CIF SS Open Division Preview: Rising Prospects in Pool A

This year's open division includes the usual suspect as well as newcomers looking to pull off a few upset victories. There is a depth of talent across all teams, with a few that are peaking at the right time. Let's dive into who we've been seeing raising their stock.    Dani is an elite-level shooter with range from the mid-range to well beyond the three-point line. She excels coming off screens, consistently getting her feet set and staying shot-ready, while also showing the ability to attack late closeouts when defenders overcommit.   Defensively, she is one of the top on-ball defenders in Southern California, combining athleticism with a high basketball IQ to impact every area of the floor. In transition, she walls up without fouling, beats opponents to their spots, and uses her length to contest and deflect shots.   In the half court, she stands out for her anticipation and communication—calling out actions before they develop and closing out with precision on help rotations.     Chloe is an excellent transition scorer who plays with poise and control, knowing when to change speeds and when to turn on the jets to create advantages in the open floor. She consistently finds the right moments to attack, making her a reliable source of momentum for her team.   In the half court, she operates as a lethal secondary playmaker. She thrives attacking closeouts and mismatches, helping pull her team out of offensive lulls while creating easy scoring opportunities for teammates with smart, timely decisions.   Defensively, she is truly versatile, capable of guarding all five positions. She has embraced this role for a team that plays small—battling bigs in the post, then seamlessly switching onto guards in pick-and-roll and dribble handoff actions to disrupt plays.     Addison is a dynamic big guard with a rare blend of speed and strength that makes her a matchup problem in the open floor. As a high-level transition playmaker, she is difficult to contain—too powerful for smaller guards and too quick for bigger defenders, consistently creating advantages in the open court.   She is also a strong rebounder with quick-twitch explosiveness, allowing her to rise above traffic and either ignite fast-break opportunities or generate second-chance points on the offensive end.   In the half court, she is comfortable flowing from an initial crossover or jab step into a physical post-up, backing down guards and creating high-percentage looks.     Rosie is a true pass-first guard who elevates everyone around her, consistently controlling the game with her vision and feel. She is at her best in the pick-and-roll, where she displays an elite blend of patience and aggression to manipulate defenders and create optimal looks for her teammates.   As the season has progressed, she has grown into a more confident and efficient scorer. She uses her high basketball IQ to finish at the rim and punishes defenders who go under screens with a reliable three-point shot, forcing defenses to play her honestly.   With her evolving offensive arsenal and elite playmaking instincts, she is now a complete floor general and a difficult matchup for any defense.     The long, athletic forward is a constant threat in transition, covering the floor with exceptional speed and tracking the ball to make tough catches or grab rebounds before taking off down the court. Her ability to turn defensive opportunities into quick scoring chances makes her a key weapon in the open floor.   She is steadily expanding her offensive arsenal, showing increasing comfort with her outside jump shot. She can knock down catch-and-shoot threes and is improving her ability to create off the dribble, forcing defenders to respect her range.   In the half court, her creativity with the ball is growing as well. She has added a variety of secondary moves that make her difficult to contain inside the three-point line, combining a dynamic handle with crafty finishes to keep defenders off balance.

This year's open division includes the usual suspect as well as newcomers looking to pull off a few upset victories. There is a depth of talent across all teams, with a few that are peaking at the right time. Let's dive into who we've been seeing raising their stock.