Young Prospects That Caught My Eye This High School Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By Michael Wholey 3/19/23 7:00 AM EST</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I was able to take in a number high school games, events and tournaments through out the 2022-23 high school season.  Here are several class of 2027 and class of 2028 prospects that caught my eye.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1223182' first='Saleigh' last='Simpson']</strong> (Lake Highland Prep) – 5'10 Forward – Class of 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simpson was a new face that I was not familiar with.  Throughout the season as Lake Highland Prep battled injuries, she continued to get opportunities to come off the bench and contribute.  She is a strong, talented young wing that is naturally gifted on the offensive end of the floor.  On a team that is heavily dominated by Juniors, Simpson will have to wait her turn but will be pivotal in the continued success and carrying on the legacy of Lake Highland Prep.  Remember the name, the future is bright for Simpson and she will be a rising star.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='873461' first='Navaeh' last='Lee']</strong> (Seffner Christian) – 5<em>'7 Guard – Class of 2027</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee is young, quick and a big-time guard that is a smooth offensive player that can fill up the nets in variety of ways.  She can attack off the bounce, is a high percentage perimeter shooter that can knock down the 3-ball from all areas on the court.  She is naturally gifted scorer who is one of the most talented players in the state.  She has a quiet on court demeanor and leads more by example then with her voice but when the lights turn on and the state is set, she shows up in a big way!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='214184' first='Jalynn' last='Belton']</strong> (Miami Country Day) – 5'9 Wing – Class of 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belton is a big-time player with big time skill.  She has an extremely versatile skill set with a strong build and an offensive game mature for her age.  She makes plays both with the ball in her hands and without the ball that don't normally see for a player that is yet to be a freshman in high school.  The combination of her size and her mass allow her to rebound and absorb contact on the interior and stay on balance.  She shoots the ball at a high percentage from the field and has a high IQ with excellent court vision, constantly finding the open player and sharing the basketball to her teammates for easy buckets.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221602' first='Kori' last='Edge'] </strong>(Miami Country Day) – 5'4 Guard – Class of 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Belton is getting major minutes for Miami Country Day, Edge gets spot minutes but is equally as important to Miami Country Day and keeping their dynasty alive.  She is a young guard with a lot of bounce and plays fearlessly and aggressively when she gets her opportunities on the court.  Throughout the season she played against players 2-4 years older than her and continued to feel more comfortable and find ways to contribute and build out a role.  [player_tooltip player_id='221602' first='Kori' last='Edge'] will be a name to remember for the coming years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248376' first='Arianna' last='Robinson'] </strong>(Miami Country Day) – 5'4 Guard – Class of 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you follow Miami Country Day and the players that come through their program and the success they have had, you can understand the master game plan for the overall development for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248376' first='Arianna' last='Robinson']</strong> and the other young players on Miami Country Day squad like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221602' first='Kori' last='Edge']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='214184' first='Jalynn' last='Belton']</strong>,and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='219786' first='Kennedy' last='Deal'].  </strong>Because before<strong> Robinson</strong>,<strong> Edge</strong>,<strong> Belton </strong>and<strong> Deal</strong>,it was<strong> Kelsey Marshall</strong>,<strong> Michelle Berry</strong>,<strong> Channise Lewis</strong>,<strong> Maria Alvarez</strong>, <strong>Dashaun Jackson</strong>,<strong> Ogechi Anyagaligbo</strong>,<strong> Sydney Shaw</strong>,and<strong> Asha Taylor</strong>.<strong>  </strong>And as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91642' first='Kristina' last='Godfrey']</strong> graduates and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='217667' first='Kayla' last='Nelms']</strong> becomes a Senior, it will be players like [player_tooltip player_id='248376' first='Arianna' last='Robinson'] that will continue to develop and benefit to the Miami Country Day program and its plan for young players<strong>.  </strong>Robinson has been thrown into the fire all season and has continued to mature and grow and improve. She has solid handle, an excellent court presence, and plays with good energy.  Stay tuned as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248376' first='Arianna' last='Robinson']</strong> is up next!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><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 -->