5 Essence Players in the Class of 2024 That Caught Our Eye
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Five Essence Players in the Class of 2024 That Caught Our Eye By Michael Wholey 5/10/22 10:00 AM EST In April, we have got a chance to see Essence at the Sunshine State Showdown and the Boo Williams Invitational for…
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Continue ReadingFive Essence Players in the Class of 2024 That Caught Our Eye
By Michael Wholey 5/10/22 10:00 AM EST
In April, we have got a chance to see Essence at the Sunshine State Showdown and the Boo Williams Invitational for the first round of the EYBL. Here are five 2024 prospects that stood out for Essence.
Danielle Carnegie Danielle Carnegie 5'9" | PG Grayson | 2024 State GA (Essence TipHayes Purple 17U EYBL) – 5’9 Guard
Carnegie has consistently been Essence TipHayes Purple leading scorer throughout April, serving as the heartbeat to a fiery Essence team. Her quickness and footwork allow her to create scoring opportunities off of off-ball and on-ball action. She is most deadly and causes the most damage from 3, shooting a high percentage and displaying the ability to catch and shot coming off screen action exceptionally well. She is a smart and savvy guard who used shot fakes and pass fakes to freeze defenders and make passes to lead her teammates to easy buckets. Carnegie also proved that she can create her own shots, and in the second half of a tight game against Exodus, she would often take isolation looks and could easily get past defenders with both hands and a quick first step when driving to her right. The rest of her teammates fuel from her energy and intensity and she is not afraid to initiate contact and get to the free throw line.
Mjracle Sheppard Mjracle Sheppard 5'8" | CG Montverde Academy | 2023 State FL (Essence TipHayes Purple 17U EYBL) – 5’10 Guard
On the guard-dominant Essence TipHayes Purple 17U team, Sheppard stood out as a reliant and consistent scorer. She scored in double digits in all three of Essence bracket games at Boo, showcasing her ability to create her own shots in addition to creating opportunities for her teammates. She has a quick and explosive crossover that she uses to change direction, blowing by her defender and get into the paint to take it to the rim or to make a read to find a big on the block and feed back-door cutters. At Boo, Sheppard seemed to play her best when it mattered most, and in a well-contested 64-61 win over Exodus to secure the top seed, Sheppard became the primary ball handler in the second half, making several clutch shots and wise decisions down the stretch.
Trinity Turner Trinity Turner 5'7" | CG Dr. Phillips | 2024 State FL (Essence TipHayes Purple 17U EYBL) – 5’8 Point Guard
Turner is a shifty, young guard that gets past defenders easily and consistently gets into the paint. She is strong, with solid handle, and good change of direction and change of speed moves. She has 3-point range and is a good perimeter rebounder. She uses her strong and solid frame to draw contact and get to the free throw line. Defensively, she has active hands on defense and has good anticipation skills and tries to run through passing lanes to take the ball the other way, creating offense from her defense.
Ka’Zahria Johnson (Essence Silver 16U EYBL) – 6’2 Center
Johnson is long, active, and extremely impactful in the paint. Her overall offensive skill and productivity continues to improve but her ability to block shots, deter shots, rebound the ball, and finish down low on put backs are all excellent attributes for a player of her size and athleticism and make her a coveted prospect by many college coaches.
Briana Rivera Briana Rivera 5'7" | CG Lake Highland Prep | 2024 State FL (Essence TipHayes Purple 17U EYBL) – 5’7 Shooting Guard
Rivera is flat out deadly from anywhere on the court once she crosses the half court line. She is an elite level 3-point shooter with deep range, a quick release, excellent footwork, and does a great job of using her lower body and getting her legs into her shot. You simply can not leave Rivera open, as she likely shoots 75% from 3 when her shot is uncontested. Essence did a good job running some pin down action for her, looking to create space and open her up for catch and shoot opportunities. Rivera is not just a catch and shoot 3-point shooter as she has the ability to create her own shot, has a solid crossover and can knock down the 3 off of step backs going either way.
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.