How Good Will Zephryhills Christian Academy Be This Year?

I stopped in at Zephyrhills Christian Academy to check out a team practice and came away impressed with the group's energy, communication, and attention to detail. The practice was competitive with players showing a willingness to push the pace and challenge each other on both ends. They have a nice mixture of vets and youth as well as a mix of guards and size. I could see how strong their lineups will be and how much depth they will have from players 1 through 9. Several athletes stood out for their skill, effort, and potential as they continue to build chemistry heading into the season:    Lily is an exciting addition to the Florida prep scene as an intriguing prospect that comes from Mt. Zion Prep in Maryland. Her length and touch around the rim stood out throughout practice. She showed good footwork inside and finished with a soft hook over her left shoulder. Lily's ability to step out and consistently hit shots from 15 feet adds another layer to her game. She also protected the paint well and altered multiple shots defensively.     Ari displayed strong fundamentals and a steady presence during drills and live play. She delivered crisp one-handed passes to cutters and finished through contact with either hand. Her high release gives her jumper a clean look, and she battled for rebounds with effort. Ari's feel for the game and composure make her a reliable contributor on both ends.     Mila played with a calm, confident demeanor and showed smooth mechanics on her jumper. She scored efficiently off the pull-up and demonstrated good balance shooting off the glass. Her rhythm and control stood out during shooting segments and live reps. Mila's consistency with her shooting will give her value as a dependable scoring option for ZCA.     Gianna showed impressive versatility with her combination of size, skill, and effort. She hit shots from the baseline and beyond the arc while also cleaning up on the offensive glass. Her ability to guard multiple positions makes her a valuable piece in different lineups. With her frame and offensive range, Gianna's long-term potential is high.     Kaytee brought toughness and athleticism every possession. She finished several plays with her left hand through contact and didn't shy away from physical matchups. Her communication and energy were constant throughout practice. Kaytee's competitiveness and willingness to do the little things stood out.     Sanai's defensive activity and quickness made an immediate impact. She pressured the ball, disrupted passing lanes, and forced turnovers with her instincts. Offensively, she showed shiftiness and the ability to hit shots or finish runners off one foot. Her length and motor give her the tools to be a dynamic two-way guard.     Cali was not at practice for legitimate reasons, but she is already a well known player in the state and someone I've seen plenty of times. She's one of the top players in the area and the state that will bring some serious length, size, and rebounding to this squad. Her ability to stretch the floor and impact both sides of the court will be huge for ZCA.     Terricka brought strength and effort to every drill. She played through contact, attacked the lane with purpose, and showed good touch on her spin move finish. Defensively, she hustled for loose balls and created extra possessions for her team. Her physicality and effort were consistent themes throughout practice.     Zoe set the tone early with her speed and intensity at the point guard spot. She attacked defenders with quickness, created separation for her pull-up, and applied strong on-ball pressure defensively. Her energy lifted the tempo of the practice and kept her group engaged. Zoe's confidence and pace make her a catalyst for this team.

I stopped in at Zephyrhills Christian Academy to check out a team practice and came away impressed with the group's energy, communication, and attention to detail. The practice was competitive with players showing a willingness to push the pace and challenge each other on both ends. They have a nice mixture of vets and youth as well as a mix of guards and size. I could see how strong their lineups will be and how much depth they will have from players 1 through 9. Several athletes stood out for their skill, effort, and potential as they continue to build chemistry heading into the season: