Rising Stars: Oakland Mills and Washington High Talent

I was capable of finding a game or two today and what a surprise it was. Oakland Mils hosted today's scrimmage against West Virginia's Washington High School. I have been hearing good things about Oakland Mills senior players. They include <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/adey-alexander/">[player_tooltip player_id='691978' first='Adey' last='Alexander']</a>. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jeriah-shipp/">[player_tooltip player_id='691974' first='Jeriah' last='Shipp']</a> is another talented player. There's also <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/alia-west/">[player_tooltip player_id='691973' first='Alia' last='West']</a> and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/chloe-grenway-2/">[player_tooltip player_id='620771' first='Chloe' last='Grenway']</a>. So I decided to see for myself. The Scorpions are lead by their floor general [player_tooltip player_id='691978' first='Adey' last='Alexander'] who can score at all levels. Jeriah & Alia have are college sized players with similar styles of play. [player_tooltip player_id='691973' first='Alia' last='West'] is their knockdown shooter who prefers either corner.   Their opponents from West Virginia featured two emerging talents who made an immediate impression. It didn't take long to see that Natalia Holmes can manage the moment. The sophomore showed poise under pressure. She effectively managed Oakland Mills' defensive intensity in both games. She efficiently ran the offense and made smart decisions.   She was paired with a strong presence inside. This presence was Sheridan Itobi, a 6'2" freshman. Sheridan already carries herself like an upperclassman. In our post-game conversation, she towered over me, and her on-court play matched that physical profile. She showed a soft touch from the free-throw line area and held her ground well in the paint.   What stood out most was how mature both players appeared in the flow of the game. Their poise, decision-making, and understanding of their roles made it easy to forget just how young they are. It's clear they have significant upside as they continue to develop.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Oakland Mills Unsigned Prospects:</h2>   Oakland Mills is loaded with talent of upperclassman ready for the season to start. Adey seemed to be their primary ball handler. Yet, their core four have the ability to run the break. I was impressed with Jeriah's ability to grab the rebound and start the break under control. Her size brings intimidation to any defender, once she goes downhill. Chloe understands how to stay wide in transition. She will quietly gets to her deep corner spot. She waits for her teammates to drive and kick. Alia is an all-around player. She did more damage in the half-court setting. She is capable of breaking her defender down. She can get to the basket at will.   Oakland Mills' second game featured a dominant third-quarter run that turned the tide in their favor. The team went on an 18–5 streak, fueled by sharp shooting from the perimeter. Adey and Chloe each contributed two three-pointers. They helped the squad convert four of six attempts from deep. This asserted control of the game.   Inside, Jeriah and Alia provided the balance. They combined for six points in the paint. This kept the pressure on the defense. With this blend of outside shooting and interior production, Oakland Mills continues to demonstrate their strong position. They are one of the favorites to contend for their conference title.    Adey appeared to be ready for the season to start. Her ball handling was on full show during today's scrimmage. The senior stayed poised in both games handling the full court pressure. Once past half court, Adey can score at any level. She was left open a few times at the top of the key and she calmly made her opponent pay. Take away her space and she is capable of using her length and skill to get to the rim. Defensively, she did not stop talking to her teammates as I heard it from the stands. Her height will allow her to guard positions 1-3.     Jeriah continues to be a matchup problem, especially in the half-court. She uses her size well, sealing off defenders once she gets inside and finishing consistently at the rim. She had a standout moment today. It came on a defensive rebound. She pushed the ball the length of the floor and challenged anyone to step in front. No one did, and she finished it with confidence.   Her versatility adds another layer to her impact. She can play and guard all five positions. She brings a level of energy and adaptability. This elevates the entire lineup. Oakland Mills benefits every time she's on the floor.     Alia continues to show how valuable her versatility is. In the half-court, she uses her size and strength to carve out space. She shields off defenders and finishes through contact with ease.   Her ability to play all five positions gives Oakland Mills flexibility on both ends. Her defensive skills contribute to this flexibility. Her energy sets the tone for the group. She also remains one of the key pieces driving their early success.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Young Rising Talent:</h2>   Washington High School has something brewing by the names of Natalia Holmes and Sheridan Itobi. Natalia is a small point guard who plays like she's six feet. I watched her play two games to only came out twice. Washington's offense starts with her ball handling and smart in game decisions. All were on full show today. She managed to slice and dice Oakland Mills back court. She found her open teammates with many on-the-dribble left-handed passes. Sheridan a freshman, had the ability and wherewithal to find her spots within the offense. At a young age, she never seemed rattled and did not shy away from grabbing every rebound in her reach.    Natalia Holmes is the type of player who makes the trip to West Virginia worthwhile. She is a smooth, shifty lefty. She gets to her spots with ease. Whether launching a pull-up jumper or threading a precise one-handed pass, she consistently delivers it at the perfect moment. Her precision ensures that it reaches an open teammate. In today's scrimmage, it was clear from the start that the offense flows through her decisions. She handled that responsibility with composure beyond her age.   The point guard stayed poised in every situation, never rushing, never appearing rattled, and never abandoning a play while taking on the challenge of guarding the opposing point guard. She showed both effort and discipline on the defensive end. She sets the tone for her group, and it shows.     Sheridan's defensive presence stood out right away. Positioned at the top of Washington's full-court press, she set the tone with quick, disciplined footwork. Her approach was composed — she didn't gamble or reach, instead forcing opponents into their own mistakes. That patience consistently put her in position to tip passes or come away with clean steals.   Her slim frame and balance give her the mobility to defend multiple positions in the open floor. She displays the same touch on offense. Inside the free-throw line, she finishes with control. As she refines how she uses her angles around the basket, she has the tools to become a difficult cover.

I was capable of finding a game or two today and what a surprise it was. Oakland Mils hosted today's scrimmage against West Virginia's Washington High School. I have been hearing good things about Oakland Mills senior players. They include Adey Alexander Adey Alexander 5'6" | PG Oakland Mills | 2026 State MD . Jeriah Shipp Jeriah Shipp 5'8" | SF/SG Oakland Mills | 2026 State MD is another talented player. There's also Alia West Alia West 5'9" | SF Oakland Mills | 2026 State MD and Chloe Grenway Chloe Grenway 5'7" | SG Oakland Mills | 2026 State MD . So I decided to see for myself. The Scorpions are lead by their floor general Adey Alexander Adey Alexander 5'6" | PG Oakland Mills | 2026 State MD who can score at all levels. Jeriah & Alia have are college sized players with similar styles of play. Alia West Alia West 5'9" | SF Oakland Mills | 2026 State MD is their knockdown shooter who prefers either corner.