Omaha Westside Preview: Player Evaluations from Practice

On Wednesday November 20^th in the activity gym at Westside High School, I got an early look at the Omaha Westside Girls basketball team. This is a team that is returning much of its core from the previous 22-5 season in 2018-2019. Here are the five players that stood out from the Westside Warriors’ third practice of the season. <strong>Jasmine McGinnis-Taylor – 6’3 Forward/Center – Illinois State Commit class of 2020</strong> Jasmine McGinnis-Taylor is an athletic true post player that will give teams problems with her size. Offensively, she can bully opponents around the rim as well as step away to knock down mid-range jump shots over the defense. Jasmine has good hands that she uses to coral rebounds and catch lob passes from teammates. McGinnis-Taylor’s court vision for a post player stands out. She makes strong outlet passes out of rebounds and kicks the ball out to open shooters when the defense collapses on her. <strong>Ella Wedergren – 5’10 Guard – Class of 2020</strong> <span style="font-size: 1rem">Ella Wedergren is a skilled and vocal leader that will do a majority of the ball handling for Omaha Westside this season. During warm-ups, Ella lead the group in a team building drill to help everyone learn names and get to know each other. The senior guard also led by example; making high effort plays all practice. During a full-court transition drill where the rebounder gets to stay on the court, Ella out hustled and muscled teammates for rebounds 3 possessions in a row to stay on the floor. With the ball in her hands, Ella can quickly change speed and direction to blow by defenders. Once the defense is on her back, she can create shots for herself or throw pretty lob passes where only her senior running mate, Jasmine McGinnis-Taylor, can catch them.</span> <strong>Abby Hellman - 5'8 Forward - Class of 2020</strong> Abby Hellman is a do-it-all player that will be a key piece to this Westside Warriors team. Though Abby will likely spend much of the season at the forward spot next to McGinnis-Taylor, she looks just as comfortable spotted up on the wing knocking down shots or with the ball in her hands making plays for others. To illustrate her versatility, during one of the days scrimmages she was the primary ball handler for her team while also guarding 6’3” Jasmine McGinnis-Taylor. Hellman has a great feel for court spacing. She can step outside to makes room for McGinnis-Taylor to operate in the post or find space near the rim for dump off passes. <strong>Brooklyn James</strong><strong> - 5'7 Guard - Class of 2020</strong> Brooklyn James is a player that Westside should be very excited to have back on the court after a season lost to injury. James is a great perimeter shooter than can extend her range a couple steps beyond the 3-point line. She finds space by patiently floating back and forth from the wing and corner. When defenses turn their head or help on defense, Brooklyn does a good job of repositioning herself to get open. James also showed off good touch around the rim; twice driving by close outs and finishing with 8-12 foot floaters. <strong>Chainey Thompson – 5’7 Guard – Class of 2022</strong> Chainey Thompson is an active defender with good vision at the guard position. As a sophomore, Chainey has good defensive awareness; tipping passes, rarely getting beat on cuts, and working hard to recovering when she does. Her effort also carries over to the offensive end. Thompson cuts with a purpose and doesn’t stand or clog up the floor. When she takes her time and doesn’t rush, Thompson can be a knockdown shooter. Chainey sees the floor well and if she continues to get stronger she should develop into a great passer. &nbsp;