Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational – Class of 2024 Stand Outs
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Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational – Class of 2024 Stand Outs By Michael Wholey 1/5/21 9:00 AM EST The Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational established in 2016 presented by Florida’s Sports Coast hosted one of the largest high school events in Florida…
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Continue ReadingTampa Bay Christmas Invitational – Class of 2024 Stand Outs
By Michael Wholey 1/5/21 9:00 AM EST
The Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational established in 2016 presented by Florida’s Sports Coast hosted one of the largest high school events in Florida last week in Wesley Chapel at the Wiregrass Sports Complex. The event hosted over 100 Varsity Girls and Boys teams from December 29-January 1 from all across the country including a number of the Florida’s top teams. We take a look at some of the class of 2024s top performers.
Beckham Hockley Beckham Hockley 5'7" | PG Sickles | 2024 State FL (Clearwater HS) – 5’8 Guard
Hockley is a solid, consistent, combo guard who is a steady presence on the court for Clearwater. She can handle the ball vs pressure, initiate offense in the half court setting, and create her own shot off the dribble. You cannot leave her open from 3 as she can get hot quickly as she did in a triple OT loss to Western HS in day 1 of the Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational where she knocked down 6 3-pointers including 2 in a row back-to-back to take Clearwater from down 6 to tied and send the game into double OT. Ultimately playing the entire game caught up with her in this triple OT thriller as she flat out ran out of gas late in the game and Clearwater fell 88-84 to Western in one of the best games of day one.
Ella Stakem Ella Stakem 5'7" | SG Bolles HS | 2024 State FL (Bolles HS) – 5’7 Guard
Staken is a tough, gritty guard who was a tenacious defender and an aggressive penetrator on the offensive end. Stakem shot a high percentage from the field, knocking it down from 15 feet and from 3.
Leah Bullard Leah Bullard 6'1" | PF Dr Phillips | 2024 State FL (Carrollwood Day School) – 6’1 Forward
Barnes has an excellent build, with a great combination of strength and size. She mainly plays forward but can also play on the wing. Her strength allows her to finish around the rim vs contact and be an aggressive on ball defender, keeping players attacking her off the dribble out of the paint.
LeighAnn Hanley LeighAnn Hanley 6'1" | PF Carrollwood Day | 2024 State FL (Carrollwood Day School) – 6’2 Forward/Center
There are not many high school squads that can have not one but two players with the size and strength of Leah Bullard Leah Bullard 6'1" | PF Dr Phillips | 2024 State FL and LeighAnn Hanley LeighAnn Hanley 6'1" | PF Carrollwood Day | 2024 State FL . Where Barnes can play the wing and forward spot, Hanley is more of a forward/center. Hanley is a legit 6’2 with strong build, broad shoulders, and good mass. She is an impact rebounder and good finisher in the paint.
Bri Rivera (Lake Highland Prep) – 5’7 Guard
I am ready to declare it – Bri Rivera is the # 1 shooter in the state of Florida, regardless of class! She has a quick release, excellent form, is consistently ready to let it fly and shoots a super high percentage. You flat out, cannot leave her open or else she will make you pay! Rivera is good for at least four made 3-pointers every time I see her play!
Camila Depool (Lake Highland Prep) – 5’7 Point Guard
Depool is a transfer to LHP and this is my first time seeing her with the Highlanders. She is a big guard who played spot minutes and looked a bit winded. You can see her skillset is there and she was an active contributor for a loaded squad and her role will likely increase as the season progresses. We will see Depool several more times this year and will look to evaluate her further in future events.
Michael Wholey is the lead scout for Florida Prep Girls Hoop Florida and a former division one Assistant Coach at American University, University of Memphis, and Georgia Tech. Wholey and the rest of the Prep Girls Hoop staff, seek to cover the entire state of player, keeping subscribers up to date with player evaluations, recruiting info, and statewide news. Our audience often supplies us with some of our best information. If you have any information on players, teams, or statewide news in the state of Florida, emailing Michael Wholey at WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com or DM him through Twitter or Instagram @WholeyPrepHoops.