USJN California Classic Top Standouts Pt. 5

Leah Sarabia; Leuzinger 2024

David Yapkowitz

April 29, 2023 @ 07:23 PM

This weekend, Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, CA played host to the USJN California Classic as the first live period got underway. The event was held from Apr. 21-23 and featured some of the top talent from both Northern and Southern California. I was able to attend the event on Sunday, Apr. 23 and here's a look at some additional standouts I saw. 1. [player_tooltip player_id='756846' first='Leah' last='Sarabia'] - Leuzinger 2024 I've seen Sarabia play a couple of times now and what stood out to me this event was her improved ball-handling and ability to be a primary playmaker/creator. She looks very comfortable with the ball in her hands and creating her own shot. She handles the ball in transition and can finish strong at the basket on the break. Very good on ball defender who does well contesting shots. 2. G'layah Salazar - St Mary's Academy 2026 Salazar is young player who has an advanced skill-set. She is a wing/forward who has a decent post game. She can get good position and is able to knock down the little fadeaway jumper in the midpost. She can pass out of the paint too when swarmed by the defense. Uses her size to crash the glass and is able to get put-backs. 3. Jatniel Cabrera - 2026 Cabrera was one of the better point guards I saw. She's small but effective. Very quick off the dribble and consistently was able to get past the defense and into the paint. Pushes the ball ahead in transition and keeps her head up while dribbling. She's pass first in the halfcourt and can make good entry passes. Able to play off screens and can shoot if the defense sags. 4. [player_tooltip player_id='835351' first='Lexi' last='Shapiro'] - Windward 2024 Shapiro stood out simply for playing her role and not trying to do too much. She's a guard/ball-handler who is able to dribble under control against defensive pressure. She has a good jumper; able to knock down threes off the catch and hit the little pull-up off the dribble.

This weekend, Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, CA played host to the USJN California Classic as the first live period got underway. The event was held from Apr. 21-23 and featured some of the top talent from both Northern and Southern California. I was able to attend the event on Sunday, Apr. 23 and here's a look at some additional standouts I saw.

1. Leah Sarabia Leah Sarabia 5'10" | SF Leuzinger | 2024 State CA - Leuzinger 2024

I've seen Sarabia play a couple of times now and what stood out to me this event was her improved ball-handling and ability to be a primary playmaker/creator. She looks very comfortable with the ball in her hands and creating her own shot. She handles the ball in transition and can finish strong at the basket on the break. Very good on ball defender who does well contesting shots.

2. G'layah Salazar - St Mary's Academy 2026

Salazar is young player who has an advanced skill-set. She is a wing/forward who has a decent post game. She can get good position and is able to knock down the little fadeaway jumper in the midpost. She can pass out of the paint too when swarmed by the defense. Uses her size to crash the glass and is able to get put-backs.

3. Jatniel Cabrera - 2026

Cabrera was one of the better point guards I saw. She's small but effective. Very quick off the dribble and consistently was able to get past the defense and into the paint. Pushes the ball ahead in transition and keeps her head up while dribbling. She's pass first in the halfcourt and can make good entry passes. Able to play off screens and can shoot if the defense sags.

4. Lexi Shapiro Lexi Shapiro 5'6" | CG Windward | 2024 State CA - Windward 2024

Shapiro stood out simply for playing her role and not trying to do too much. She's a guard/ball-handler who is able to dribble under control against defensive pressure. She has a good jumper; able to knock down threes off the catch and hit the little pull-up off the dribble.