Team Synergy Practice: 2028s and 2027s

Thursday, April 9th, 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, respected 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 2028 and 2027 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">2028s</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/05/PXL_20250410_005618454-crop-3226x2118-1746187165.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1241175" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Coach Reynolds, V. Hairston, J. Matsey, S. Sweet, Coach Yaya.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027s</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/05/PXL_20250410_005554744.MP_-crop-3226x2118-1746194224.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1241230" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A. Golden, M. Pringle, C. Bates, A. Garcia, M. Clark, S. Brooks, Coach Isaiah. </figcaption></figure>    Juelle is an athletic guard who showed her impact on both ends at [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] practice. She made a great adjustment to snag an off-target pass running full speed to the basket, then scored the layup. Juelle made quick passes to teammates and was one of the most explosive finishers off the dribble. She kept a low and athletic stance during dribble walk-outs. During the scrimmage, Juelle created separation from defenders with her fast crossovers, drained a wing 3, and was one of the most active defenders--pestering the ball to grab multiple steals. She handled the ball well with both hands and was an effective distributor.     Victoria was one of my favorite forwards to watch at [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] practice. During the games, she made great decisions with the ball and created open shots for teammates with her skip passes. Victoria split defenders with her hard downhill drive to score layups, forced the defense to foul, and used her athleticism to elevate for a contested layup off two feet. She worked hard to grab steals on defense and pursued rebounds.     Stella is a guard who showed her potential at [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] practice. She finished layups very well with her left hand throughout practice and knocked down elbow jumpers with balance during the drills. Stella drained a baseline jumper after an inside-out between-the-legs dribble combination and finished an impressive left-handed layup after a between-the-legs, behind-the-back crossover move. Stella encouraged teammates by giving them high-fives and hustled to save a loose ball.     Ays'Ja was a guard who impressed me greatly at [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] Practice. She was one of the best performers on the court and highly engaged during the Q&A. Ays'Ja is a very mature and sharp young lady with a confident, yet humble demeanor. She drove with an explosive burst past defenders and transferred the ball quickly to her left hand to score layups. Ays'Ja drained multiple mid-range jumpers with a high arc during the shooting drills. She adjusted to catch an off-target pass and converted the layup. Ays'Ja was one of the best full-speed combination dribble finishers during a drill. She blocked a shot in the paint, used a hesitation dribble to freeze a defender, and then blew by to score a contested layup. During the games, Ays'Ja put her foot down and drove baseline with a burst to score a contested layup. She penetrated gaps and got downhill in a hurry.     Mariah showed athleticism and skill at [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] practice that make her an intriguing prospect. She finished layups well with both hands in drills and the games. Mariah was active on the boards and did a great job of gaining the inside position to secure rebounds. She blew by defenders using a shifty crossover spin dribble and finished the contested layup. Mariah made a nice entry pass over the defense and pivoted to kick the ball out to a shooter on the perimeter. She secured an offensive rebound and scored off two feet using a fancy high pick-up move. Mariah added an authoritative left-handed and-one layup after beating her defender with a crossover.     Callie had the look of a true shooter at [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] practice. She caught the ball with balance, ready to fire. Callie drained confident triples from up top and on the wing with a quick release during the games. She communicated actively with her teammates on the court and knocked down several jumpers from different spots during drills.     Ashley proved right from the start of practice that she came to play. She had the fastest feet during the warmup line jumps and great balance on one foot--she paced the group during sprints. Ashley had one of the purest jumpers and swished several mid-range jumpers with a smooth follow-through during the Olympic shooting drill. She had a tight handle and was one of the best during the combination dribble finishing station. Ashley pounded the ball with strong dribbles and low crossovers during dribble walkouts. She faked out her defender, then used a quick crossover to create space and bury a wing three during the game. Ashley has skills and work ethic that make her a promising point guard prospect at the next level.     Malia had moments that showed her potential at [program_tooltip program_id='944011' first='Team' last='Synergy'] practice. She finished well off two feet and converted layups confidently with both hands. During the games, Malia sealed her defender to score a strong and one, closed out quickly to block a shot attempt, and added a deep corner two.     Savannah competed hard throughout practice--she's an athletic guard with great potential. Savannah knocked down several mid-range jumpers from different spots during the shooting drills. She showed her toughness and determination by leading the team during sprints. Savannah only knows one speed--top gear. She scored layups going full speed, threw strong passes, and showed a burst off the dribble. Savannah did the little things coaches love, like calling for the ball with both hands ready to shoot and verbally directing teammates on the court. Savannah had the fastest feet going through cones during the agility drill and fast, strong dribbles--she did not stop working hard. She blocked a shot and created turnovers with her scrappy defensive pressure.

Thursday, April 9th, 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, respected their coaches by responding "Yes Coach", enthusiastically clapped on the baselines/sidelines, and verbally communicated with each other.