Battle in the Big Friendly: The Best I’ve Seen So Far
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Friday evening and Saturday were loaded with outstanding basketball in Oklahoma City. The Prep Girls Hoops Circuit always has tons of talent, but this weekend seems exceptional so far. There have been high-level games in every gym that I have…
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Continue ReadingFriday evening and Saturday were loaded with outstanding basketball in Oklahoma City. The Prep Girls Hoops Circuit always has tons of talent, but this weekend seems exceptional so far. There have been high-level games in every gym that I have been to and I can’t wait to tell you about some of the awesome players that I have had the privilege to see ply their trade on the hardwood. With no further ado, here are the best that I have seen so far and why it is they stood out to me. Stay tuned later this week for complete coverage of the whole event from several of PGH’s top scouts who were in attendance!
Paige Williams | 5-6 G | Krush Queens / Kipp MS (OK) | 2026 | @ihoop_paige
Paige is a flat-out baller. Not only that, but she knows how to create space and when given that space by the defender, she drains the shot. A lot of players still continue to try to drive to the basket when their defender begins to give, but Paige has that sixth sense to know that she has the space and the confidence to know that she can make the shot. If you give it to her, she will take it. Typically, that is a skill that comes with age and experience, but she is a 2026. So, I don’t know where she goes from here. I guess the sky is truly the limit for this young star!
Kayden Prince | 5-7 G/F | Oklahoma Lady Fusion / Caddo (OK) | 2027 | @kaydenprince_10
Prince is the youngest on her team and that is not an issue at all. This kid can go. She has a lot of moves to get to the rim and finishes strong with either hand. She showed a very good euro step and the ability to affect every play with her size and athleticism. Her willingness to defend is an asset for Fusion and her left-handed stroke from long and midrange was just pretty. Prince is going to be a fun one to watch as she grows and learns all of the abilities she has within her 5’7″ (and growing) frame. Kayden is going to be a good one to keep an eye on for years to come!
Kylie Scott Kylie Scott 6'3" | PF Carl Junction | 2024 State MO | 6-1 F | Missouri Legacy / Carl Junction (MO) | 2024 | Hudl
Watching Kylie play will make you wish that the scorekeeper kept track of rebounds. I know that I did. Eventually, at the start of the second half, I began to track them and she was definitely in double-digits. It isn’t just her size either. A lot of high school players begin to depend on their size. Kylie does a great job of putting a body on someone, boxing out, then high pointing the ball and securing it. On the offensive side of things, she plays like a one or two who grew into the size of a four or five. She can step out and shoot as well as hit the mid-range jumper. I know that her sister is a D-I athlete and I would not be at all surprised to see Kylie follow in her footsteps. She is already showing the ability at a very young age.
Hailey Kuhlman Hailey Kuhlman 5'9" | PF Luther | 2024 State OK | 5-10 F | Oklahoma Aces / Luther (OK) | 2024 | @Hailey_k30
Hailey is a “small school big” in the best possible way. She defends all five positions with ease and has better mobility than most bigs. She is strong defensively and will not be pushed around. She is also very smart on both ends and showed the ability to not only read the defense but make great passes when called upon. She is the prototypical “stretch four” who can step out and hit shots as needed while also battling anyone on the block. Kuhlman was very fun to watch and I look forward to not only seeing more Aces games but, seeing how she works with her outstanding Luther squad when the high school season comes back around again.
Shamar Bert Shamar Bert 5'7" | SG Putnam City West | 2024 State OK | 5-7 G | BTR 2023 / PC West (OK) | 2024 | @shamarb20
Perhaps the best game I saw all day was the one between Shamar’s BTR squad and the defending champions Team Griffin Elite. It was a back and forth affair that honestly would not have been nearly as close as it was had Shamar not absolutely lit it up from long range. She had four three-pointers in the first half and in the second she absolutely electrified her team with her defensive effort. Though she may be quiet, she definitely lets her play do the talking. Bert is highly ranked and for good reason. She is going to be a Division-I player and is another star from the 2024 class in the state of Oklahoma.
Lila Ashida Lila Ashida 5'8" | SG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM | 5-9 PG | New Mexico Select / Las Cruces (NM) | 2023 | @Lila827
It probably wasn’t very fun for defenders but, it was definitely fun for those observing to see Lila put her shoulder down and drive into the back-peddling opponent to get space, stop and pop a beautiful mid-range jumper. Later, she would casually stroll down the court, not being sped up by defensive pressure, often splitting the double team with ease, and let a three-pointer fly – nothing but net. Ashida is just a baller. That’s all there is to it. She picks up her opposing point guard 3/4th’s of the way down the floor with relentless pressure and does not let up. Clearly, this kid loves the game and plays it the right way. She is big and strong and I know coaches are looking for exactly that in a college point guard. Well, here she is.