Grassroots Introduction: Always 100 Elite (Florida)
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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…
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Continue ReadingNow 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:
Sy’monique Simon Sy’monique Simon 5'6" | SG Cardinal Mooney | 2025 State FL | 5’8 G | 2025
Notes: Versatile, High Motor, Clutch, Finisher, High Ceiling
Maya Collins Maya Collins 5'9" | PG Lemon Bay | 2025 State FL | 5’10 PG | 2025
Notes: Floor General, Facilitator, Scores at All Three Levels, Efficient Passer
Shay Farley Shay Farley 5'11" | SF IMG Academy | 2025 State FL | 5’11 F | 2025
Notes: Long, Athletic, Strong Frame, Makes Team Better, Scorer, Attacks and Finishes
Ailani Collazo Ailani Collazo 5'7" | SG Apex Friendship | 2025 NC | 5’7 G | 2025
Notes: High Motor, Shooter, Sees Floor, Brings Energy, Solid Defender, High IQ
Ava Sims Ava Sims 5'8" | CG Sarasota | 2025 State FL | 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
Arianna Viera Arianna Viera 5'5" | PG St Cloud | 2025 State FL | 5’6 G | 2025
Notes: Defensive Intensity, High IQ, Creative Passer, Sees Floor
Erialys Lopez Erialys Lopez 5'9" | SF The Conrad Academy | 2025 State FL | 5’9 F | 2025
Notes: All-Around Player, Strong, Rebounds with Intensity, Makes Teammates Better
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 Kailyn Gilbert Kailyn Gilbert 5'8" | CG IMG Academy | 2022 State FL (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:
Olivia Davis Olivia Davis 5'7" | CG Cardinal Mooney | 2023 State FL | 5’7 G | 2023
Notes: Elite Shooter, Scores from Anywhere, High Level Competitor
Liv Fuller Liv Fuller 5'10" | SF Clearwater | 2023 State FL | 5’10 F | 2023
Notes: Utility Player, Stat Sheet Stuffer, Relentless on Both Ends, Georgia Southern Commit
Kennedy McClain Kennedy McClain 5'11" | SF Sarasota | 2024 State FL | 5’11 G/F | 2024
Notes: Shooter, Play Maker, Stretches Floor
Jordyn Byrd Jordyn Byrd 6'3" | PF Cardinal Mooney | 2023 State #25 Nation FL | 6’3 F | 2023
Notes: Shot Blocker, Controls Boards, Texas Volleyball Commit
Samaire Slusarek Samaire Slusarek 5'11" | SF Riverview Sarasota | 2023 State FL | 5’11 F | 2023
Notes: Runs Floor, Length/Height, High Motor, Underrated Shooter
Madison Macdonald Madison Macdonald CG FL | 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
14U:
Paisley Binswanger Paisley Binswanger 5'7" | CG Sarasota | 2026 State FL | 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
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.”