Tip-Off Classic: Top Performers

As the High School girls’ basketball season comes to a wrap, the AAU travel season starts to get rolling.  I was able to attend a local Orlando event, the Tip-Off Classic.  In attendance where 4 teams from central Florida.  Here are a few kids that I consider to be the top performers from that event. <strong><img class="size-medium wp-image-390737 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/DESANDERS-TEAM-ALL-IN-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" />Qya’Nya Desanders</strong> 2026 5’7" PG Team All-In/Bartow Middle School The tall Desanders really showed a high level of confidence and IQ during the event.  She has the ability to knock down the outside three-point shot, along with aggressiveness to get to the basket finishing through contact.  The Point guard for Team All-In, showed much poise by distributing the ball, setting up the offense and controlling the tempo of the game. <strong>Ashley Knox</strong> 2026 5’8" PG Lady Knox/Burns Middle School Knox had 12 points versus Lady Infinity, and 5 rebounds.  She has active hands, while on defense, which caused many deflections, tipped passes and some blocked shots.  Also, she sometimes matched up versus a post player and showed quality defensive techniques by applying pressure to the post defender, not allowing the post entry pass.  She has the length and ability to get to the basket, finishing with the contact.  Look forward to seeing her play in the future. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="247241" first="Elenny" last="Batista"]</strong> 2023 5’4" SG 407 Elite/Winter Springs It’s good to see Batista on the floor competing.  She has dealt with some major injuries over the last few years, missing a big portion of her High School career.  She is able to get to the basket using various moves including a very nice step-over.  When not driving to the basket, she is able to step out for a mid-range or 3-point shot. <strong>Dakara Merthie</strong> 2026 5’5" SG Lady Knox Merthie shot the ball very well, with a smooth stroke that came out of her hand with technique and consistency.  She put herself in an open space on the court and was ready to shoot when she received the ball, which you do not see a lot in the middle school level.  Merthie was able to get to the basket, driving, using some nice dribbling moves to set up the defender. <strong>Emani Mccaskill</strong> 2027 5’4" SG Lady Infinity/Deland Middle School Mccaskill is a smooth young player that shows a lot of potential.  She is able to get to the basket using both hands to finish.  She is very fast and quick on defensive end of the court.  She shows much aggression while defending on the ball.    Another young player that I’m looking forward to seeing in the upcoming travel season. <strong><img class="size-medium wp-image-390732 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/MALDANADO-SEABRING-2025-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" />Adriana Maldanado</strong> 2025 5’7" SF Seabring High School Maldanado showed some nice moves with her back to the basket.  She was able to get to the free throw line while being fouled, when getting the ball in the mid-post and in the post.   She was also able to step out to hit the mid-range and three-point shot. <strong>Taneya Wright</strong> 2024 5'7" SG Apopka Wright is a very aggressive player that was able to consistently get to the basket throughout.  She finished with various moves at the basket, using both hands.  She helped bring the basketball up the court, controlling the tempo of the game and making passes, setting up her teammates for shots. Luke Zbynski is the Orlando Area Writer.  Any story ideas or general basketball information, contact him at zbynskiprephoops@gmail.com and follow-on twitter @zbynskiprephoop. &nbsp;