Watkins work in the gym is clearly paying off. She’s patient, poised, and has realized that when she puts her head down and decides to attack the basket, she’s incredibly difficult to stop. The North Tartan and Minnehaha Academy dynamo was as dominant as any player at the Freshman Showcase. When she caught the ball on the wing, she took her time, sized up the defense, and went to work. When Watkins (pictured above) couldn’t get all the way to the basket, she didn’t force things. Instead, she stopped on a dime and tickled the net with her feathery-soft midrange jumper. The 6 foot foward gobbled up seemingly every rebound in her vicinity, but one signature play really defined her day. On the defensive end, she walled up and blocked a shot with both hands, secured the loose ball, and immediately ignited the fast break. Her ability to absorb the contact and stay disciplined instead of swiping down and picking up a cheap foul showed just how locked in she was. Watkins has next-level talent written all over her, and what we saw at the Freshman Showcase feels like just the tip of the iceberg.

Much like her twin sister, Georgia, this Minnehaha 8th grader has all the physical tools required to succeed at the college level. Standing at 6’0, Shea’s size, combined with her mobility and quickness in the open court, give her the versatility to play multiple positions on both ends of the floor. The North Tartan forward finds much of her offense on the move, excelling as a rim runner and transition scorer. Watkins’ steady hands and positioning around the basket give her advantages on both ends of the floor. The Redhawks 8th grader is a skilled rebounder and crafty finisher in the paint.