The Quarantine Report 2: South Florida Hoops Players to Watch
Continued coverage of South Florida Hoopers, the Sunshine State is flooded with talent. Alyanna McGrath 6’0 2021 (Coral Glades) – Once she gets it in the low post, it is hard to stop her. She has an old school bully-ball…
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Continue ReadingContinued coverage of South Florida Hoopers, the Sunshine State is flooded with talent.
Alyanna McGrath 6’0 2021 (Coral Glades) – Once she gets it in the low post, it is hard to stop her. She has an old school bully-ball game, McGrath gets to her spots and goes to work. She can also do damage at the high post, the rising senior will drive hard right and lower her shoulder to finish, I like that she looks for the contact. McGrath knows how to use her body to clear the space she needs, she gets you on her back and demands the ball when she knows she has a mismatch. She gets to the boards, and does have the ability to start the break if her guards don’t call for it. She can finish over either shoulder and has a jumper that to me makes her college-ready, with her ability to stretch the floor and hit threes.
Gabriela Bendeck Gabriela Bendeck 5'4" | CG Miami Christian | 2021 State FL Giron 5’4 2021 (Miami Christian) – Giron has speed and handle that jumps out on film. Her ball control is what separates her from most guards I’ve seen at her level. She will draw the defense when she penetrates and has the craftiness around the rim to finish on bigger defenders. Giron is the kind of player that opposing coaches tell their players, “just stay in front, don’t gamble”, reaching against her is ill-advised. Coming off 19ppg. it comes as no surprise she was named First Team All-Dade, She will use hesitation to freeze defenders, and has the change of pace to concentrate on a floater over the big. A floor general, who can score at will. The first-teamer directs traffic when needed, makes great quick reads, and will deliver the right pass out of the Pick and Roll, Giron has Division 1 written all over.
Lindsey Weingard Lindsey Weingard 5'6" | PG Dr Krop | 2021 State FL 5’6 2021 (Krop) – I was told #5 was a shooter, which she is, and so much more. My favorite part of her game is the way she distributes the ball. Weingard is the kind of player that teammates love to play with because she draws so much attention, and if you run the floor, she will find you. After leading the Lightning to a district title, she earned All-Dade first-team honors. She has college-level range, off the dribble, or spotting up, three’s are like layups for the rising senior. Her jumper gives her the ability to play the 2, she’s one of those players who just has it, Weingard is a stud.
Carla Jean Carla Jean 5'5" | CG North Miami | 2021 State FL 5’6 2021 (North Miami) – Jean has a nice quick release on her jumper, and she can get in the lane with an array of finishes. She is active defensively when the Pioneers press and when they force turnovers, she is looking to score. The rising senior can also pass, she will find her teammates for easy finishes if the defense is overly focused on her. She has the range to pull a deep one off the dribble if the defense is sleeping. Scoring wise, the lefty can fill it up.
Sydney Blue 5’8 2022 (Spanish River Boca) – Standing at 5’8, Blue has good size for a guard, the ability to play in the frontcourt on defense, and then initiate fast breaks. She has solid anticipation on defense, and after she gets a steal she will make the right play. Blue has a good arch and hip explosion on her jump shot, her release is quick, making her a capable shooter. She controls the tempo well and is a willing passer who gets her teammates easy looks. She can knock down teardrops and has a nice hesitation when attacking in transition, the rising junior is very serviceable at the PG spot for the Sharks.
Amber Mateo 5’4 2022 (Keysgate Charter) – With Amari Hunter Amari Hunter 5'6" | CG Somerset Silver Palms | 2021 State FL in her final stint, Keysgate is in good hands with Mateo, scoring-wise. The Rising Junior has the deep ball, and she will get by you and finish at the rim. She can spot-up shoot and hit threes off the dribble. What I like most is that close-outs don’t phase her, she will hit even with a hand in her face. She has the range to go along with her quick release, Mateo is a confident shooter, coming off averaging double figures for the Knights.
Ashleigh Battle 5’0 2023 (Cardinal Gibbons) – Battle is the kind of player that her peers just gravitate towards. A product of the heart-over-height mold, as a freshman she dropped around 200 dimes averaging 7 a night. I was impressed to hear about her ability to lead amongst players who are 2-3 years older. A blur in the open court, she can freeze defenders and finish in the lane herself. Battle has a good release on her jumper and is very capable of catching and shooting. A scrappy defender, she can cause problems for opposing guards in the backcourt. She plays beyond her years, poised, and will control the tempo. With some good seniors around her on their way to the next level, Gibbons is in good hands with her at the helm. The rising sophomore will look to make it back to Lakeland by continuing to be what makes the Chiefs go.