Florida Prospects Christmas Tourney Displays Lots of Talent!
The Florida Prospects Christmas Tourney was loaded with talent in the platinum division. With some of the top teams from all throughout Florida and previously undefeated St. Francis Prep out of New York, the level of basketball that was on display…
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Continue ReadingThe Florida Prospects Christmas Tourney was loaded with talent in the platinum division. With some of the top teams from all throughout Florida and previously undefeated St. Francis Prep out of New York, the level of basketball that was on display was a joy to watch. A large variety of players had standout moments all throughout the week. These are just some of the players that I saw play well. The Champions, Runner-up and Official All Tournament Team/MVP are also listed below.
2022 6’0 F Zaria Blake (Blanche Ely HS/FL) – Zaria did a little bit of everything for Blanche Ely. She has the length and mobility to defend multiple positions. She has a thinner frame and the task of defending opposing team’s posts, but projects as more of a wing for college. Zaria is most impactful as a slasher at this stage of her career. An impact player in big games, despite just being a sophomore.
2020 5’8 PG Mackayla Scarlett (St. Francis Prep/NY) – The Xavier signee really gets after it on both sides of the ball. She is confident with the ball in her hands and can really make plays off the bounce. She is a confident shooter and not afraid of the big moment. She showed why she is headed to the Big East in this event.
2020 6’1 F Zoesha Smith (Glynn Academy/GA) – There were a lot of next level athletes in this event, but Zoesha Smith was quite possibly the most dynamic of them all. She is long, strong and powerfully bouncy. Georgia sat front row to watch her and she did not disappoint. She has a good motor to match her athleticism and that is why she’s headed to the SEC. She missed a handful of bunnies around the basket, but something she can definitely sure up. Zoesha has potential as a real inside-out threat at the next level.
2022 6’1 SF Savannah Henderson (Timber Creek HS/FL) – Easily one of the top sophomores in the entire state. The daughter of Central Florida’s women’s program has obviously grown up around the game. She has the length and shooting stroke at 6’1, but the thing I enjoyed about her game the most is her ability to move without the ball. She is a prototypical wing prospect at the Division 1 level, because of her all around versatility. She was the best give and go cutter in the event and did so effectively time after time. She can hit the three ball and finish with skill inside. She is not ultra quick off the bounce, but can use her length to still make plays out top. Savannah also did a great job at the top of the 1-3-1 zone causing havoc with her length. She is good at clogging space thanks to her wing span and she has some lateral mobility to go with it. She was good for 23, 26 and 29 points in her team’s three game. Extremely impressive performance all around.
2020 6’1 PF Angelee Rodriguez (St. Thomas Aquinas HS/FL) – I came away really impressed with Angelee Rodriguez. She is a really solid power forward prospect with the ability to bang inside with strength and then step out and hit the mid range jumper with a high release. A nice mixture of power and skill in a 6’1 frame. The USF signee was really rock solid every game.
2021 6’1 PF Kayla Blackshear (Lake Highland Prep/FL) – An absolute bruiser inside the paint for the nationally ranked program. Kayla is physical on every rebound and she will make you pay if you miss a block out assignment. She can power through and over defenders in the paint. She is most comfortable drop stepping and finishing with her right hand off the glass if she can. A real impact player that led her team to a runner-up finish for the tourney.
2020 5’5 PG Nina De Leon (Montverde Academy/FL) – The official MVP from the event was clutch throughout the tournament, including a game winner of day one versus St. Francis Prep. Nina is tough as nails and picks up full court causing real pressure for opposing teams. She is an exceptional three shooter and can finish with either hand in the paint, which she attacks aggressively. A clear Division 1 prospect, although being an unsigned senior. *Feature image
Platinum Division Champions: Montverde Academy (10-0)
Platinum Division Runner Up: Lake Highland Prep (13-2)
All Tournament Team:
2022 Savannah Henderson (Timber Creek HS)
2021 Samara Spencer (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)
2021 Kayla Blackshear (Lake Highland Prep)
2022 Stefanie Ingram (Lake Highland Prep)
2022 Fernanda Ovalle (Montverde Academy)
MVP:
2020 Nina De Leon (Montverde Academy)