GARDEN GROVE, Calif.– We had a chance to take in the action at the Swoosh Fall Classic and get a glimpse into the future of West Coast girls basketball. From that quick peek it’s safe to say the future is bright. The following young prospects caught and kept our attention.
It’s always enjoyable to watch young prospects display a tremendous amount of skill at an early age and Jump Athletic’s 2019 5 foot 9 forward Makayla Edwards, a native of Vallejo, California, did just that. Edwards, whose father is 6-5 and mother is 5-10, should have a serious growth spurt coming. Edwards showed the ability to attack off the bounce as well as post up defenders on the low block. Her face up game compliments her low post moves. Edwards has a nice stroke that extends out beyond the three point arc. She rebounds well and is a solid defender that isn’t afraid to mix it up versus taller opponents. Edwards reminds me of a more athletic version of former Georgia Bulldog and ex-WNBA player Tasha Humphrey. With continued development Edwards’s game has major DI written all over it.
Every college program in the nation is always on the lookout out for a quality big and 6-2 Jasmine Peete, who hails from Riverside, California and plays for Cal Sparks, has the chance to be just what they are looking for. Peete, a 2018 prospect, has a college body, rebounds the ball at highest point and finishes well in the paint. She’ll need to further develop her midrange shot and low post face up game but the possibilities are very evident. Peete has the potential to be a force at both ends. Tremendous upside.
It’s always good to watch promising perimeter play and 2019 GBL Rebels point guard Charisma Osborne of Moreno Valley, California caught my attention. The 5-6 guard is very athletic and does a great job attacking and creating off the bounce. Osborne finishes at the rim but also has a nice midrange jumper as well as a sweet three point stroke. There is a great response to adversity and she led a late comeback making play after play. She does an excellent job involving her teammates and is a solid on ball defender. Osborne is potentially a BCS prospect. Keep eyes on.
Leilani McIntosh, from Phoenix, Arizona, had her entire repertoire on display. This 5-6 speedy 2019 point guard from Jump Athletics used a killer crossover coupled with her explosive first step to attack the paint looking to score or dish to slashing teammates. McIntosh used that speed and quickness to get out and finish off the break weaving in and out of traffic while handling the rock equally well with both hands. She also showed that she can consistently stroke the midrange jumper as well as be a threat from beyond the arc. McIntosh demonstrated the ability to translate her speed and athleticism into dividends on the defensive end as well by forcing turnovers and cashing in on the ensuing possession. She’s definitely a point guard on the rise and with continued development has a chance to be special.
Kaiyah Corona of Long Beach, California is a feisty and crafty player that does all the intangibles that coaches love. The 5-11 Cal Sparks wing attacked the rim and either produced in the paint or dropped dimes to her teammates. The 2019 Corona does a good job running the floor and finished well off the break. She also displayed a nice mid-range touch. Defensively, Corona did a excellent job jumping into the passing lanes on the perimeter or in the low post. Simply put, she finds a way to make plays to help her team win. Corona is an all-around player and will make the program that lands her very happy.
If you’re looking for an athletic all-around player that plays the game the way it is supposed to be played, then 5-9 Malia Bambrick is your prospect. The 2018 grad from Santa Clarita, California has a solid body with long arms that take up space in the lane. Bambrick plays a very aggressive game at both ends of the court. She has a nice low-post game and finishes well in the paint and gets to the line where she is a good free-throw shooter. The Swish N Swag standout also showed that she has a smooth face-up game as well being a good passer that is unselfish almost to a fault. She used those long arms and good leaping ability to dominate the boards and push the ball up the floor. Defensively, Bambrick defended the low post and perimeter well. Playing with a fearless, reckless abandon, she contested several shots and scrapped for loose balls. Bambrick has a tremendous upside and with continued development has the chance to be a BCS caliber prospect.
Every coach worldwide loves a player that competes on every play, is fundamentally sound, defends well and loves to attack at both ends. Also a native of Santa Clarita, Chyanne Pagakalinawan brings all of these things to the table and more for her Swish N Swag ball club. Pagakalinawan, showed the ability to knock down the midrange jumper and was a sniper from behind the arc. At 5-5 she demonstrated that the capacity to be a scoring point guard that can attack the paint and finish in traffic. She handles the ball well with either hand and is a very good passer possessing nice speed and quickness. The 2018 prospect showed that she is a solid on ball defender with sound principals and concepts. Pagakalinawan has a sweet crossover and hesitation dribble move that’s not meant to be flashy but gets the job done none the less. Pagakalinawan has a small frame with big time game.
