Grassroots: 2027 Notes and Observations - CFE 16U

The SSS had some really nice match-ups and I got a chance to go watch some of the top 16U teams in the State of Florida. In this article, we take a look at the CFE 16U team who competed and turned some heads. The team had strong guard play and was well-rounded and talented in the front court.    [player_tooltip player_id='755322' first='Acelia' last='Beals'] can flat out "ball" and the tape shows it. First of all, that left hand jumper is so smooth (there is something about a left handed player who can shoot the rock). Beal is more that a shooter, but let's start from behind the arc. She shot one from the right corner in the first half and it looked like her momentum was carrying out of bounds line, but she calmly let the left handed "J" fly. In the second half, Beals knocked down a few more threes. One came in transition and then a third one came from the right elbow. That one is a play where legendary status could be obtained. Her point guard drew the defense and kicked it out to Beals around the right elbow. Beals caught the pass, head faked the defender and let a three ball go. As the ball was in the air, her point guard held up three fingers and started her retreat to the defensive side of the court. While heading down the court, the point guard heard the loud "swish". Beals has very good handles and uses angles well to get pass or at least neutralize defenders. On defense, she has active hands and is not afraid to mix it up with bigger players. She constantly picked her self off the court as a result of her no-fear approach to the game.   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/DSC08006.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1235371" /></figure> </blockquote>     [player_tooltip player_id='1223182' first='Saleigh' last='Simpson'] was really impressive at the SSS Showcase earlier this month. Her athleticism jumps out at you and her ability to run the floor does as well. At the SSS, she did a good job of aggressively attacking the rim to score. Simpson got to the free-throws line several times and knocked the free-throws down. On the defensive end she was a problem.  With her great length, agility, and size, she had the ability to cut off drives and put pressure on the shot attempts in the paint. Simpson held it down in the middle and did a good job of battling and rebounding the ball. In transition she filled the lanes well and was a force going to the rim. She had the ability to take the pass and score the ball even when contested. Several even led the break herself and made good decisions with the ball. The playable that that really brought the house down was her chasing down a point guard from behind, causing a turnover, and seeing her teammate score on the other end.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/DSC08088.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1235392" /></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='1223178' first='Aubrey' last='Griffin'] showed a lot of versatility at the SSS Showcase.   Griffith played the three and four positions and really mixed it up on the inside at the power forward spot. Griffin has a solid athletic frame and had no problem playing physical. On defense she showed an ability to move her feet well. She was impressive on ball switches and got matched up with a point guard a few times. She kept the guard at bay and prevented the drive for a layup. Griffin can also handle the ball well from the forward position. One play that comes to mind. She led the fast break and hit a cutting teammate in stride to for a layup. Griffin has a nice shooting touch. She shot a smooth three point shot and connected on a short baseline jumper. Griffin's versatility was impressive. She also showed great intangibles on the floor: she played with great energy and also her ability to communicate with teammates during the game was impressive. She continuously showed leadership and made sure her teammates were in the right place and handling their defensive assignments.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/DSC07968.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1235413" /></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='1223184' first='Riley' last='France'] looked good at the early Showcase. France showcased a nice shooting form and touch.  In addition to shooting, the young forward showed and ability to put the ball down and attack the rim.  Is very good at running the floor and has very good hands.  France uses her height to score on the inside. She runs the floor very well and knows what to do when she gets the ball. On one play, France caught a bullet pass from half court with all hands. She gathered herself, and finished with a contested layup.  France doesn't mind the physicality it takes to win at the rim.     <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/DSC07953.jpg?w=969" alt="" class="wp-image-1235476" /></figure>     Ke' Nya Clark played well and was a player who did the little things. She did a good job of utilizing her length, especially on the offensive rebounds and scoring on the inside. Clark was versatile and had the ability to play on the wing and down on the blocks. She had great energy and also ran the floor well. She showed versatility on the defensive end with her ability to cover 4s and 5s as well as shooting guards and small forwards.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/DSC07939-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1235524" /></figure>       [player_tooltip player_id='823463' first='Presley' last='Norman'] continued to excel on the basketball court at the SSS. Norman did a lot of good things at the SSS. Norman handled the ball well and was instrumental in press break and initiating the offense. The young guard understands good ball movement and has the ability to shoot off the catch or of the dribble. She is usually money when receiving the pass from one of her bigs down low. At the SSS, there were multiple games where the sharp shooter connected on at least 4 threes. Norman is just picking up where she left off from - a very solid Sophomore campaign. She shot close to 44 percent this past season from behind the arc and was one of the tops in the State in three point percentage.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/DSC08108.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1235530" /></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='738971' first='Gabi' last='Iturralde'] played well at the SSS showcase. She shot the three ball well and got in great position to shoot the ball. She handled the two position well and showed the versatility to score the ball. Iturralde shot the three ball well. On the defensive end, Iturralde's pressure on the ball was impressive. She pressed on the ball and created turnovers and conversions to layups.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/DSC08091.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1235520" /></figure>

The SSS had some really nice match-ups and I got a chance to go watch some of the top 16U teams in the State of Florida. In this article, we take a look at the CFE 16U team who competed and turned some heads. The team had strong guard play and was well-rounded and talented in the front court.