Nike National Reviews - Bahnam & Dahlman receive high praises for their performances at Nike Nationals!
08/06/2010 - 04:33 PM

Glenn Nelson/ESPN.com Rachel Banham of Lakeville, Minn., was a serious candidate for most outstanding player at Nike Nationals.

North Tartan players Rachel Banham (North Tartan Nike Elite Team) and Rebekah Dahlman (North Tartan 15U team) received high praises from ESPN - HOOPGURLZ after their performances last week (July 28th-30th) at the prestigious Nike National tournament in North Augusta, South Carolina.  This tournament brings in the top teams in the nation each year to battle for the coveted prize of Nike National Champions.  While both teams more than held their own in this tournament, these two players were singled out as difference makers for their respective teams.  The following is what Hoopgurlz had to say about the two guards:

Rachel Banham, North Tartan: This 5-foot-7 point guard from Lakeville, Minn., impressed coaches and evaluators early in the summer and continued to do so all the way through North Tartan's loss during the quarterfinals in North Augusta. The Minnesota-bound standout demonstrated a college-level maturity to her play and a court presence that should have the Gopher faithful excited about her decision to stay home for her college career. With the ball in her hands she is strong and aggressive in creating both opportunities for herself as well as her teammates. She utilizes both a change in speed and direction that continually gets defenders out of their stance and leaves them trying to recover and calling for help. In the paint her body control and patience allows her make good decisions on either the pass or the shot. She constantly is on the attack, which gets her to the line time and again and forces opponents to give thought to zone defenses as an answer. Her form and range make her a legitimate 3-point threat but it's her pull up off the dribble that is most impressive. Banham shoots off the dribble from the distance that most guards only think of spotting up and her impressive elevation gives her a good look at any shot she takes. Defensively she's active and physical on the ball and anticipates well with good vision on the weakside. Had she and her teammates advanced, Banham was a strong candidate for the most outstanding player of the event.  Banham was also named to the 5 member all-tournament team:    *Chosen by ESPN HoopGurlz Staff
Rachel Banham, North Tartan
Rachel Hollivay, Essence
Moriah Jefferson, DFW (Most Outstanding Player)
Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Tenn. Flight
Amber Orrange, DFW
 

Rebekah Dahlman, North Tartan 15: The North Tartan basketball program may soon find itself associated with the Big Apple. No, director Bill Larson won't be moving his program to the basketball Mecca, but the play of his talented point guards may bring into question their origin. With super-skilled Rachel Banham leading their older posse and Dahlman orchestrating the younger version, Larson has assembled a duo of leading guards only comparable to past tandems hailing from New York. Dahlman is a strong guard who has very good defensive skills and was able to stay in from of any guard present. Her offensive game includes a very quick first step and a deadly step back jump shot. Her speed with the ball is cosmic and size ideal. Her toughness will also remind many of what's become a signature of "the borough cagers." Look for Dahlman among the top of the rankings in the Class of 2013. And it's Minnesota, not New York, which has produced this talented backcourt sensation.