The Highest Platform SkillCase Standouts Pt 2

SkillCase Skills Showcase by Highest Platform is a unique showcase that provides immense value to both the athletes and the college coaches in attendance. The organization and planning of Director William Jones cultivated an experience that set a precedent for how events should be done. Here are some key takeaways from Coach Jones:   College coaches need you to be able to do things that can help the team win, in ways without the basketball.   In terms of improving your shooting, it's a matter of your approach. The goal in your workouts is NOT to "get up 500 shots"; but to take ONE shot, correctly, 500 TIMES.   Everyone has heard of someone having a "deep bag", in terms of offense; I want a prospect with a defense bag; a pivoting and footwork bag; a rebounding bag; etc. skills without the ball.   If you can't do it full speed, you can't do it. So, WORK ON IT, full speed, to get there.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/08/20250825_170500-crop-1080x710-1756226368.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1308692" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">SkillCase, August 24th, 2025.</figcaption></figure>   SkillCase challenged the girls in every essential fundamental skill area that is necessary to succeed as a college basketball player. The complexity and fast pace of the drills created an environment where college coaches could evaluate cognitive understanding and fundamental skills. The NAIA and JUCO college coaches in attendance received a comprehensive recruiting packet. Prospects wore numbered shirts, which made it easier for college coaches to identify and evaluate the prospects. This showcase provided the girls with an opportunity to showcase their recruitable qualities and receive maximum ball touches. As a scout, I felt that the event enabled me to make a thorough evaluation of the prospects by the end of the day. I will continue to support SkillCase every year, as I believe the girls gain great value from the experience. Here are six prospects who separated themselves during the skill segments and 5v5 games on Sunday.    Sophia has clearly put in the hard work to prepare herself physically and fundamentally to succeed at the next level--she separated herself as a top prospect in the gym at SkillCase. Sophia paced the group during stationary dribble splits by pushing herself to the limits. Her ball speed, control, footwork, and effort set the standard. Sophia's full-court pushout dribbles and behind-the-back snaps were quick and precise. She sprinted hard up the court during three lane rush into a jump stop and finished layups off two under control with both hands. During 1v1, Sophia changed directions with a quick crossover dribble, spun, switched hands, and finished off the layup two feet. She landed in a jump stop, spun, and kissed a left-handed layup high off the glass for the tough bucket. Sophia buried mid-range and three-point jumpers at a high rate during the shooting drills. In games, she made plays all over the court. Sophia was a sniper from beyond the arc. She buried a triple in the slot off the dribble, another from the wing, and two more from volleyball line distance. Sophia attacked down the baseline with a burst, spun, changed hands, and finished the acrobatic layup. She chased down rebounds, created steals, and handled the ball confidently with both hands. Sophia looks ready to soar for the Jets this winter.     Vanessa is a guard I was eager to see for the first time at SkillCase, and I believe she's going to be a difference maker right away for Kingston this winter. Vanessa was singled out by her coaches, former college players, as a girl who impressed them. Her determined effort throughout the day and focus during drills was a separator--her full court pushout dribbles were among the best. Vanessa has solid fundamentals and she had no problem penetrating gaps with her dribble. Vanessa attacked downhill to score a layup and absorbed contact to finish another tough layup off the dribble. She grabbed rebounds, worked hard on defense, and made good passes to teammates. Vanessa is a prospect I'm excited to watch again at the Freshman Showcase.     It didn't take long for me to start asking "who is that kid?" Lyla made an immediate impression during the stationary dribbling drills with her ball speed, control, footwork, and effort. Lyla has excellent finishing control, which showed up during three lane rush as she converted two full speed layups with her left hand off two feet. During 1v1, Lyla showed a second gear, blowing by a defender to score a scoop layup. She knocked down jumpers from two and three-point distance during the drills. In games, Lyla's hard work and quick feet on defense closed driving lanes. She showed off her hops and climbed the ladder to score a layup. Lyla used shifty inside-out dribbles to create separation, and completed an explosive drive with a contested finish off two feet. Lyla avoided a defender using a fancy euro-step move to cause a foul. Eisenhower is adding another playmaker to their program this winter and I'm excited to see her again at the Freshman Showcase.     Ella had a memorable day at SkillCase. She knocked down many jumpers from mid-range and three-point spots during drills. Ella was one of the best during the tip-rebounding drill. In games, she swiped the ball away on defense and attacked down the baseline with a burst to score a tough layup off the glass. Ella drained a corner three and penetrated gaps with a burst to score several layups, finishing well with both hands at full speed. Ella pushed the ball in transition with pace, put her trailing defender in jail, then added an exclamation point with an and-one layup off two feet. She made another highlight reel worthy play, scoring a silky smooth high-pickup layup with her left after creating space with a crossover dribble. Ella is on the right path to becoming a targeted guard prospect and her hard work is going to show up in a big way for Brandon this winter.     Scarlett is a versatile wing/forward from Southgate who has athleticism, length, and skills that make her a promising prospect. She provided plenty of supporting evidence at SkillCase. Scarlett knocked down mid-range jumpers at a high rate during the shooting drills and was one of the best in the group during the tip-rebounding drill. During 1v1, she drove hard into a jump stop, used an excellent pivot, and finished off two feet. Scarlett demonstrated leadership by communicating and directing others during the Star passing drill. In games, Scarlett muscled her way into position for an offensive rebound and finished the put back. She's a competitor and will be a prospect to pay attention to this winter.     Laila is an incoming freshman who looks ready to have a very productive high school career at Henry Ford. Her length, high-motor style, and effort on both ends of the court will make her a stat stuffer. Laila worked hard to secure rebounds. She grabbed an offensive board and fired a zip pass to an open teammate on the perimeter. Laila prevented turnovers by meeting passes in the air and she caused deflections by keeping her arms active on defense. Laila scored an offensive rebound put back off two feet and finished a tough layup off the glass despite hard contact. She made smart kickout passes off drives and is a forward prospect with a bright future ahead of her.

SkillCase Skills Showcase by Highest Platform is a unique showcase that provides immense value to both the athletes and the college coaches in attendance. The organization and planning of Director William Jones cultivated an experience that set a precedent for how events should be done. Here are some key takeaways from Coach Jones: