Hope Showcase Day 3 Standouts Pt. II

Kaleena Smith

David Yapkowitz

October 11, 2023 @ 03:30 PM

This past weekend, Cypress College played host to the annual Hope Showcase. The event always features some of the top teams in California as well as some out of state teams as well. I was able to attend the event on the final day, Sunday Oct. 8 and I focused on the CA teams only. Here's a quick look at some of the standouts I saw. 1. [player_tooltip player_id='773677' first='Kaleena' last='Smith'] - Ontario Christian 2027 Smith is one of the most dynamic guards in the state regardless of class. I saw her play over the summer on her club team and this was the first time I got to see her play in a high school setting. She's small but strong and effective. Finishes at the basket through contact. A good ball-handler who has nice crossover. Can shoot with the defender in space. She knows when to push the pace and when to slow the tempo. 2. [player_tooltip player_id='390507' first='Brooklyn' last='Taylor'] - Long Beach Poly 2024 Taylor is an effective big who can play both forward and center. What impresses me the most is her little turnaround jumper in the paint. Also, her rebounding ability, boxing out and being strong on the glass. Defensively, she contests everything in the paint. Good decision maker who only needs 1-2 dribbles to either pass or shoot. Able to play with her back to the basket. 3. Mykelle Richards - Etiwanda 2024 Richards is one of the best defensive players I've seen. Able to single-handedly blow up possessions with her defense. Uses her speed and length to cover ground defensively. Sprints back in transition to stop fast breaks. She's aware of the ball and the player she's guarding. A strong on ball defender and a good help defender. 4. [player_tooltip player_id='566438' first='Cyriah' last='Coleman'] - Bishop Montgomery 2024 Coleman is another player I've seen over the summer play with her club team and this was a good opportunity for me to see her play with her high school team. She always stands out defensively. Good on ball defense forcing the ball-handler into difficult shots/passes. Offensively she's a consistent shooter from three and from midrange. Able to play both guard positions.

This past weekend, Cypress College played host to the annual Hope Showcase. The event always features some of the top teams in California as well as some out of state teams as well. I was able to attend the event on the final day, Sunday Oct. 8 and I focused on the CA teams only. Here's a quick look at some of the standouts I saw.

1. Kaleena Smith Kaleena Smith 5'6" | PG Ontario Christian | 2027 State CA - Ontario Christian 2027

Smith is one of the most dynamic guards in the state regardless of class. I saw her play over the summer on her club team and this was the first time I got to see her play in a high school setting. She's small but strong and effective. Finishes at the basket through contact. A good ball-handler who has nice crossover. Can shoot with the defender in space. She knows when to push the pace and when to slow the tempo.

2. Brooklyn Taylor Brooklyn Taylor 6'0" | PF Long Beach Poly | 2024 State CA - Long Beach Poly 2024

Taylor is an effective big who can play both forward and center. What impresses me the most is her little turnaround jumper in the paint. Also, her rebounding ability, boxing out and being strong on the glass. Defensively, she contests everything in the paint. Good decision maker who only needs 1-2 dribbles to either pass or shoot. Able to play with her back to the basket.

3. Mykelle Richards - Etiwanda 2024

Richards is one of the best defensive players I've seen. Able to single-handedly blow up possessions with her defense. Uses her speed and length to cover ground defensively. Sprints back in transition to stop fast breaks. She's aware of the ball and the player she's guarding. A strong on ball defender and a good help defender.

4. Cyriah Coleman Cyriah Coleman 5'7" | CG Bishop Montgomery | 2024 State CA - Bishop Montgomery 2024

Coleman is another player I've seen over the summer play with her club team and this was a good opportunity for me to see her play with her high school team. She always stands out defensively. Good on ball defense forcing the ball-handler into difficult shots/passes. Offensively she's a consistent shooter from three and from midrange. Able to play both guard positions.