Team Synergy Practice: 2030s and 2029s

Last Thursday, I journeyed to Wayne for [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] practice. Seeing new prospects for the first time is always exciting, so I was thrilled to watch and talk to the students in their program. Program Director Deena Pringle and her coaching staff designed a jam-packed practice that included passing, ball-handling, finishing, shooting, and 3 v 2 drills. The girls also competed in short games, which gave me ample opportunities to evaluate how the players performed fundamental skills individually and in a game setting. The girls pushed themselves hard throughout practice, were respectful of their coaches by responding "Yes Coach", enthusiastically clapped on the baselines/sidelines, and verbally communicated with each other.   During the recruiting Q&A after practice, the girls blew me away with their curiosity, thoughtful questions, and attentive eye contact. Every girl on the team had attended a Women's College Basketball game, nearly all had seen D1, D2, D3/NAIA, and a few had even attended JUCO games--I was extremely impressed by that! Coach Deena Pringle started [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] for her daughter Mariah shortly after COVID, with one team. The program has grown since, with three teams competing on the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit this spring: 14U, 15U, and 16U. [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] is passionate about taking underdog basketball players and building the girls up to be successful. Their goal is to make all five girls on the court an option, a team where everyone is a featured player. [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy']'s program motto is "Combined Action Equals Positive Results". I greatly enjoyed my time at practice and have included my observations of their 2030 and 2029 athletes below.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Travel Schedule</h2>   April 12th-13th: PGH Crossroads Clash, Mishawaka, IN   April 25th-26th: Select Events The Clash, Hamilton, OH   May 2nd-4th: PGH Gem City, Dayton, OH   May 10th-11th: UA Future, Philadelphia, PA   May 16th-18th: Grassroots The Smoke, Grand Rapids, MI   May 25th-26th: UA Future, Brighton, MI   May 31st-June 1st: PGH Victory Region Finals, Chicago, IL   June 20th-22nd: UA Future Finals, Hamilton, OH   July 6th: LBI Mitten Summer Showdown, Mt. Pleasant, MI   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2029s</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/PXL_20250410_005656472.MP_-crop-3226x2118-1744320973.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1231247" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Coach Pringle, L. Scott, B. Ballard, M. Pringle, K. Whitlock, C. Ubokodum, C. Orr, I. Sherrod.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2030s</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/PXL_20250410_005720122.MP_-crop-3226x2118-1744321214.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1231249" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Coach Pringle, A. Steward, N. Hill, U. Smith, Coach Reynolds, Coach Yaya.</figcaption></figure>    Autumn was one of the best prospects on the court, regardless of grade, at [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] practice. She started the practice right by having one of the quickest feet during the line jump warmups. She made three-point shots consistently with balance and fluid mechanics on her follow-through. Autumn finished layups comfortably with both hands, fired rocket passes to open teammates, and used a quick wrap-around dribble to score a left-handed scoop layup. Her dribbling is fast-paced. During the scrimmages, Autumn deflected passes, buried a smooth corner three, dropped in a soft floater off the dribble, and moved to space--scoring a back-cut layup. Her quick crossovers, shooting efficiency, passing precision, and finishing at the rim paced the group.     Uriyah was active and showed off her playmaking skills at [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] practice. She's a shifty dribbler who had some of the quickest crossovers. Uriyah turned up the heat with her defensive ball pressure to create turnovers and scored an athletic contested layup off two feet during the scrimmages. She finished layups with both hands and knocked down outside shots. Uriyah plays in another gear and will be an exciting point guard to watch this spring.     Nyla made a great impression at [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] practice and was one of the top forwards on the floor. She gave teammates verbal cues during shooting drills by calling for the ball, and pushed herself to the limit during drills. During games, Nyla separated herself. She kept her hands up to cause turnovers on defense, sealed defenders in the low post, snagged rebounds, and blocked shots. Nyla battled to score a strong offensive rebound put back and added a drop-step layup, soft off the glass.     Lauren has height and athleticism that make her an intriguing wing prospect. She has a high release on her follow-through and made shots from the mid-range and outside during shooting drills. Lauren finished layups well off the dribble with both hands during drills and exploded with a quick step to beat defenders for a left-handed layup during the 3 v. 2 segment. Lauren drove hard to the rim and finished an athletic reverse layup during the scrimmages. She converted two confident free throws at the line.     Brielle was one of the toughest players at [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] Practice. Her rebounding, hustle, and finishing inside were among the best. Brielle was a force during the scrimmages. She hustled to save loose balls, scored layups with both hands off two feet, and secured offensive rebounds. Brielle knocked down two free throws and scored an offensive rebound put-back. She did a good job of passing the ball out to teammates when her shots weren't open. I described Brielle as having a "high motor" and her relentless style is exactly what coaches like to see.     Maleah is an athletic lefty guard who was a top prospect at [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] practice. She knocked down confident, smooth jumpers with a quick 1-2 step from the mid-range and outside. Maleeah converted layups with both hands and transferred the ball quickly to get the ball away. She kept her eyes up and dribbled the ball with strong, low crossovers in a powerful stance. Maleah swished threes from different spots during the Olympic shooting drill and finished contested layups off two during the scrimmages. She buried a three in transition, swiped the ball away to score a transition layup, converted free throws, and caused fouls with quick drives to the basket. One of Maleeah's best plays was when she used a shifty crossover spin dribble to beat her defender and then transferred the ball smoothly to her right hand to score the layup.     Kassandra is a long and versatile wing who had a solid day at [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] practice. You don't always have to be flashy or ball-dominant to be an impressive prospect, and I liked how she played on the court. Kassandra finished layups well with both hands, knocked down elbow jumpers, and was very accurate from the wing during shooting drills. She actively communicated with teammates on the court and was one of the hardest-working defenders on the floor. Kassandra jumped up to cause deflections on defense and chased down loose balls going out of bounds. She snagged several steals, blocked multiple shots, and made a great extra pass on her drive.     Cevanna is a long and quick player who showed her versatility at [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] practice. She finished layups with good speed during the 3-man weave drill and knocked down a smooth wing jumper during the Olympic shooting drill. Cevanna was one of the most aggressive and determined offensive rebounders during the scrimmages. She came flying in from the perimeter, shot out of a cannon to grab an offensive board, and forced steals on defense.     Catheryn made plays on both ends that showed her potential at [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] practice. She buried a corner 3 on a kickout during the 3 v. 2 segment and made an aggressive block on defense. Catheryn was very accurate shooting jumpers from the free throw line as she swished multiple shots during the Olympic shooting drill.     Imani is an athletic guard with a burst when she drives to the basket. Imani finished layups effectively during the 3-man weave drill and knocked down mid-range jumpers during the Olympic shooting drill. One of her highlights from the scrimmages was when Imani grabbed a steal and drained a wing 3 in transition. She caused another steal with her pressure and pushed the ball with pace to score a fast-break layup.

Last Thursday, I journeyed to Wayne for Team Synergy practice. Seeing new prospects for the first time is always exciting, so I was thrilled to watch and talk to the students in their program. Program Director Deena Pringle and her coaching staff designed a jam-packed practice that included passing, ball-handling, finishing, shooting, and 3 v 2 drills. The girls also competed in short games, which gave me ample opportunities to evaluate how the players performed fundamental skills individually and in a game setting. The girls pushed themselves hard throughout practice, were respectful of their coaches by responding "Yes Coach", enthusiastically clapped on the baselines/sidelines, and verbally communicated with each other.