On Sunday, September 8th, I traveled to the Avondale Sports Complex to catch the action in this year's Desert State Elite 150 Exposure Showcase. Organized by Ron Coleman of the Southwest Showcase, this event was comprised of more than 80 different girls basketball prospects from the state of Arizona, and from many different classes. This was an excellent opportunity for me to catch a glimpse of some of the state's top younger prospects.
I really enjoyed observing the action at this weekend's event, as there were many good prospects in action. Ron Coleman always does an excellent job of putting together his events, and also attracting many prospects to take part. While it has been difficult to attract many of the top girl's prospects for such events over the years, Coleman is quickly becoming an excellent organizer of girl's basketball events in the state.
While the event was not held during an NCAA evaluation period, the event was well attended by the state's top scouts, including myself, Gregg Rosenberg (Arizona Varsity) and Chad Groth (Area Codes). Padraig Obrien of Give N' Go Hoops also stopped by to take in the day's action.
Here are the top individual performers that I saw on the day. While I was unable to catch all of the games on the day, these are the prospects that impressed me the most in the games that I observed (In no particular order) . . .
Armani Hawkins 6-2 JR PG/SG Mesa Mountain View HS - 2015 (Arizona State commit)
Hawkins is the state's top rated underclassman prospect and also currently rated among the nation's top 20 prospects in America's 2015 class by ESPN. Fresh off a recent verbal commitment to the Arizona State Sun Devils, Hawkins was back in action in this weekend's event, simply because she loves the game of basketball. Hawkins put on an exhibition in the event, with her ability to handle the basketball and make plays for herself and others - almost at will. She is an excellent creator off the dribble and has a strong mid-range game, which allows her to be very effective with the ball in her hands. She is also a very good passer and sees the floor very well, as a result of a strong overall feel for the game. An excellent prospect that should only continue to get better over the next two years.
Ozahria Fisher 5-4 SOPH PG Thunderbird HS - 2016
Fisher was one of the most impressive prospects in the event. A strong point guard prospect with an excellent handle of the basketball, which allows her to go anywhere she wants to on the floor. Fisher has a strong, compact body which allows her to stay low to the ground and create havoc for her opponents. A very talented player with the basketball in her hands - able to make plays for herself at any time in the offense. Also a very good shooter with a nice shooting stroke. A floor general as well that has good court vision and an ability to make players around her better. Has a bright future ahead of her and looks to be a serious division-I prospect.
Kiara Edwards 6-2 FR PF/C Valley Vista HS - 2017
Edwards is a very nice looking young post prospect with excellent physical size and loads of potential for the future. She is a glaring young talent with good overall fundamentals and a strong presence on the court. An excellent rebounder, especially on the offensive end where she takes up space inside the paint and is able to get nice put-backs for her team. She also runs the floor very well for her size and is a very good finisher already. Gets very good low post position and has an excellent drop step inside the paint. Has very good footwork. A good mid-range shooter with a soft touch. A big-time young prospect that already has an offer from Long Beach State. An elite high major division-I prospect for the future.
Lauryn Satterwhite 5-6 FR PG Gilbert Christian HS - 2017
One of the best young point guard prospects in this weekend's event. Satterwhite is a crafty and skilled left-hander with a nice shooting stroke and a very good feel for the game at a young age. She is a very good ball handler and is able to make plays for herself off the dribble. A good passer as well with good court vision, Satterwhite is a very talented young prospect with loads of potential. Also a good defender that should develop a great deal in this area over time. Satterwhite is the younger sister of top-rated underclassman boy's prospect Cameron Satterwhite. A future high-major division-I prospect.
Najiyyah Pack 5-8 SOPH PG/SG South Mountain HS - 2016
Pack is a very talented combo-guard prospect with very good size. A very skilled young prospect that has a nice overall feel for the game. Pack is a good shooter of the basketball and sets up her ability to make shots with a strong ability to drive the basketball and finish plays for herself or her teammates. A nice facilitator with the basketball in her hands, Pack has excellent versatility as a player - a nice attribute for her. A nice looking prospect with excellent potential as a college prospect.
Jelani Huma 5-5 JR SG Saguaro HS - 2015
Huma is among the best pure shooters of the basketball in the state - possessing a quick and effortless release on her shot. She also has unlimited range as a shooter and is able to extend the defense out past 20 feet. A very underrated player that is also able to score the basketball off the dribble, and seems to always make the right play with the basketball in her hands. Has a nice feel and, while she is very thin in size, she makes plays quite often. Needs to add some serious weight to raise her recruiting stock as a player, but her ability to play the game is good enough to garner much attention as a knock-down shooter.
Annessa Glenn 5-10 SOPH PF Fairfax HS - 2016
Glenn is a wide-bodied post talent with good overall physical strength and toughness. She is an excellent rebounder and takes up space inside the paint. A good finisher inside with good lift off the floor. Runs the floor. Solid post player with excellent potential for the future. Should develop nicely into a serious college prospect over time.
Raina Perez 5-4 SOPH PG Millennium HS - 2016
Perez is a talented point guard prospect with an excellent handle of the basketball and feel for the game. She is a highlight waiting to happen with the basketball in her hands, as she has handles the basketball like a yo-yo and sees the floor very well - looking for cutters and finding open players, often times, when players don't even realize they are open. While small in stature, her ability to play the game makes her very attractive as a young prospect.
Kira Butler 5-5 JR PG Flagstaff HS - 2015
Butler is a good point guard prospect with excellent toughness and vigor. She rebounds very well for her size and is a good finisher. Also a good shooter and ball handler. Very good passer that sees the floor and pushes the basketball up the court. Plays with very good confidence and has a good overall feel for the game.
