Columbia County: Prospects Under the Radar

In this article, we take a closer look at four prospects from Columbia County. Many have flown under the radar, but we had a chance to watch them this summer. As a group, they bring a good mix of talent: strong play at center and forward, guards who can penetrate and get to the rim, and several players who have received college offers from programs around the state.    [player_tooltip player_id='873449' first='Jahlaya' last='Wilson'] made great strides this summer. During the travel season, I saw her take a more active role in dictating the action, showing improved footwork and post moves as she finished with power around the basket. Wilson also showed touch in the midrange and knocked down a jumper from the top of the key. What stood out most was her decision-making and aggressiveness. Wilson received multiple offers over the summer and will likely receive more this upcoming season. This season, Wilson will play with tons of confidence, and with her ability to score, rebound, and defend, she has the potential to be a dominant player this season.     [player_tooltip player_id='873448' first='Erickah' last='Roberson'] played well during the travel season, in particular at the Inside Exposure Tournament in Alachua. Roberson's defense was the strongest part of her game. She pressured the ball, stayed alert in passing lanes, and created turnovers throughout the tournament. Offensively, she got to the rim and scored in the midrange, showing she could impact both ends of the floor. This summer, she also showed progress as a shooter by stepping up to threes and knocking them down. Roberson's ability to pass the ball to teammates cutting to the basket (or setting up for jumpers) was a huge improvement in her game. Her court vision was impressive, and combined with her other skills, she received a college offer and gained much interest from colleges. The scary part is that she has yet to reach her ceiling and will be a serious threat this upcoming season.     [player_tooltip player_id='804264' first='Ya'Zuri' last='Hollie'] has always been able to put the ball in the basket and can do so from multiple areas on the floor. Hollie can play several positions on the court and doesn't shy away from physicality. Hollie loves to get to the paint and score and can also pull up from the three-point line. She is a versatile player who still has room for improvement. If she increases her shooting percentage from the perimeter, she could be unstoppable and could lead her district in scoring.     [player_tooltip player_id='1858219' first='Reese' last='Todd'] showed athleticism and versatility with the size and strength to make an impact around the basket. She used her body well on rebounds and when bodied up against an opponent. The forward can put the ball on the floor and drive to the rim, and has an effective jumper from the top of the key. Todd also showed she could contribute defensively with her shot-blocking ability and quickness. Her combination of size, scoring touch, and defensive presence makes her one of the top prospects to watch this upcoming season.     Javiona Robinson brought a lot of energy to the courts on both ends of the floor. On offense, Roberson handled the ball very well and had the ability to get to the rim even against strong defense. Defensively, she was quick and could force turnovers. and had the ability to create scores in transition. As her game continues to improve, she is going to be an exciting player to watch. Playing the point guard position, she will need to balance her scoring with also getting teammates the ball and dishing to open teammates when she draws the double team.

In this article, we take a closer look at four prospects from Columbia County. Many have flown under the radar, but we had a chance to watch them this summer. As a group, they bring a good mix of talent: strong play at center and forward, guards who can penetrate and get to the rim, and several players who have received college offers from programs around the state.