Mountain Pointe High School's girls basketball program was among the most talented teams in the state last season, after posting a 26-6 overall record last season and an impressive 14-1 record in Division-I's Section-III Class. A major reason for the performance of last year's team was the well-balanced attack of the Pride. One member of this well-balanced attack proved to be a strong prospect for the future - 5-foot-9 sophomore forward Tilasha Oakey.
Oakey, in her first season of high school varsity basketball and also her first high school season all together, proved to be one of Arizona's top 2016 prospects. Oakey would provide the offensive punch needed by the Pride to give her team the scoring support needed to help others on the team to get off. While her numbers were not big in her freshman season, Oakey did enough to prove that she is a serious college prospect for the future.
Last season, Oakey averaged 5.9 points and 3.2 rebounds per/game on the season. Her best performance came in a game I witnessed - a 79-68 win over Desert Vista HS where Oakey poured in 20 points in the home victory.
A high-energy wing prospect that is capable of scoring in bunches; Oakey has the ability to become instant offense over time. She has an excellent knack already for scoring the basketball, and is able to score the basketball off the dribble on drives to the basket or from the perimeter where she possesses a good shooting stroke with a quick release. While she is not yet consistent from three-point distance, as she improves her ability to shoot the basketball over time, she will see her offensive approach to the game take full effect.
She is able to make plays for herself when the offense breaks down and can get her offense going at any time in the offense. She has a good mid-range game, which allows her to make plays inside and out. She is a wing prospect that is a capable ball handler and passer, but will need to continue to improve in these two areas to maximize her potential as a player.
An active and athletic performer, Oakey needs to focus on rebounding the basketball better, since she has the athleticism to be a much better rebounder for her size. She also has the ability to become a much better defender over time, since she does possess good lateral quickness and good anticipation.
This young lady has the potential to become a serious division-I prospect over time. Just how good she becomes will depend on her work ethic and focus on her development as a player.
Oakey will return this season to join a talented group again, led by the play of 6-foot-1 senior post Kaylah Lupoe. Keep an eye out for Oakey this season, as she should make her way into the team's starting lineup and raise her overall production - helping the Pride become one of my clear favorites to win it all this season.
