CIF City Section Open Division Semifinals Players to Watch
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This weekend, Pasadena City College hosts the CIF City Section Open Division Semifinals. The final four teams are Crenshaw, Granada Hills, King/Drew and Westchester. Each team is packed with talent and players that can play at the next level. I’ve…
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Continue ReadingThis weekend, Pasadena City College hosts the CIF City Section Open Division Semifinals. The final four teams are Crenshaw, Granada Hills, King/Drew and Westchester. Each team is packed with talent and players that can play at the next level. I’ve seen each of these teams play this season and here’s a look at some of the top players to watch as the semifinals get underway.
1.
Citlali Salazar
Citlali
Salazar
5'7" | PG
Crenshaw | 2023
State
CA
– Crenshaw 2023
Salazar is a solid point guard who is able to find the balance between knowing when to get her own shot and when to pass and find the open teammate. A good ball-handler who can dribble under defensive pressure and can break a press. She can get downhill and attack and get to the basket where she’s able to finish through contact. Can draw fouls and get herself to the free-throw line. Not afraid of the big moment and recognizes when the team needs a bucket. Good defender on ball using quick hands to force turnovers.
2. Andrea Hinton – King/Drew 2023
Hinton is a big wing who can handle the ball well. She’s comfortable with the ball in her hands and making plays. She can play in the post and can hit smaller defenders with a little turnaround jumper or she can take bigger defenders off the dribble and attack the basket. Uses her strength well to finish at the rim. Able to bait defenders into fouls in the paint and get herself to the free-throw line. Can shoot the little floater in the lane. She’s a good rebounding wing using her size to get position and grab boards in traffic.
3. Karma Paez – Granada Hills 2024
Paez is in the mold of a big wing who can handle the ball and alternate between shooting guard and small forward. She navigates screens well and shoots the ball with confidence if the defense is in drop. Can control the pace well with her ball-handling ability. Able to attack off the dribble and finish at the basket. Good shooter from three-point range either off the catch in the halfcourt or as a trailer in transition. Defensively she’s active on ball and closes out well on shooters.
4.
Rylei Waugh
Rylei
Waugh
5'6" | PG
Westchester | 2023
State
CA
– Westchester 2023
Waugh is one of the top point guards in City Section. She’s a strong ball-handler who can control the pace and has good change of direction off the dribble. Quick with the ball in her hands, she’s able to get downhill and get into the lane and kick the ball out to open teammates when the defense collapses. Able to shoot off the dribble and has consistent range to the three-point line. A true floor leader who can knows when to get her own shot and when to make the pass.