FL Freshman Showcase: Team 1 Analysis

The PGH Florida Freshman Showcase brought nearly 90 of the top young players from across Florida together Sunday at Seminole Sports Academy in Longwood. The four-hour event featured players from the Panhandle to South Florida competing against one another while learning from eight college coaches representing the D2, NAIA, and JUCO levels.   The morning started with 3v3 action to get players warmed up before moving into 5v5 competition. With a very strong group of freshmen in the gym, the showcase provided an early look at players who could make an impact at the high school level and beyond. Here is some analysis on Team 1 who I covered as a team with some really strong guard-play:    Cici showed a strong ability to score in a variety of ways throughout the day. She finished well in transition and knocked down the three-ball when given space, especially when her defender lost her in the corner. Her pull-up around the free throw line was effective while she also flashed a long floater and a left-handed scoop finish through contact for an and-one. She showed good vision as well with a nice pass to a back cutter. Cici is already a varsity contributor, and that was very noticeable when she faced kids her own age and made a strong impression.     Brooklynn brought a shifty game and showed an ability to change speeds while pushing the pace in transition. She gets good elevation on her jumper and does a nice job being active defensively. She showed impressive anticipation by jumping a passing lane and turning the steal into transition points. Brooklynn was easily one of my favorite players to watch in the entire gym with her skillset and competitive nature.     Callie was effective getting into the paint and using her physicality around the rim. She showed good control with one-hand finishes and did a nice job creating space through contact for an and-one in the lane. A shot fake followed by a step-through was another example of her ability to use her footwork to create an advantage. Callie is a name familiar to many, and she showed just why in Longwood.     Bryanna showed a willingness to attack the basket and make plays on both ends. She had a strong take to the rim and came up with a big block in transition on the other end. Bry does a good job getting to two feet on her drives and showed plenty of activity around the glass by keeping the ball alive and crashing for offensive boards. Her athleticism and body control impressed throughout the event.     Keisha was one of the more active players on the defensive end of the ball. She pressured the ball, poked it away for steals, and consistently created disruption in passing lanes. Offensively, she showed a quick first step and attacked decisively, including a shot-fake into a quick drive for an and-one. She also knocked down a three and ran the floor well in transition with her speed. Definitely one of the most exciting Freshman in the entire state of Florida.     Justice showed good instincts as a scorer and playmaker. She used shot fakes to get defenders moving before attacking the baseline or getting downhill for a layup. She also showed a reliable runner in the lane and made precise passes in transition. Her ability to elevate and meet the ball on catches stood out as well.     Laurel played with a high motor and stayed active around the ball throughout the game. She showed a good handle with some shiftiness when attacking and displayed good court vision when the floor opened up. Her willingness to compete and always find herself near the ball stood out.     Londyn used her length effectively on both ends. She showed good patience with a shot fake before using a side-step to create a clean look for a close-range bucket. She also found success scoring in the paint and used her frame to make herself difficult to defend around the rim.

The PGH Florida Freshman Showcase brought nearly 90 of the top young players from across Florida together Sunday at Seminole Sports Academy in Longwood. The four-hour event featured players from the Panhandle to South Florida competing against one another while learning from eight college coaches representing the D2, NAIA, and JUCO levels.