Spring 17U Stand Outs – Class of 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By Michael Wholey 5/24/23 9:00 PM EST</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The Spring Travel season has taken teams and players all across the country.&nbsp; Florida has been well represented and performed at a high level against some of the top competition in the country.&nbsp; Here are some of the top standouts in the 17U division.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='645162' first='Tabitha' last='Betson'] </strong>(DME Academy / DME Travel) – 6'2 Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":645285,"width":219,"height":292,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/04/20230423_132131.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-645285" width="219" height="292" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Likely no one stock has risen as much as Betson.  At 6'2, she is extremely unique, plays hard, is versatile, and has a strong skill set.  She is active on both ends of the floor, crashes the boards aggressively, advances defensive rebounds to start break, and fills up the stat sheet.  She has had D1 offers pouring in all spring and that likely will not stop throughout the summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='217664' first='Lexi' last='Blue'] </strong>(Lake Highland Prep / Central Florida Elite) – 6'0 Wing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blue has long been considered a top prospect but has really upped her production throughout the spring.&nbsp; Her versatility is impressive, as she is able to play multiple positions and contribute across the board in a number of ways.&nbsp; She fills the stat sheet with points, assists, rebounds, and block shots.&nbsp; Her perimeter shooting is her X factor, when she is knocking the 3 ball down, she is almost impossible to stop.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243885' first='Jada' last='Eads'] </strong>(Lake Highland Prep / Central Florida Elite) – 5'7 Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":635824,"width":164,"height":164,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/04/Jada-Eads.jpeg?w=540" alt="" class="wp-image-635824" width="164" height="164" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eads can go! She is uber athletic, has a big time first step, plays down hill and explosive and is a bucket getter! Her offers have picked up this spring as well, following a big time season with Lake Highland Prep.  Her size is deceiving but she plays bigger than 5'7 and always steps up the bigger the competition.  Her deep 3-point range is her biggest strength because as she heats up, defenses really need to get out and guard her and the floor opens up for everyone!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331745' first='Eris' last='Lester'] </strong>(Orange Park / Miami Suns) – 5'11 Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lester burst onto the scene last year and has continued rising up the rankings and onto college coaches radar.&nbsp; She is an elite athlete who can truly do it all on the offensive end.&nbsp; She has a quiet demeanor and a business like attitude just silently going about her business while filling up the stat sheet.&nbsp; She is aggressive on the offensive end, consistently attacking the rim and looking to score but does not force and plays unselfishly.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243892' first='Carmen' last='Richardson'] </strong>(Colonial / Central Florida Elite) – 6'0 Wing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":635825,"width":207,"height":207,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/04/Carmen-Richardson.jpeg?w=540" alt="" class="wp-image-635825" width="207" height="207" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richardson is a skilled offensive player who is able to contribute on both ends in a variety of ways using her length, athleticism and IQ.  She plays under control while still being aggressive.  She looks for her own shot but is always willing to make the extra pass or work to get her teammates involved.  Her length is impactful both on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.  She gets her hands on a lot of balls, rebounds well from the perimeter, and her wingspan to get a number of steals and deflections. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bri Rivera </strong>(Lake Highland Prep / J Sizzles) – 5'8 Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rivera has been letting it fly and knocking it down all spring for J Sizzles.&nbsp; She is in range anytime she touches the ball over half court.&nbsp; Her ability to shoot the 3 ball from all spots on the court both off the pass and off the dribble is a highly coveted skill that is drawing attention from coaches all across the country.&nbsp;</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 WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com or DM him through Twitter or Instagram @WholeyPrepHoops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->