Battle Of The K Showcase Day 1 Standouts

The 2nd Annual Battle of the K Showcase was held once again in Kissimmee, FL, at Central Pointe Academy, featuring high-caliber teams from all over. Here are my Day 1 standouts:    [player_tooltip player_id='861113' first='Quin'Nya' last='Gray De Sanders'] is FAST and athletic! This season, she has harnessed that speed and started to play under control. Sanders finished with 14 points in a game against NFEI, showcasing her impressive ability to dribble at full speed and stop on a dime. It's difficult to stop her from getting to the rim, as she plays low to the ground and has an explosive first step.   Currently, Sanders is averaging 13.2 points per game this season while shooting 42% from the field. She plays on one of the top teams in the state, facing tough competition every night. Sanders and her team appear determined to win the 7A state championship.     [player_tooltip player_id='514601' first='Talia' last='Busser'] was on fire on the first day of play! A three-point sniper, Talia showcased her shooting ability against nationally ranked [program_tooltip program_id='712489' first='DME' last=''], finishing with 18 points while going 4-for-7 from beyond the arc, including a corner four-point play.   Busser's ability to spread the floor makes her a significant threat, especially on a team with two highly recruited 6'2" players. She forces defenses into tough decisions—whether to help on the drive or stay on her, risking an open shot.   Talia is currently shooting an impressive 45% from three-point range and has a season-high of six made three-pointers in a single game. She has undoubtedly made her case as one of the best shooters in the state.     Sy'Monique Simon is an elite two-way player. On Day 1, she had the challenging assignment of guarding one of the nation's top guards in the 2026 class against nationally ranked [program_tooltip program_id='712489' first='DME' last='']. Simon rose to the occasion, defending relentlessly for all four quarters.   Her impact wasn't limited to the defensive end—Simon also contributed heavily on offense, finishing with 20 points. She was a mid-range assassin, consistently putting the defense on their heels and knocking down pull-up jumpers. Her clutch performance culminated in a crucial mid-range shot in the final minute to seal the game.   Simon is currently averaging 11.9 points per game this season and is only 120 points away from reaching the 1,000-point milestone in her high school career. Her ability to guard the opposing team's best player full court while still delivering on offense makes her an instant game-changer in any matchup.     [player_tooltip player_id='430251' first='Alexie' last='Nicolas'] is another standout two-way player from Day 1. Alexie excels at on-ball defense and demonstrates excellent technique by walling up on drives to avoid fouling. She also has the ability to push the ball quickly in transition, finding her sprinting teammates with precision.   Nicolas starts games by getting her teammates involved, jumpstarting the offense, and then shifts to attacking the rim with ease. Her quick first step and smooth finishes make her a constant offensive threat. She finished the game with 16 points, along with an estimated 5 or 6 assists and 5 or 6 steals, impacting the game in every possible way.     [player_tooltip player_id='468627' first='Jasleen' last='Green'] plays the game with remarkable smoothness and control. Her ability to patiently find her spots and score is an elite skill. On Day 1, she showcased this talent by scoring 18 points in a narrow 2-point victory against Montverde Gold, a loaded team.   Green is a versatile scorer who can shoot and score from all three levels, but in this game, she highlighted her knack for drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line. This strategy not only earned her points but also put the opposing team's post players in foul trouble, demonstrating her unselfishness and ability to make the game easier for her teammates.   Additionally, her proficiency in using screens is impressive. Whether she's the ball handler creating opportunities for her teammates or coming off screens to find her shot, Green's skill set makes her a significant offensive threat.     Any time [player_tooltip player_id='346835' first='Jaida' last='Civil'] steps on the court, she is undeniably the most athletic and fastest player out there, and her performance against a talented Miami Southridge team was no exception. Her ability to outrun defenders and score in transition, coupled with her knack for grabbing rebounds—often her own thanks to her quick second jump—is on full display every game.   What truly stood out during the Day 1 showcase, however, was her growth as a point guard. Civil demonstrated a high basketball IQ by effectively running the offense, recognizing the defensive focus on her, and creating easy scoring opportunities for her teammates with smart passes and patient decision-making.   She finished the game with 18 points and at least 10 rebounds, solidifying why she is a Tennessee commit and proving her status as a standout player in every aspect of the game.

The 2nd Annual Battle of the K Showcase was held once again in Kissimmee, FL, at Central Pointe Academy, featuring high-caliber teams from all over. Here are my Day 1 standouts: