New Faces at the Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">By Michael Wholey 1/4/23 11:00 AM EST</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>The Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational wrapped up this weekend hosting 100+ teams from all over the country.  With over 100 teams in attendance, there were a ton of talented teams and players in the gym both from Florida and out of state.  We will break down the event all week.  In this take, we break down some new faces.  These are players that it was our first time laying eyes on them.  </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='852071' first='Olivia' last='Schmitt'] </strong>(DME National) – 5'5 Point Guard – Class of 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Schmitt is a tough gritty point guard for a DME Academy's talented national team.  Schmitt did a great job pushing the tempo, slashing through the opposing defenses.  She is crafty ball handler with great passing skills and court vision.    </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752545' first='Jamila' last='Ray']</strong> (Lake Gibson HS) – 5'9 Guard – Class of 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ray was a young talented, slender, quick point guard who is extremely athletic and has a big time vertical.  She has a scorer's mentality with a versatile skill set.  Just a freshman, she was the teams main ball handler, balancing initiating the team's offense and finding scoring opportunities for herself.    </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Maddison Manragh </strong>(Western HS) – 5'11 Guard – Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Manragh is a young, raw wing who can play both the wing and the forward spot.  She has an underdeveloped offensive skill set but has a ton of potential.  She played significant minutes for a talented Western High School, playing an active role on both sides of the basketball.  She is a capable rebounder, has 15 feet range, runs the floor hard in transition, and can attack the rim going right. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Elani Randall</strong> (Durant HS) – 6'1 Forward – Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Randall is a young post, who played the forward and the center spot.  At 6'1, Randall was an effective offensive and defensive rebounder, finished well in the paint and had an interior presence in the paint.  Just a Sophomore, Randall has a ton of potential and huge upside.  She will be a player to follow, tracking her development and growth.  She has an opportunity to be an impact player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='247216' first='Aissa' last='Diallo'] </strong>(Bloomingdale) – 5'7 Guard – Class of 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Diallo was the team's best player, serving as point guard while also leading them in scoring.  She is quick and explosive with a dynamite first step and is crafty in 1 on 1 situations.  Diallo makes the Bloomingdale squad tick, not only leading them in scoring but also serving as the team's emotional leader.  She plays hard and aggressive on both end of the floor and is an active defender.    </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Mahaila Harrison </strong>(DME National) – 5'11 Guard / Wing – Class of 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Harrison was very impressive for DME National.  She is a long wing with a smooth stroke and was my favorite player on the talented DME squad.  She got in foul trouble in the first game I saw her play but was extremely effective in her limited minutes on the court displaying her outside shooting ability and long, slender, athletic build. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248453' first='Zora' last='Jackson']</strong> (Oak Ridge HS) – 5'4 Guard – Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jackson is a quick guard with a slender build.  She served mainly as the teams point guard, while also playing off the ball a bit as well.  She is the team's second leading scorer (8.6 PPG) and also second in assists (1.9 APG) and first in steals (2.9 SPG).  Although small in stature, Jackson plays bigger than her size and is aggressive on both ends of the court.  She is a great on ball defender, plays at her best in up tempo games, and is constantly attacking the paint.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Michael Wholey</strong> 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.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; Our audience often supplies us with some of our best information.&nbsp; If you have any information on players, teams, or statewide news in the state of Florida, emailing Michael Wholey at <a href="mailto:WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com">WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com</a> or DM him through Twitter or Instagram @WholeyPrepHoops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->