Grassroots Introduction: Always 100 Elite (Florida)

Now that we are moving into the 2022 grassroots season, I wanted to take the time and introduce several of the Florida programs over the next month or so. I’ll have articles specifically for teams in Florida as we highlight them. Below is a look at the Always 100 Elite program that has made it’s way to Gulf Coast/Central Florida. They have been around since 2012 and are an Adidas circuit team based out of Fort Wayne IN, but Gil Farley has brought his talents to Sarasota as an independent club. Coach Gil Farley will bring down the mindset that Vernard Hollins started in Northern Indiana. The website reads, "Always 100 basketball is designed to challenge and achieve athletic excellence which in turn fosters self confidence, leadership, and personal growth. The Always 100 motto is to give 100% at all times and the focus is to help kids remain active and productive — keeping them focused on positivity, not negativity." They currently have over 35 total teams between IN and their new location in Florida. The players of Always 100 Florida will be in good hands with Coach Farley as he was an NAIA All-American at Indiana Tech who has also helped numerous kids, including his own, make it to the next level. He really cherishes the lifelong relationships he’s made in his basketball life all over the US. It was 2006 when he got involved in youth basketball as his oldest daughter showed an ability and passion for the game. Coach is excited to bring the infrastructure, brand, and connections of Always 100 to Florida to promote girls basketball and opportunities for girls in the Sunshine State. He said, "The focus of Always 100 Elite 2025 is on player skill development, competitiveness, and sportsmanship on the court, while promoting leadership skills and social responsibility off the court. Always 100 Elite 2025 team will compete at the highest levels regionally and nationally. The long-term focus is on providing maximum exposure to college coaches and providing opportunities for our players through college basketball scholarships." The 2025 Elite team will be led by Gil with David Collazo and Gianna Vastola as his Assistant Coaches. Here is a look at that roster: 15U: [player_tooltip player_id="346856" first="Sy’monique" last="Simon"] | 5’8 G | 2025 Notes: Versatile, High Motor, Clutch, Finisher, High Ceiling [player_tooltip player_id="275339" first="Maya" last="Collins"] | 5’10 PG | 2025 Notes: Floor General, Facilitator, Scores at All Three Levels, Efficient Passer [player_tooltip player_id="295788" first="Shay" last="Farley"] | 5’11 F | 2025 Notes: Long, Athletic, Strong Frame, Makes Team Better, Scorer, Attacks and Finishes [player_tooltip player_id="244165" first="Ailani" last="Collazo"] | 5’7 G | 2025 Notes: High Motor, Shooter, Sees Floor, Brings Energy, Solid Defender, High IQ [player_tooltip player_id="248701" first="Ava" last="Sims"] | 5’8 G | 2025 Notes: Tenacious Defender, Effective Passer, Ball Hawk, Mid-Range Game Sofiah Miller | 6’1 F | 2025 Notes: Strong Frame, Excellent Footwork, Controls Glass, High Motor [player_tooltip player_id="248450" first="Arianna" last="Viera"] | 5’6 G | 2025 Notes: Defensive Intensity, High IQ, Creative Passer, Sees Floor [player_tooltip player_id="248452" first="Erialys" last="Lopez"] | 5’9 F | 2025 Notes: All-Around Player, Strong, Rebounds with Intensity, Makes Teammates Better <img class=" wp-image-404272 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/15u-300x218.jpg" alt="" width="426" height="310" />   The top 17U and 14U teams will be coached by David Gaulman with Claudia Sbaschnik as the Assistant Coach. Coach Gaulman played at Southeastern University and some in Europe, too. His most memorable moments were when he was able to play in London and Ireland. Coach G got into the youth scene a few years back when he felt girls basketball needed more passionate coaches, and he already loved teaching the game. Last year, his Lady Elite 941 team won the US Amateur State Championship behind [player_tooltip player_id="91558" first="Kailyn" last="Gilbert"] (Arizona Commit) and O’Mariah Gordon (FSU). His goal is to become the best girls skill development coach in the state by preparing his players for the next level with those fundamentals and mastering the basics. Coach G is all about building relationships with his team to show that it's much bigger than basketball. Coach Claudia plays a massive part as she implements creative ideas to help the girls grow mentally. Here are some players to watch on those teams: 17U: [player_tooltip player_id="91658" first="Olivia" last="Davis"] | 5’7 G | 2023 Notes: Elite Shooter, Scores from Anywhere, High Level Competitor [player_tooltip player_id="166169" first="Liv" last="Fuller"] | 5’10 F | 2023 Notes: Utility Player, Stat Sheet Stuffer, Relentless on Both Ends, Georgia Southern Commit [player_tooltip player_id="221699" first="Kennedy" last="McClain"] | 5’11 G/F | 2024 Notes: Shooter, Play Maker, Stretches Floor [player_tooltip player_id="91637" first="Jordyn" last="Byrd"] | 6'3 F | 2023 Notes: Shot Blocker, Controls Boards, Texas Volleyball Commit [player_tooltip player_id="404168" first="Samaire" last="Slusarek"] | 5’11 F | 2023 Notes: Runs Floor, Length/Height, High Motor, Underrated Shooter [player_tooltip player_id="248309" first="Madison" last="Macdonald"] | 6’0 F | 2024 Notes: Length/Height, Defender, High Motor MaKayla Green | 5’6 G | 2023 Notes: Shooter, Tough, Crashes Offensive Glass Ava Rogers | 5’4 G | 2025 Notes: Outside Shooter, Defender, Tough   <img class=" wp-image-404274 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/17u-300x140.jpg" alt="" width="441" height="206" />   14U: [player_tooltip player_id="248697" first="Paisley" last="Binswanger"] | 5’5 CG | 2026 Notes: Leader, Good Handles, Finishes with Both Hands, Versatile, Shooter Madi Mignery | 5’6 SF | 2027 Notes: Good Footwork, Mid-Range Game, Competitor Emma Hart | 5’1 PG | 2026 Notes: Plays Hard on Both Ends, Shooter, Mid-Range Game Lai Washington | 5'5 G/F | 2026 Notes: Long, Athletic, Fantastic Defender Talia Busser | 5'4 G | 2026 Notes: High Motor, Great On-Ball Defender, Outside Shooter Lilli Morris | 5'9 F | 2026 Notes: Varsity Experience, Strong, Leader, Board Getter Maddie Kopf | 5'8 G | 2026 Notes: Quick, Long Wing Span, Runs the Floor, Shooter <img class=" wp-image-404275 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/14u-300x242.jpg" alt="" width="420" height="339" />   Always 100 Elite will look to make a splash in the Florida scene this summer. As they say, "Winners don't wait for chances, they take them."