Class of 2021 Top Available Players: Wings / Forwards Part 2
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Class of 2021 Top Available Players: Wings / Forwards Part 2 By Michael Wholey 2/12/21 9:00 AM EST The 2020-21 High School season has been interesting to say the least. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the country in a number…
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Continue ReadingClass of 2021 Top Available Players: Wings / Forwards Part 2
By Michael Wholey 2/12/21 9:00 AM EST
The 2020-21 High School season has been interesting to say the least. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the country in a number of ways and unfortunately for the class of 2021 has deeply impacted the typical recruiting process and scholarship opportunities available for the current Senior class. For the next few weeks we will take a look at some of the states top available players.
# 41 Jayla Murray Jayla Murray 6'1" | SF Winter Haven | 2021 State FL (Winter Haven / FGB) 6’1 Wing
Murray along with her teammate Jasmine Peaks Jasmine Peaks 5'6" | CG Winter Haven HS | 2021 State FL transferred from Tampa Bay Tech to Winter Haven HS to suit up for the Lady Blue Devils this season and are our two highest ranked uncommitted players. Murray has been solid all season reaching double digits in 7 of 13 games this season including an 18-point game in January vs Lake Wales on 8/12 from the field as well as two double-doubles vs Clearwater (13 points 11 rebounds) and Eustis (13 points 13 rebounds). Winter Haven has had a roller coaster season, due to COVID and county guidelines they did not play a game for the entire month of December, but they stand at 13-1 and are ranked # 30 nationally by MaxPreps and Murray has been a big part of that! She is averaging 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds for the season and is a hard stop in the post. She gets the ball off the rim as a defensive rebounder and starts the offensive break herself with the dribble in transition. She attacks out of ball screen situations and is a very good shooter who is plays on both ends of the floor and is also a great defender!
# 51 Aaliyah Williams Aaliyah Williams 5'10" | SG Dunbar | 2021 State FL (Dunbar / South Beach Elite) 5’10 Wing
Williams is a gig guard who can score it inside and out. She is Dunbar’s leading scorer averaging 13.7 points per game and will likely be the area player of the year. She can guard all five positions and utilizes her exceptional length and wingspan to cover ground and get in passing lanes. She has good range and a very high basketball IQ. Her combination of length, athleticism and skill set allow her to play multiple positions and is perfect fit in the current position less style of play that most college teams are currently playing. She rebounds the ball exceptionally well from the wing position as she plays hard and pursues the ball. She has had four double digit rebounding games and is averaging 6.9 rebounds per game.
# 73 Isabella Reynolds Isabella Reynolds 5'10" | SF Archbishop McCarthy | 2021 State FL (Archbishop McCarthy HS / Miami Suns) 5’10 Wing
Reynolds is one of several players in the 2021 class that transferred for her Senior year to potentially put her in a better situation leaving Coral Springs to attend Archbishop McCarthy. Reynolds has stepped right into and assumed the role of the teams go to player and leading scorer and is a big reason for the Mavericks turn around. She is averaging 15.3 point per game and 6.1 rebounds per game. The 5’10 wing has impressively scored in double digits in all 21 games this season and is getting to the free throw line close to 4 times per game. Her height allows her to shoot over her defenders and finish at the rim above those trying to challenge her. She is skilled offensive player who would be a solid low D-1 or D-2 player of a scholarship opportunity opens up.
# 75 Nigeria Harkless Nigeria Harkless 6'1" | PF Ribault HS | 2021 State FL (Ribault / Essence) 6’1 Forward
Typically, late in the recruiting cycle, most college coaches are asking around for bigs. Harkless is our highest ranked forward that has not made a college decision. The 6’1 Forward has a solid inside/out offensive game with decent footwork and 15-feet range. She can play from the high post and short corner as well as post up on the low block. Her size and length allow her to be an impactful shot blocker and rebounder and she plays hard on both ends of the floor. I expect to see Harkless on a college roster next season.
# 78 Collen Shannahan (Timber Creek / DME Travel) 6’1 Forward
She’s an intelligent, skilled 6’1 forward with good footwork and long arms. She has good hands and finishes well over either shoulder. Shannahan has a nice touch out to 12 feet and is a solid low post defender. She did a very good job during the travel season going up against Amiya Evans Amiya Evans 6'2" | PF DME Academy | 2022 State FL (Miami Suns) challenging her in the paint and now allowing her to get consistent low post position or easy shots. She is a consistent offensive rebounder who is persistent going to the glass. She needs to work on her speed and conditioning as well as be a more versatile defender. She is potentially a low D1 or D2 scholarship player if a college coach is looking for a 6’0+ post and thinks she fits their offensive and defensive system.
# 96 Lakada Bryant Lakada Bryant 6'1" | PF West Orange | 2021 State FL (West Orange / Team Knight) 6’1 Forward
Bryant is having a solid Senior season for West Orange serving as the team captain averaging 5.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. She rebounds the ball extremely well having reached double digit rebounds in 6 games including 2 double doubles against Dr. Phillips in December (15 points and 11 rebounds) and vs Winter Haven in November (14 points and 10 rebounds). She is a high IQ player who has good court vision and passing skills from the post position and always willing to make the right play. She plays hard and unselfish on both ends of the floor.
Michael Wholey is the Senior Scout of Prep Girls Hoops Florida. You can reach him at WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @WholeyPrepHoops.