Uncommitted Seniors in North Carolina
Thanks to the unprecedented situation we find ourselves in at the present these players are some of the ones that through no fault of their own are in a difficult situation. With all the State Championships games canceled, all the…
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Continue ReadingThanks to the unprecedented situation we find ourselves in at the present these players are some of the ones that through no fault of their own are in a difficult situation. With all the State Championships games canceled, all the spring showcases now on hold or postponed and the uncertainty of when things will get back to normal these players are in need of some added exposure. Also with things like they are college recruiters are not able to get out and see players so are relying on different means to scout players this is one of those means. Here are some of the top seniors that at the moment are not committed to playing at the next level.
Leading this list is 5’8” Guard from Pinecrest Keayna McLaughlin. How this player has escaped the college recruiter’s eyes I have no idea. She is literally a walking stat sheet averaging 21.3ppg, 5.8apg, 6.2rpg and 4.5spg she is by far one of the most complete players I have seen. Her strength is she has few weaknesses in her game. She has a solid build ready-made for the physical Division 1 level, she shoots the ball well, has great handles is a solid defender and excellent rebounder for her size. There are a lot of college programs in need of a solid guard and she fills this void and more, Her coach describes her as unselfish and wanting to pass first to get others involved. She was 3rd team All-State as voted by the NCCBA and was POY and 1st Team All-District as well as receiving All-Conference honors. She has the skills that will be easy to transfer to the next level and if she is not on top of Division 1 recruiting boards someone missed her because she will make a special addition to any college program.
Next on the list for those colleges, which should be most of you, in need of a high basketball IQ player with good size and just great basketball instincts then here is your player, D.H Conley’s 5’11” small forward Jenna Wooten. After watching her play the first thing that came to mind was “this girl knows how to play the game.” She is one of those players that just seems to always be in the right place at the right time a lost art in the game of basketball but one that used to carry a lot of weight at the next level. To add to this talent she is a pure knockdown shooter from range and everyone can use a pure knockdown shooter on the floor. She has a nice swagger on the court and plays with tremendous confidence. She averaged 15 ppg and was named to the 3rd team NCCBA and SuddenLink All-State teams as well as POY and 1st team All-District honors. How she is unsigned is beyond me as her IQ means she can play in any system and would be valuable to any program.
Sometimes players have to play out of position for the good of the team, and because of this their skills may get overlooked. Recruiters have to view them at their position at the next level and the skills they will need which can be difficult our next player fits into that mode. Vance Charter School’s Nadia Simmons is a 5’7” player asked to play the forward position but has the skills to easily transition to the guard position at the next level. She has all the attributes needed to play guard, she is a smart ball-handler, an elite passer who sees the floor extremely well and an elite shooter and scorer. She averaged 18.9ppg scoring from both inside and outside with next-level ability to finish around the rim. She is also a great defender with great anticipation and ability to get into passing lanes which shows in her 4 steals per game average. Her honors include a 1st All-District Team honor as well as All-Conference. This player should be playing at the next level and recruiters who missed her because she was playing out of position need to get some film on her and you will see just how talented this player is.
When watching a game there is usually one player that makes you go Wow did she just do that and have you waiting to see what she is going to do next. That is what I found myself doing while watching East Lincoln High School’s 5’7” guard Brianna Tadlock. How this guard has not already committed somewhere by now is hard to believe. Her ball-handling and passing skills are unique and she just loves playing the game and it shows in her play. Offensively she has all the skills needed at the next level she is a great passer and always finds the open man, she handles with ease, she is an above-average shooter and can create her own shot with ease which lead to her 21.1ppg average. She is another one of those players that just knows how to play the game and make the correct play. Defensively her smarts and anticipation make her a good defender and team defender. Her skills will make sure she fits into any college program and system and her flashy passing skills and her pure enthusiasm for the game will assure she is a crowd favorite. Her honors include 1st Team All-District and All-Conference honors. If you are looking for a solid guard to run your program that just knows how to play and loves playing the game then this is your player.
Now my “Are you kidding me she is not signed” player the biggest sleeper I believe in North Carolina girls basketball and one that I would love to coach at the next level. I mean who doesn’t want a 6’1” double double machine on their team at any level at any program these types of players are hard to come by and this one is unsigned as of now OMG. She is the type of player that college coaches love because of her versatility the new buzz word in college hoops. Players that can play multiple positions and guard multiple positions that can score in close and step out and make the jumper these players are worth their weight in gold to all teams giving their coach so many options. She is Faith Francis of Westover High School and this girl is the truth. She is solid around the basket and despite her slim frame is a force to deal with inside and can score with ease in the paint. She can also step out and shoot the ball with ease, is solid in transition, I mean she can score when needed to the tune of 15.4ppg. But where this player shines is on the defensive side of the ball, she is remarkable. Her wingspan and size, her athletic ability and anticipation make her a fierce defender that will excel in any defensive scheme full court or half court, jumping passing lanes or protecting the rim she can do it all with ease leading to 10.8rpg, 4 steals per game and 3 blocks per game a defensive stat sheet stuffer. Her honors include 1st Team All-District and All-Conference honors. The sky is the limit for her as she is a hard worker and as she matures and gets stronger she is going to be a force for someone and everyone else will be the ones that missed out. If you are a coach that prides itself on defense and versatile players then this girl is for your program and believe me you will be pleasantly surprised.