West Coast Holiday Classic Standouts Pt. 1
This week, Burroughs High School in Burbank, CA is playing host to their annual holiday tournament, the West Coast Holiday Classic. With a field sporting some talented teams and players, this is one of the top girls tournaments during the…
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Continue ReadingThis week, Burroughs High School in Burbank, CA is playing host to their annual holiday tournament, the West Coast Holiday Classic. With a field sporting some talented teams and players, this is one of the top girls tournaments during the holiday season in Southern California. I was able to stop by on Monday, Dec. 26 for the first day of the tournament, and here’s a look at some of the top standouts that I saw.
1. Marianne Boco – Granada Hills Charter 2024
Boco is a tough point guard who does a good job controlling the offense. Good handles and dribbles under control against defensive pressure. She’s a tough finisher in the paint, she attacks middle, gets right into the teeth of the defense and can finish through contact while drawing fouls. Comes off screens well and attacks the switch. She can shoot off the dribble, she didn’t quite have the best shooting game that I saw, but it’s clear the motions and movements are there. On the defensive end, she gets her hands in the passing lanes and forces turnovers.
2. Brooklyn Harris – Hamilton 2025
Harris is the epitome of a hustle player and an active defender. She has quick hands and is plays strong on-ball defense. Makes a lot of hustle plays closing out on shooters, scrambling to loose balls and sneaking her way in for rebounds. Most of her activity comes off the ball. She’s unselfish, not always looking to score but looking to make the right play/pass. When she does look to score, most of that is also off-ball, running the floor well on the break and being a finisher.
3. Evelyn Birau – Taft 2023
Birau was money in the midrange in the game I saw. She’s patient when looking to score, reads the defense and can adjust. Comfortable with the ball in her hands and looking to create offense. She can drive baseline and pull-up to hit the midrange shot. She’s also able to draw contact on her jumpers and get to the free-throw line. One of the most consistent on the team at being able to get to the stripe. She also does a good job being in the mix for rebounds as a guard.
4. Laney Grider – Hart 2023
A Masters University commit, Grider is often tasked with being the primary ball-handler. She can handle the ball in transition and in the halfcourt and is kind of in the mold of a big/tall guard. She has a good shot especially from three-point range and she does well in catch and shoot situations. She keeps her head up on the break, looks to push the tempo and can find the open teammate. She knows how to move off-ball as well and does a good job relocating after the pass.