CORONA, Calif.—At one time August was that month when those surrounding girls grassroots basketball sat back and caught their breath after a hectic April through July calendar of events. Not so much anymore. It’s a new day and the game is played at a higher level with a wider focus expanding towards identifying and evaluating the “next” generation much earlier and more often. Events like Blue Star 30 and the Elite Girls Basketball Middle School All-American Game have been two of the bigger catalysts and now August has become the annual spotlight month for the highly regarded Rites of Passage in the DMV and the Elite 100 out on the West Coast.
Blue Star Media was on recently on hand for the 8thAnnual ROP ( https://www.bluestarmedia.org/8th-annual-rites-of-passage-showcase/) and made our way back to Cali once more this past weekend for the 6thAnnual Elite 100. Nicc Jackson has a proven knack for assembling a “depth” of talent in his events that forces evaluators to be ready to add new names to their data base to go hand in hand with much needed additional assessments of established prospects to see just where they’ve taken their game over the course of the recent club season.
This time around 133 players took the floor over two days at Santiago High School in Corona. Among that group, 76 percent of those athletes represented the class of 2021 or younger. While California led the way, multiple states could be found across the rosters and there were even a few athletes who made their way from the East Coast and the state of North Carolina.
Again, with no disrespect to the upperclassman, we take a look at that next generation on the horizon as we wrap up another summer and the sixth Elite Girls Basketball Elite 100.
Tia Barefield – 2023 – 5-4 – Point Guard – Temecula, Calif. – Young and athletic point…Plenty of speed and quickness…Sharp ballskills…Effective crossover is low and tough to defend…Lefty…Quick release…Assertive on ball defender
Reina Bell – 2023 – 5-6 – Guard – Las Vegas, Nev. – Combination of size and skills for age…Can develop and improve options off the dribble…Slashed in traffic…Active with and without the ball…Mixes her attack…Combo but like her catching entry passes more than making them to take advantage of skill set
Ryann Bennett – 2024 – 5-3 – Point Guard – Long Beach, Calif. – Wiry and quick at the point…Looking to penetrate…Mixes both her speed and direction well…Very young with promise
Taylor Bigby – 2021 – 6-0 – Guard – Las Vegas, Nev. – Continues to advance and improve all aspects of her game…Creating off an explosive first step…Reading in traffic more efficiently…Gets to the rim going both directions…Forcing defenders to close out with a cushion…Makes elite plays
Adrienne Blackwell – 2023 – 5-4 – Guard – San Ramone, Calif. – Young guard with plenty of options…Speed and quickness to spare…Change of speed and change of direction are exceptional…Can create both shots and passes…Strong one on one game…Active and quick on ball defender
Sakura Bradley – 2022 – 5-7 – Guard – Henderson, Nev. – Combo…Mixes up her attack…Good ball control on passing…Good first step off her moves…Lots of tools…Consistency and refinement are just around the corner
Amira Brown – 2021 – 5-8 – Wing – Berkeley, Calif. – Athletic guard with some size…Long and quick first step…Ability is there to get into the lane…Finished with contact at times…Lots of effort is there
Analilla Cabuena – 2021 – 6-0 – Forward – Stockton, Calif. – More impact on each and every play…Lean and active…Makes herself an option with and without the ball…Somewhat upright at times…Turns the corner well off screens…Lean but handled contact from defenders…Plays with awareness
Majesty Cade – 2023 – 5-5 – Guard – Riverside, Calif. – Impressive individual skills…Can create off the dribble…Mixes speed and direction with ballskills…Quick initial move…Gets out on the break…Lots of tools…Needs to become more active without the ball
Jaila Childress – 2023 – 5-8 – Guard – Henderson, Nev. – Athletic and wiry…Solid ballhandling…Moves well without the ball…Decent form and release…Touch will come with age and repetitions…Had some moments on ball defensively
Jada Davis – 2021 – 6-3 – Post – San Diego, Calif. – Good length…Athletic and lean…Fluid in both the halfcourt and out in transition…Has her mind made up on the catch at times making her mechanical on occasion…Lots of promise in her game and future
