Insider Exposure Thanksgiving Classic: Day 1 Standouts

The annual Insider Exposure Showcase in Jacksonville is always packed with top talent from across the country as teams kick off their seasons. Here are some of the players who stood out to me on Day 1:      [player_tooltip player_id='248685' first='Gabrielle' last='King'] first caught my attention with her vocal leadership on both the offensive and defensive ends, making the coach's job much easier. She then backed it up with her impressive gameplay. King's ability to handle the ball and play low and fast made her a tough matchup for the opposing team. Her explosive first step and ability to stop on a dime allowed her to throw her defenders off balance, leading to several easy, uncontested layups.   Additionally, her excellent shooting form enabled her to knock down clutch three-pointers, both off the catch and off the dribble. King played with competitive intensity on both ends of the floor. On defense, she was arguably even more impactful, guarding her opponents full-court, fighting over screens, and directing her teammates off the ball by calling out screens and cuts.   King is poised for a breakout season with Somerset Prep and will undoubtedly play a crucial role in their 2A state championship run.     [player_tooltip player_id='429793' first='Olivia' last='Olson'] is a SHOOTER! New Smyrna Beach brought in an instant scorer this season, and during their game, it was evident just how lethal she is. From the very beginning, Olson was on fire—I don't believe she missed a single shot in the first half, going 4-for-4 from the three-point line. She showcased her versatility, hitting a corner three, a three off the dribble, a three out of an elevator screen, and a catch-and-shoot three from the wing—all swishing through the net. She finished the game with an impressive 7 or 8 three-pointers.   Olson also contributed on the boards, grabbing rebounds and quickly initiating transition offense with sharp outlet passes. When an outlet pass wasn't an option, she pushed the ball herself, setting up her teammates for easy transition buckets.   The addition of Olivia, along with her talented teammate Iniya, makes New Smyrna Beach an instant favorite to play for the 5A state championship this season.     [player_tooltip player_id='221593' first='Yinuo' last='Wang'] played the point guard position like a pro in her game against Mt. Zion Prep. She impacted the game in every aspect but excelled at controlling the tempo as the floor general. Whatever the team needed, she delivered—a coach's dream. Wang ran the offense with precision when necessary, knocked down clutch shots, including layups and threes, to help her team pull away, and made excellent entry passes to reward her post players for fighting for position early.   She took whatever the defense gave her and made them pay, creating opportunities for her teammates with some elite passes. One standout moment was a baseline drive where she executed a spectacular wrap-around bounce pass to a cutting post player at the front of the rim, leaving the crowd in awe.   Wang looks poised to play a pivotal role in helping this star-studded team repeat as 4A state champions.     [player_tooltip player_id='721469' first='Iniya' last='Reddicks'] came to play and put on a show. The 2027 guard proved she is one of the best in her class, displaying a combination of quickness and athleticism while maintaining impressive control. Her ability to finish at the rim with craftiness makes her a joy to watch.   However, Iniya isn't just an athletic player; she has significantly improved her shooting form and follow-through, making her a tough guard. Her quick and high release allows her to excel at shooting off the catch. If defenders close out too aggressively, she can easily pump fake and attack the rim with just 2-3 dribbles.   Defensively, Reddicks uses her agility to move laterally with ease, staying low and utilizing her long frame to disrupt opponents and force turnovers. The Reddicks-Olson duo is sure to give coaches sleepless nights as they prepare game plans. New Smyrna Beach is my pick to make it to the 5A state championship.     [player_tooltip player_id='934760' first='Lillian' last='Sanchez'] played pivotal minutes for Spruce Creek in their game against Whitefield Academy. Anytime the opposing team tried to make a run, Sanchez responded with a big play. She started by knocking down crucial three-pointers to stretch the lead, then used her quick first step to get to the rim for layups, keeping the defense honest and forcing them to respect both her shooting and driving abilities.   Sanchez also demonstrated excellent court vision, making smart passes on the wing and accurate entry passes to keep the offense flowing and prevent stagnation. Defensively, she contributed by causing turnovers in traps and quickly transitioning down the court for easy fast-break points.   Her endurance stood out as she played the majority of the game with minimal signs of fatigue, showcasing her excellent conditioning and the trust the coaching staff places in her. Sanchez is set for a breakout season as she leads Spruce Creek in their pursuit of a deep 7A state playoff run.

The annual Insider Exposure Showcase in Jacksonville is always packed with top talent from across the country as teams kick off their seasons. Here are some of the players who stood out to me on Day 1: