Aila had a very impressive Top Five list including Georgia Tech, Oregan, Stanford, and Alabama before ultimately choosing new head coach Tammi Reiss and the Florida Gators on July 26th. Courtenay finished ranked 61st on the list and certainly would have found herself higher barring injury. During her time off, it seems as though something clicked or maybe, Aila is finally 100% healthy, but she is moving and playing as good or better than I can ever remember this summer and I coached against her when she was in middle school. I expect her to have a very productive senior season while leading St. Francis deep into the state tournament where they will play some other elite high school competition while trying to win a state championship. She should be able to dominate most of the players she will face on the interior offensively. She is a smooth finisher with both hands around the rim and understands/utilizes positioning very well on the block.

It was so good seeing Aila not only back playing, but looking as good as ever in the games I watched St Francis play over the course of three days at GBCA Live. Aila was easily one of the most dominant inside players on both ends of the floor amongst some other very talented post players hailing from the Peach State. She consistently put the ball in the basket every game for her team scoring 16 points, 12 points, 31 points, and 14 points in the four contests for an average of just over 18 points per game. Her team needed all 31 points in the very close 75-72 win over ultra talented Sandy Creek. Her point distribution was very well balanced as she scored 15 in the opening half followed by 16 huge points down the stretch to help secure the win, keep her team’s undefeated record, and continue on to the Leading Edge bracket championship. In the latest rankings I moved Aila back up to the top ten because I have been watching her since she was in middle school and I know she is a tough kid without a lot of perseverance. To see her come back on a mission after the ACL injury is not only security for the multitude of Power Four programs that have offered her, but should serve as inspiration to other young girls who suffer the same injury. Within the last month or so Courtenay has been offered or re-offered by the following schools: the University of Florida, University of Illinois, Alabama, Michigan State, Oregon, and South Florida. She has the ability to go in and play early wherever she chooses to attend college. Before any of that, it looks like she and her St Francis teammates will be one of the front runners and very tough to beat for a state championship next season.