The Florida Expo: Team 8 Evaluation

In this article we look at Team 8. This team combined power and polish, and was one of the top teams in the building. [player_tooltip player_id='633529' first='Mia' last='Chandler'] anchored the interior as a two way force and was without question the most physical prospect at the showcase. [player_tooltip player_id='1221020' first='Alba' last='Lemuna'] complimented Chandler's force with one of the most versatile games in the building. She mixed it up in the paint, shined in the midrange, and was efficient from behind the arc. Rounding out the impressive front court is [player_tooltip player_id='1276740' first='Faith' last='Thompson'], who added rim protection, versatility, and hit the boards.   The guard play on team 8 was special with [player_tooltip player_id='514627' first='Yamise' last='Haygood'], [player_tooltip player_id='743520' first='Kimora' last='Green'], [player_tooltip player_id='755318' first='Omaria' last='Sterling'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1322182' first='Josefina' last='Piacenza']. Haygood created havoc and scored with creativity; Piacenza was the consummate floor general with poise and consistency; and Green was the team's spark plug with her hustle, athleticism, and versatile play. [player_tooltip player_id='755318' first='Omaria' last='Sterling'] chimed in with contagious defense and effort on the floor. Team 8 displayed effort, rebounding, scoring and dominance and was one of the top teams put together.    [player_tooltip player_id='755318' first='Omaria' last='Sterling'] played well on the defensive end and showed that she could mix it up against taller and more physical players. Sterling ran the floor well and did a god job as a physical defender who played on the ball and created havoc when applying pressure on the ball . Sterling also did the little things well -sets solid screens, boxed out, and communicated on defense.     [player_tooltip player_id='514627' first='Yamise' last='Haygood'] was one of the more two way players. For three years she has been one of the top ball thieves in the State of Florida. Haygood has some serious body control and it's evident in the open court. She can hang in the air, contort her body at various angles, take the hit, and still conver my the shot. Defensively, Haygood is a “playmaker.” She has the ability to track the ball like a “safety”, plays the passing lanes, and can also rip the handler. Her offense was really special and showed the work she has put into her craft. Haygood's short midrange jumper was on point and getting downhill was also impressive. Haygood put everyone on notice - she has the ability to not only defend, but can run the floor, and consistently score the ball.     [player_tooltip player_id='743520' first='Kimora' last='Green'] was a high-motor guard who brought who brought constant energy and toughness to Team 8. Green played with heart on every possession — diving for loose balls, crashing the boards, and defending with intensity. She used her athletic frame to attack downhill and finish through contact, and on defense her strength allowed her to guard bigger players inside while still switching onto wings. Offensively, Green showed confidence facing up and hitting mid-range shots, but her greatest impact came from her effort and her presence.     [player_tooltip player_id='1322182' first='Josefina' last='Piacenza'] was smooth and poised and displayed a versatile and all around guard. Piacenza shot the ball with great efficiency from behind the arc and also in the mid-range. Her basketball IQ was on display as she consistently made the right play whole under control. Piacenza was a play maker who attacked gaps confidently, finished at the rim with control, and has a knack for slipping behind defenders. Off the ball, she stays engaged and ready to shoot or make the next pass.       [player_tooltip player_id='1276740' first='Faith' last='Thompson'] showed high-level potential as she impressed throughout the day. Her skillset was on full display during the 3 x 3 play. There you saw the athleticism, the ability to handle, and the versatility in her game. Her midrange game was money and she was a ball of energy on the offensive glass. Defensively, she displayed excellent timing on blocking shots and could defend in the paint and on the perimeter. Thompson was a quiet assassin on the floor and she is primed for a breakout Junior season.       [player_tooltip player_id='1221020' first='Alba' last='Lemuna'] was very skilled and one of the most dominant and versatile players at the Expo. At times she physically imposed her will on weaker defenders. She had the ability to drain threes at a very high level- in transition and in offense settings. Lemuna's touch around the rim was elite and she finished with the left and the right hand. well. Her midrange jumper was potent as well and basically proved she was unguardable. She defended on the perimeter and was a beast in the paint and was an excellent rebounder, especially on the offensive end. Lemuna was in the discussion for top player in the building.       [player_tooltip player_id='633529' first='Mia' last='Chandler'] was the most physically dominant players in the gym and at times she was in full game physicality mode. So much so, that she inspired the opponents “to reciprocate the physical play” or get embarrassed in a room full of spectators and college coaches. Chandler controlled the glass, ran the floor extremely well for her position, and played with purpose, intensity, and toughness on the floor on every possession. She also impressed on the floor: Her offensive game was very good as usual in the paint and she even sprinkled in her improved outside shooting from the four position to go with her inside presence. Chandler showed exceptional passing skills at the Expo: she initiated offense and hit a cutting player at the rim and lead the break, drew a defender and delivered a dime to a teammate for the bucket. Chandler's physicality, motor, ball IQ, versatility, and her ability to set the temperature in the room were impressive.

In this article we look at Team 8. This team combined power and polish, and was one of the top teams in the building. Mia Chandler Mia Chandler 6'0" | PF San Jose Prep | 2026 State FL anchored the interior as a two way force and was without question the most physical prospect at the showcase. Alba Lemuna Alba Lemuna 5'10" | SF Academy Of Central Florida | 2027 State FL complimented Chandler's force with one of the most versatile games in the building. She mixed it up in the paint, shined in the midrange, and was efficient from behind the arc. Rounding out the impressive front court is Faith Thompson Faith Thompson 5'8" Winter Haven Senior High School | 2027 FL , who added rim protection, versatility, and hit the boards.