CORONA, Calif.—In an era of scholastic and club basketball where there seems to be an overriding emphasis on the sheer volume of games played, it’s refreshing to see that there are still fundamental development opportunities and, more so, players willing to get in the gym and refine their skill sets. This past weekend the second of four scheduled Prentice Beverly Skills Academies took place in southern California on the campus of Corona High School. Over 100 athletes gave up two days of their long weekend to sharpen up their game and continue their preparation for the upcoming season.
Skill instruction and situation play were the focus on day one while day two saw the opportunity to competitively apply and advance the lessons learned. While drills and skills are notoriously hard to utilize as evaluation tools, we saw enough action and effort to take note of some promising standouts. Here are a few quickhitters showcasing some of the players who “labored” on Labor Day Weekend. As always, please keep in mind that our observations are centered on promise and potential and never intended as an all-inclusive list of the “best” performances or talent on hand.
Sharonda Edwards (Menifee, California – 2017) – Athletic wing with good length…Lots of speed and quickness and the willingness to use it…Smooth and fluid with and without the ball…Active on both ends of the floor…Elevates…Can create off the dribble…Good in traffic…Shot selection needs serious attention…Digs in and defends…Wiry build but strength should come…Just scratching the surface
Khylee Pepe (Long Beach, California – 2021) – Impressive wing / forward…Advanced skills and understanding of the game for her age…Creates her own looks off the dribble from the wing and high post…Already has a physical element to her game…Lots of effort defensively and on the glass…Plays with a genuine enthusiasm…Watch very closely
Madison Washington (Las Vegas, Nevada – 2016) – Plenty of size and strength…Moves well both in transition and the halfcourt…Active in looking to free herself up…Can finish around the rim but has a surprisingly nice mid rage game…Ability is there to create off the drive…Gets off the floor…Has the tools to be a presence on the boards…Could be the elusive “true #4”…Not quite there yet but on the edge of making an impact
Sydnei Caldwell (Chandler, Arizona – 2019) – Young and assertive…Pushes the ball at opportunity…Ballhandling allows her to create both shots and passes …Pull up and jumper are both in place and becoming consistent…Solid build for age and not afraid of contact…Fast track prospect
Caitlin Bickle (Phoenix, Arizona – 2018) – Lots of tools and potential at the forward spot…Plays with plenty of well thought effort…Has been coached effectively at some point along the way…Makes good choices…Comfortable around the rim or from the trail spot…Understands what she’s looking for…Perimeter shot is rough but still a threat at times…Can put it on the floor to get to the rim or improve a pass…Plenty of time to evolve
Other Eye Catchers
Ariana Abdulmassih (San Francisco, California – 2017) – Forward who loves the perimeter…Has the size (6-2) and frame but doesn’t take advantage…Decent stroke and range but needs consistency…Nice runner off the drive…Perimeter orientation takes away from her rebounding effort…Lots of tools are there but focus isn’t letting her exploit them…Up to her
Kyra Brady (Gardena, California – 2017) – Small but assertive point guard…Attacks with strong ballhandling…Sets up her passes well…Step back is there…Could be a better defender off the ball
Jazmin Carrasco (Ventura, California – 2018) – Young point guard with strong court concepts…Small at this point but strong contributor with sharp, well-read passing…Active defender…Anticipates on the weakside of the floor
Taylor Chavez (Surprise, Arizona – 2018) – Talented and well-schooled guard…Sees the floor and creates both shots and passes…Form is off her shoulder a bit but has range and touch…Good choices…Kind of player you want to play with…Active without the ball
Esther Franks (Lakewood, California – 2016) – Strong guard with some size…Attacks and gets to the rim…Handles on ball pressure well…Change of speed is effective…Shot appears to be off her shoulder to a degree
Alex Friends (Bellevue, Washington – 2019) – Some size to go with decent ballhandling…Uses her change of speed well…Needs to use both hands more efficiently…Had moments
Carolyn Gill (Oakland, California – 2017) – Strong and athletic for her age…Wing / guard at this point…Ballhandling is evolving…Plays with intensity and effort…Can spot up on the perimeter…Watch
Destiny Greenwood (Suisun, California – 2016) – Wiry athlete…Active and attacking…Slashes to the rim…Tends to stand without the ball…Made her share of plays…Has defensive tools
Melanie Isbell (Las Vegas, Nevada – 2019) – Young but small point guard…Attacking…Strong ball skills…Smart…Reads the floor…Feisty defender
Leilani McIntosh (Phoenix, Arizona – 2019) – Lots of speed and quickness…Strong ballhandler…Accelerates and gets to the rim…Good on the ball defensively…Could do more on the weakside
Lily Perkins (West Covina, California – 2017) – Physically strong guard…Some ballhandling is in place…Aggressive on both ends…Defends
Jordyn Shane (Victorville, California – 2015) – Underexposed senior athletic guard…Has lots of tools…Explosive first step…Solid handles…Passing skills are there…Makes some dramatic plays…Anticipates on defense…Could be just a year or two away
Raya Smith (Moreno, California – 2020) – Promising young point…Athletic and quick…Lots of speed and acceleration with the ball…Sees the floor…Puts zip on some sharp passing…Watch closely
Kennedi Villa (San Leandro, California – 2017) – Guard with length in her arms and legs…Very active on both ends of the floor…Fluid in all her movement…Strong defender particularly on the ball…Could really develop
Kailyn Watkins (Inglewood, California – 2020) – Fluid, athletic guard…Ability to slash in traffic is there…Good vision and passing…Young with tools
