Earl Epps

Coach. Mentor. Builder.
Building disciplined athletes and resilient leaders.
Character first. Basketball second.
Respect everyone. Fear no one. 🚀

[Earl Epps @EarlEppsJr]

Congratulations Ansley, Sadie, & Naomi on your All Tourney Team selection.

@sadie23_2029 @naomi11_2029
@ansleylawson_15 @thunderbballinc @NE2Khoops @NE2K_Rich @HHSGenerals @Lady_BruinHoops @nmmountaineers

[Earl Epps @EarlEppsJr]

My 2029 girls first season on the @NE2Khoops circuit was an experience our girls will never forget.

Thank you to @NE2K_Rich and the entire NE2K staff for providing first-class competition and an outstanding environment for player development.

A special thank you to @NE2K_Rich for setting up the matchup with @GremlinsUniversity / @Bouncenation_J. Our girls loved the opportunity to compete against one of the nation’s top programs. Those are the experiences that help young players grow.

This group continued the @thunderbballinc standard: work hard, compete every possession, and never quit. They represented our program the right way every time they stepped on the floor.

We’re proud of what they accomplished, but even more excited about where they’re headed. The future is bright.

@sadie23_2029 @naomi11_2029 @erinlangham2029 @jordynt2029 @DPayne_2029 @ansleylawson_15 @baileybrown2029 @Collinsfle89553
@elizabeth76092211

[Earl Epps @EarlEppsJr]

NE2K Circuit Player Evaluation:

Erin Langham

Erin’s shooting gave Thunder another dimension offensively. Her ability to stretch the floor forced defenses to respect the perimeter, opening driving lanes for teammates. She showed the confidence to make timely shots while contributing to the team’s spacing and offensive flow.

Strengths
Elite perimeter shooting
Floor spacing
Offensive confidence
Movement without the basketball

Growth Area
Continue attacking closeouts to become a more complete offensive player.

@ErinLangham2029 @thunderbballinc @NE2KHoops @nmmountaineers

[Earl Epps @EarlEppsJr]

NE2K Circuit Player Evaluation:

Collins Fletcher

Collins’ confidence steadily grew throughout the tournament. She became a reliable offensive option while remaining efficient and unselfish. She played within the team’s system, moved well without the basketball, and consistently contributed quality minutes.

Strengths
Efficient scoring
Confidence
Movement without the basketball
Team-first approach

Growth Area
Continue attacking the basket with confidence.

@CollinsFle89553 @thunderbballinc @NE2KHoops @HHSGenerals

[Earl Epps @EarlEppsJr]

NE2K Circuit Player Evaluation:

Ansley Lawson

Ansley proved to be one of the team’s most versatile players. She defended multiple positions, rebounded well, facilitated offense when needed, and consistently accepted whatever role the team required. Her willingness to do the little things made Thunder a more complete basketball team.

Strengths
Versatility
Rebounding
Defensive flexibility
Passing
Toughness

Growth Area
Continue looking to score aggressively when opportunities present themselves.

@ansleylawson_15 @thunderbballinc @NE2KHoops @HHSGenerals

[Earl Epps @EarlEppsJr]

NE2K Circuit Player Evaluation:

Naomi Hulett

Naomi embodied winning basketball. She consistently filled whatever role the team needed, whether it was defending the opponent’s best player, creating offense, rebounding, facilitating, or scoring. Her basketball IQ and willingness to put the team’s success ahead of personal statistics made her one of Thunder’s most valuable players.

Strengths
Elite basketball IQ
Defensive versatility
Toughness
Passing and playmaking
Team-first mentality

Growth Area
Continue looking for offensive opportunities earlier in possessions.

@Naomi11_2029 @thunderbballinc @NE2KHoops @nmmountaineers

[Earl Epps @EarlEppsJr]

NE2K Circuit Player Evaluation:

Bailey Brown

Bailey embraced every role asked of her. Whether contributing offensively, defending, or providing energy, she remained prepared and consistent. Her willingness to stay ready regardless of minutes or touches strengthened the team’s depth and chemistry.

Strengths

Readiness
Efficient scoring
Team-first mentality
Defensive effort

Growth Area
Continue creating offense through defense and transition opportunities.

@BaileyBrown2029 @thunderbballinc @NE2KHoops
@nmmountaineers

[Earl Epps @EarlEppsJr]

NE2K Circuit Player Evaluations:

Sadie Spurlock

Sadie developed into one of the team’s most complete players. She controlled the offense with poise, made excellent decisions with the basketball, and became a consistent scoring threat without sacrificing her role as a facilitator. Defensively, she pressured opposing guards and created countless extra possessions. Her growth throughout the tournament reflected increased confidence and leadership.

