Five New Faces To Know at Battle in the Cove

The first inaugural Battle in the Cove served as a strong introduction to several new faces I was able to see in person for the first time. The well run event and competitive environment made it easy to evaluate how players responded to pace, pressure, and meaningful moments. A number of prospects stood out by impacting the game in different ways and showing tools that translate beyond the box score. Below are evaluations of those players who made a clear first impression on Saturday at Port Charlotte High School:    Seve made a strong first impression as a point guard with an advanced feel and confidence for her age. She showed herself to be a strong passer with good handles, including a quick behind the back dribble to change direction and create space. Seve came up big late with a huge And-1 and consistently impacted the game while logging heavy minutes. What stood out most was her comfort level as she is only a 7th grader yet looked at home playing varsity minutes and running point for a team that is one of the best in SWFL and has big postseason goals.     Aleysha immediately stood out with her size and frame which are advanced for an 8th grader who has a high ceiling. She does a good job getting to two feet and playing with control, showing solid footwork that included a nice euro step. Defensively, her length and timing allow her to block shots and alter attempts around the rim. Aleysha also has a good stroke from the outside with smooth mechanics and can handle the ball, get downhill with strength, and finish at the rim.     Justine impressed with her strong frame and size while showing strong back to the basket skills. She scored effectively with spin moves and did a nice job using the glass which is a skill that often gets overlooked at the this level. On the defensive end, she played with active hands and competed on every possession. Justine also ran the floor well as a forward which consistently put pressure on the defense in transition.     Giada is a freshman shooter who made her mark with timely shot making and confident play. She knocked down a clutch three in a win and showed good footwork to get her feet set and ready to shoot. Giada played with good energy throughout the game and consistently spaced the floor for her team. She also showed the ability to create a bit of space off the dribble and get her shot off quickly, putting herself in the conversation as one of the top freshman shooters in the state.     Gigi showed confidence as a shooter by knocking down an impressive corner three and clearly playing with a green light. When attacking the rim, she displayed good touch and creativity by finishing off the opposite foot. Defensively, Gigi put pressure on the ball and competed every possession. She's only a 7th grader and is already earning significant varsity minutes and valuable reps which will only bode well for her development.

The first inaugural Battle in the Cove served as a strong introduction to several new faces I was able to see in person for the first time. The well run event and competitive environment made it easy to evaluate how players responded to pace, pressure, and meaningful moments. A number of prospects stood out by impacting the game in different ways and showing tools that translate beyond the box score. Below are evaluations of those players who made a clear first impression on Saturday at Port Charlotte High School: