The future at Forest Lake is looking very bright with the likes of Zarate and Jasmine Mata Jasmine Mata 5'5" | PG/SG Forest Lake | 2030 State MN in tow. The 5’9 combo guard showed during the Freshman Showcase that she can be whatever her team needs. She started the day making her presence felt on the defensive end, picking up full court and even taking the ball away from some of the better ball handlers in the building before rewarding herself on the other end. Offensively, Zarate was super aggressive attacking the paint, creating easy opportunities for herself and her teammates. She also has a smooth outside shot to complement her ability to get downhill, making her that much tougher to defend. Zarate competes, plays with confidence and isn’t afraid of a challenge. At the end of the day, she’s a gamer.

Much like when we’ve watched her in previous weeks, Zarate was instrumental for North Tartan at Summer Jam. All throughout the weekend, the Forest Lake 8th grader brought a spark on both ends of the floor, injecting energy into each possession for the 14U Elite squad. On the defensive end Eileenah got her hands in the passing lanes, generated deflections, boxed out consistently, and fought hard for rebounds. She then sprinted up the floor in transition, catching passes at long range and finishing with a crafty Euro-step or reverse layup before the defense closed in. The 5’8 guard finished the weekend with multiple strong offensive performances, including a game-high 17 points on Saturday afternoon.

Zarate was crucial for North Tartan ‘s 14U Elite squad over the weekend, leading the team in scoring with 48 points in four games. The 5’8 wing from Forest Lake looked for her shot early and often, finding openings on drives to the rim. With a quick first step and a willingness to lean into contact at the rim, Eileenah drew numerous fouls on her opponents, earning herself several trips to the charity stripe. On the defensive end, Zarate’s lengthy frame and bouncy lateral movement proved to be a major asset for her team. She applied pressure on the ball out on the perimeter, leading to multiple forced turnovers and defensive stops. Going the other way Eileenah spaced the floor and made fast, smart decisions with the ball.