Strengths

Elite point guard play
Court vision
Defensive pressure
Efficient scoring
Composure under pressure

Growth Area
Continue attacking the rim aggressively against athletic defenders.

@Sadie23_2029 @thunderbballinc @NE2KHoops @NHSLadyBruins

[Earl Epps @EarlEppsJr]

NE2K Circuit Player Evaluation:
Jordyn Thomas

Jordyn was the driving force behind Thunder’s success throughout the tournament. She consistently led the team offensively while impacting every other phase of the game. She scored at all three levels, created opportunities for teammates, rebounded well for a guard, and set the tone defensively with relentless ball pressure. Even when opponents built their game plan around stopping her, she continued finding ways to help the team win.

Strengths

Elite three-level scorer
High-level playmaker
Defensive playmaker
Outstanding transition player
Consistent leadership and competitiveness

Growth Area
Continue becoming an even more vocal leader who helps settle the team during adversity.

@jordynt2029 @thunderbballinc @NE2KHoops @panther_rhs

[Earl Epps @EarlEppsJr]

Freshmen. Playing an 11th grade team loaded with high-level talent and Division I commits.

We didn’t flinch.

We got hit early, kept competing, won the second half 28-25, and kept fighting until the final buzzer. That’s who this group is.

Jordyn Thomas led the way with 16 points, 7 assists, and 5 steals. Erin Langham buried 3 threes and finished with 11. Addison Goza owned the glass with 6 rebounds. We finished with 15 assists, 13 steals, and shot 53% on our two-point attempts.

This game wasn’t about the scoreboard.

It was about proving we belong on the floor with anyone.

Iron sharpens iron. These battles prepared us for the run that followed, and this team answered every challenge Louisville threw at them.

I’m proud of every one of these young women.

Now enjoy the highlights. 🔥🏀💙🩷

@sadie23_2029 @naomi11_2029 @erinlangham2029 @jordynt2029 @ansleylawson_15 @baileybrown2029 @Collinsfle89553 @thunderbballinc @NE2Khoops @NE2K_Rich @gremfather @Bouncenation_J @TFNsRun4Roses

[Earl Epps @EarlEppsJr]

@sadie23_2029 @naomi11_2029 @erinlangham2029 @jordynt2029 @ansleylawson_15 @baileybrown2029 @Collinsfle89553

[Earl Epps @EarlEppsJr]

@MaliaBishop24 @PheeElite @Coach_Brent24 @NE2KHoops @NE2K_Rich @TFNsRun4Roses Your girls played a great championship game. I’m sure we’ll see you guys again in the future.

- Earl Epps
Thunder Basketball

[Earl Epps @EarlEppsJr]

Championship Game Day.

One game.

That’s all that separates this team from a championship.

These young women have earned every step of this journey. They didn’t get here by chance. They got here by trusting each other, competing for every possession, and refusing to let one moment define them.

Today isn’t about pressure.

It’s about opportunity.

An opportunity to play together one more time. An opportunity to show who they are. An opportunity to leave the floor knowing they gave everything they had for the teammate beside them.

No matter what the scoreboard says, these girls have already made us proud.

Now it’s time to play free.
Play fearless.
Play for each other.

Let’s finish this together.

🏆 NE2K Platinum Championship
💙🩷🧡 #OneTeam #OneGoalInLouisville

@sadie23_2029 @naomi11_2029 @erinlangham2029 @jordynt2029 @AddisonGoza_22 @ansleylawson_15 @baileybrown2029 @Collinsfle89553 @thunderbballinc @NE2Khoops @NE2K_Rich

[Earl Epps @EarlEppsJr]

Thirteen games. Thirteen wins. One opportunity left.

As proud as I am of what they’ve already accomplished, I’m even more proud of who they are. They play the game the right way. They defend. They share the ball. They compete. They represent Thunder Basketball with class.

Now they have the opportunity to play for the NE2K Platinum Championship.

Win or lose, my confidence in these young women has never been higher. I know they’ll step on that floor together, fight for each other, and leave everything they have between those lines.

One more game.
One more opportunity.
One team.

Let’s go finish what we’ve worked so hard to earn.

@sadie23_2029 @naomi11_2029 @erinlangham2029 @jordynt2029 @AddisonGoza_22 @ansleylawson_15 @baileybrown2029 @Collinsfle89553 @thunderbballinc @NE2Khoops @NE2K_Rich