Marisa Davis – 2021 – 6-1 – Wing / Forward – Surprise, Ariz. – Versatile…Depth to both physical and basketball skills…Nice size with an efficient perimeter attack…Can create her own looks…Gets deep in the paint…Loves to spin off opponents…Length of stride separates her from both defensive size and quickness…Initiates and handles physical play…Consistency will be key in her perimeter shooting… Mobility and length on defense set her apart
Addison Deal – 2024 – 5-8 – Guard – Landera Ranch, Calif. – Young guard with some length for age…Depth is there in ballhandling and passing…Improves options off the dribble…Hesitation and crossover are in place…Quicker release will have to evolve on the perimeter looks
Taylor Donaldson – 2020 – 5-7 – Guard – Thousand Oaks, Calif. – Lefty…Plenty of speed with the ball in her hands…Pull up is a strong threat…Sees the floor in transition…Active defender with both hands and feet…Strong moments
Kealoha Faamausili-Beirne – 2023 – 5-10 – Post – Long Beach, Calif. – Solid and strong…Good size for age…Plays with effort and intensity…Surprising ballhandling and passing…Put a body on match ups defensively…Good feet and reads on the defensive end of the floor
Jordyn Griggs – 2023 – 6-0 – Wing – Moreno Valley, Calif. – Versatile with some length…Active…Sees the floor…Wide crossover move…Defends with effort
Ashley Hawkins – 2021 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Long Beach, Calif. – Physically solid build…Textbook skills…Deceiving individual moves…Handles contact well on penetration…Forces defenders to play her honest
Rayah Marshall – 2021 – 6-3 – Forward – Lynwood, Calif. – Added and exclamation mark to a strong summer…Length with a versatile mix between interior and interior attack…Can create her own from the trail spot or the high post…Elevates on the jumper…Often settles for pull up rather than taking it all the way…In a class by herself when she is at the rim…Fluid with and without the ball…Length of stride challenges defenders
Madison Mims – 2023 – 5-2 – Point Guard – Raleigh, N.C. – Small and quick with the ball in her hands…Low center of gravity…Sharp change of direction…Can spot up to keep defenders honest…Agile feet defensively
Aliyahna Morris – 2025 – 5-2 – Point Guard – Moreno Valley, Calif. – Dynamic young point guard…Small due to age but impressive quickness and strength…Creates one on one…Change of speed and direction are already there…Attacking mentality
Simone Morris – 2021 – 5-10 – Guard – Carson, Calif. – Athletic guard…Makes plays at full speed…Challenge for defenders…Lefty…Fluid and quick with the ball in her hands…Gets into traffic with ease…Pull up has elevation…Quick release is there deeper on the perimeter…Lateral speed on quickness is elite…Makes plays again and again
Mya Pierfac – 2021 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Lake Elsinore, Calif. – Attacking and strong…Accelerates on the catch…Relentless mentality…Looking to create in transition and halfcourt…Crossover is quick and low…Weak hand could use a little attention…Someone you want to play with
Christy Reynoso – 2024 – 5-4 – Point Guard – Los Angeles, Calif. – Point guard who pushes the pace…Ballhandling is refined for age…Efficient in traffic…Sees the floor on the break…Quick release on her jumper…Mixes her attack
Kennedy Smith – 2024 – 5-10 – Forward – Chino, Calif. – Impressive young forward…Good size and strength for age…No reservations about physical play…Can work low or from the high post…Some ballhandling is there…Hesitation move works…Quick for interior player…Good ball control…Perimeter shot is a bit flat…Got on the offensive boards…Nothing but upside
Cypree Stevens – 2021 – 5-4 – Point Guard – Las Vegas, Nev. – Point with speed, quickness and strength…First step creates both shots and passes…Can pull up on a dime…Accelerates off her moves to leave defenders scrambling…Makes plays
JuJu Watkins – 2023 – 5-11 – Guard / Wing – Los Angeles, Calif. – Continues to define the gap between her and peers…Active and attacking…Makes plays even when not hitting…Gets deep in the paint without trouble…Can finish with contact or elevate above rotating bigs…Effort is defining on both ends…Making more of an impact rebounding
Chloe Williams – 2022 – 6-2 – Forward – Los Angeles, Calif. – Nice length and athleticism for age…Deceiving ball skills…Made some efficient passes from trail and high post…Handled contact on the catch down low…Active for size and age…Anticipated well defensively
Kristin Williams – 2021 – 5-7 – Point Guard – El Cajon, Calif. – Versatile guard with depth to skills and IQ…Reads on the catch…Strong ability to improve options for herself and teammates…Eyes are up on the drive…Shot is slightly flat but form is there…Intense and hard-nosed element in her game…Player
