019-20)
Team Black
Ella Doherty, 5’11”, Guard, Caledonia Pride
Jade Mbam, 5’7″, Guard, Manchester Mystics
Mariam Olawoyin, 5’5″, Guard, Nottingham
Molly James, 5’9″, Guard, Charnwood
Tamara Fournillier Onadeko, 5’10”, Guard, Barking Abbey
Hannah Dawson, 5’10”, Guard/Forward, Charnwood
Rebecca Dwomoh, 5’10”, Guard/Forward, Femeni Maresm (Spain)
Esther Little, 6’2″, Guard/Forward, Copleston
Jannike Marshall, 6’0″, Forward, Caledonia Pride
MJ Sarkodee-Adoo, 6’2″, Forward, City of London Academy
Molly Lavin, 6’2″, Forward, Richmond Knights
Louise Rouse, 6’2″, Forward, Oaklands
Isimenme Ozzy-Momodu, 6’1″, Centre, City of London Academy
Team White
Amelia Sandie, 5’7″, Guard, City of London Academy
Abbey Whitehouse, 5’9″, Guard, Sheffield
Asha Andrews, 5’7″, Guard, Sevenoaks Suns
Charlotte Redhead, 5’7″, Guard, Copleston
Ella Pearson, 5’10”, Guard/Forward, Copleston
Simona Henshaw, 5’10”, Forward, City of London Academy
Shaniya Rose, 6’0″, Forward, Nottingham Wildcats
Susannah Rafiu, 6’1″, Forward, Copleston
Pollyanna Storie, 6’2″, Forward, Caledonia Pride
Adaobi Nebuwa, 5’10”, Forward, City of London Academy
Cameron Taylor-Willis, 6’0″, Forward, Copleston
Emma Imevbore, 6’4″, Centre, London Thunder
Alex Baker, 6’2″, Centre, Charnwood
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