Spring Recap: Impressive Spring-Sleepers

In this article, we highlight various talented players who caught our attention for one reason or another. Some players may have shined on the defensive end, some shined on the offensive end, some in transition, and some made an impression with their effort alone. Some of these players are ones you will hear a lot about by the end of the summer live period.   [player_tooltip player_id='514545' first='Mariah' last='Young'] caught our attention this Spring with her effort on the basketball court and her ability to make contributions in a lot of areas. Young does a good job of handling the basketball and distributing it to her shooters on her team. She didn't start at the point but did a good job of helping the point guard break the press or play at the point when the primary point guard was out. Young was impressive recently on the Spring Grassroot circuit and it was for her defensive effort on the floor. Young is a good on-ball defender who will pick the guard's pocket if her handles are not tight. Young has played well this summer and she does a good job of getting the ball inside to her post players and distributing the ball to her shooters on the wing.   [player_tooltip player_id='514544' first='Narissa' last='Blocton'] (cover photo) caught our eye at the Candace Dupres Invitational and she is one of the players who could vouch for defensive player of the year on the First Coast. The young guard can defend three positions and do it well. She is a very good on-ball defender who can defend elite ball players and shout down an offense with her relentless defense. Offensively, Blocton can score the ball at an effective rate. In transition, she can finish with the best of them. She uses her length to shoot over defenders, and she is fast enough to get around quality defenders. Blocton can also shoot the ball respectfully from behind the three-point arc. Blocton attacks the rim very hard and has th ability to score the basket or get to the free-throw line.   [player_tooltip player_id='655704' first='Victoria' last='Noble'] shot the ball well during the live period and that comes as no surprise. Noble can shoot the three with great efficiency and she is capable of stringing several threes together when she gets it going. Noble is also a smart player and does a good job of setting up teammates for scores. Noble is most comfortable at the shooting guard position, but she can run the point when needed. Noble enters the season as one of the top shooters on the First Coast and she will be among the leaders on the First Coast this upcoming season. But, first thing is first as Noble is primed for a special summer high school season.   [player_tooltip player_id='914878' first='Shelby' last='Gaines'] has played well this AAU season and that's just a continuation of her stellar play from this past high school season. Gaines runs the floor well, shoots the ball well, and is a flat-out baller on the defensive end. Gaines played well at the recent Candace Dupree Invitational. Last high school season, Gaines finished with an average of nearly 12 points and 5 rebounds per contest. Gaines is a three-level scorer on offense and has the athleticism that allows her to finish at the rim at a lot of different angles and with a high degree of difficulty.   [player_tooltip player_id='400773' first='JoLesa' last='Birkhead'] had some nice moments at the Candace Dupree Invitational. The impressive part of her performance was the bounceback game she had after playing one of the best teams in the State. Birkhead bounced back the next game with four three-pointers. Birkhead was one of the top players in Hillsborough County this past season and has received several offers. Birkhead can shoot the three at a high rate and is a bonafide scorer. She can also get to the rim and score. Her bounce-back game was impressive and left an impression equal to the step-back three. Birkhead is a leader on the floor who communicates well and plays like a coach on the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='794724' first='Sophia' last='Iskander'] has had some good moments in the Spring travel season and there is more to come. Iskander plays with an edge and has a clutch gene in her. She has the ability to shoot the three-pointer, get to the rim, and the ability to rise to the occasion in crunch time.   [player_tooltip player_id='221661' first='Cazaria' last='Britt'] has been impressive this Spring travel season and her athleticism and competitiveness are two of her attributes that stand out. Other tools that she has in her bag include her defense and rebounding abilities. Britt also has the ability to draw the foul and get to the free-throw line. Earlier in the travel season, Britt scored two free throws in the final seconds to give her team the lead and victory. Britt can defend on the wing and also in the paint. She is very active on defense and brings the effort and the production.   [player_tooltip player_id='788673' first='Serene' last='Exalant'] has had some excellent moments this travel season and every time I watch Exalant play or watch the film of her, her athleticism and talent jump out. Exalant is a great finisher in the transition game and plays quality ball on the offensive end. Exalant has a great motor and always is around the ball. She plays the passing lanes well and gets her share of steals.

In this article, we highlight various talented players who caught our attention for one reason or another. Some players may have shined on the defensive end, some shined on the offensive end, some in transition, and some made an impression with their effort alone. Some of these players are ones you will hear a lot about by the end of the summer live period.