USA U18 Trials Begin In Colorado Springs

It’s that time of the year again. The USA Basketball program greets its best 18 and under players today in Colorado Springs.

That group includes incoming UConn freshmen Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck.

Here is the press release from USA Basketball about the roster…..

Dominique Brooks (Thornton Fractional South H.S. / Lansing, Ill.) has been added to the 2012 USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team Trials roster and will compete along with 25 previously announced athletes for a spot on the 2012 USA Basketball U18 National Team during the May 18-21 USA U18 National Team Trials, held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Additionally, Kaelyn Causwell (Wesleyan School / Johns Creek, Ga.) has withdrawn from the trials to attend her high school graduation.

Previously announced invitees include: Candice Agee (Silverado H.S. / Victorville, Calif.); Lexie Brown (North Gwinnett H.S. / Suwanee, Ga.); Brianna Butler (Nazareth Regional H.S., N.Y. / King of Prussia, Pa.); Saniya Chong (Ossining H.S. / Ossining, N.Y.); Kahleah Copper (Prep Charter School / Philadelphia, Pa.); Rebekah Dahlman (Braham Area H.S. / Braham, Minn.); Briana Day (Millbrook H.S. / Raleigh, N.C.); Bashaara Graves (Clarksville H.S. / Clarksville, Tenn.); Moriah Jefferson (Texas Home Educators Sports Association / Glenn Heights, Texas); Kailee Johnson (Central Catholic H.S. / Portland, Ore.); Michaela Mabrey (Manasquan H.S. / Belmar, N.J.); Breyana Mason (Forest Park H.S. / Woodbridge, Va.); Tess Picknell  (South Medford H.S. / Medford, Ore.); Kelsey Plum (La Jolla Country Day School / Poway, Calif.); Alexis Prince  (Edgewater / Orlando, Fla.); Faith Randolph (Good Counsel H.S. / Derwood, Md.); Tyler Scaife (Hall H.S. / Little Rock, Ark.); Ieshia Small (Dr. Krop H.S. / Tallahassee, Fla.); Imani Stafford (Winward School / Los Angeles, Calif.); Breanna Stewart (Cicero-North H.S. / North Syracuse, N.Y.); Brittney Sykes  (University H.S. / Newark, N.J.); Morgan Tuck  (Bolingbrook H.S./ Bolingbrook, Ill.); Shilpa Tummala  (St. Mary’s Catholic H.S. / Phoenix, Ariz.); Halle Washington (Parkway H.S. / Bossier City, La.); and Courtney Williams (North Shore H.S. / Houston, Texas).

The team will meet again in Orlando, Fla., for its first training camp May 28-June 2. The USA squad will then return to the USOTC for its final training camp Aug. 3-12, prior to traveling to Puerto Rico for the competition.

The USA U18 National Team will compete in the 2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Aug. 15-19, in hopes of securing a berth in the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship for Women in Lithuania July 18-28, 2013.

Miami coach Katie Meier has replaced Jen Rizzotti has the team’s coach. She will be assisted by Nikki Caldwell of LSU and Kelly Graves of Gonzaga.