CIF Southern Section Division 1 Players to Watch Pt. 3

The 2019-20 high school basketball regular season is underway. Most teams are all at holiday tournaments for the next month or so before league play begins in January. The Southern California area is full of talent and this season should be a good one. I’ll be looking at schools in the CIF Division 1 from the areas that I’ll be covering at various points this season and highlighting a few players to look out for. These players aren’t necessarily stars on the team. Some of them might be, but others are key cogs that will play an important role on the team’s success this year. Here’s a look at some more of those players. <strong>1. Rosemary Odebunmi – Sierra Canyon 2020</strong> Odebunmi is an incoming senior, and with the graduation of Amanda Olinger, she figures to have a big impact on the team this season. She is a tough player who isn’t afraid to do all the dirty work in the paint and contribute in ways that don’t always show up on a stat sheet. She can rebound well with great timing. She has the tools to be a strong defensive anchor. She is mobile and can run the floor in transition. Good finisher at the rim. <strong>2. Endigo Parker – Troy 2021</strong> Parker is an intriguing prospect who has a couple of Division 1 offers already. She is a talented post player who can get good position in the paint and make a strong move around the rim. She has good size and length defensively and she acts as an interior shot blocker and alters many more. She’s a bit versatile though in that she can step out and shoot a little bit from the midrange. Moves quickly on the court. <strong>3. Judea Watkins – Windward 2023</strong> An incoming freshman, Watkins has all the makings of being a potent scorer. Advanced moves offensively for a young player. She has a great first step and she utilizes hesitation moves to keep defenders off balance. She has good size and strength going against smaller defenders and she can get to the rim with ease. On the break, she can pull-up for jumper or go all the way to the rim. Considered the top player in the country for her class. <strong>4. Jailah Donald – Serra 2022</strong> Donald is one of the top up and coming point guards in the state. She is a solid floor leader with great court awareness and vision, everything you want in a lead guard. She is a great passer and is always looking for her teammates for easy buckets. She can score if needed to, she can shoot from the outside and she can get to the rim and finish. One of the top sophomores to watch this season. <strong>5. Anaya James – West Torrance 2021</strong> James is also a pretty solid playmaking guard. When running the break, she keeps her head up and is always looking ahead to see who is running with her. She’s a good facilitator in the half-court and can draw the defense to be able to find open teammates. She’s a good defender on the wings who reads the passing lanes well and uses her defense to start the fast break.