FGB: Recognize the Game!

*5 Players from each class that we noticed in the spring and colleges should watch out for in the summer viewing period. These are not the top kids in each class but kids we feel are under the radar that need some pub…so “Recognize the Game!”

*Do you know someone we need to recognize? Let us know! Email Kenny@FGBHOOPS.COM or post it on our message board at http://s3.excoboard.com/exco/index.php?boardid=2210

Class of 2009

Shayla Bivins 6’5’’ C Stanton College Prep (Jacksonville)

*A few years ago many mocked an uncoordinated Bivins who was just learning the game. Four years later as projected she has become a major division 1 prospect including interest from the University of North Carolina, South Carolina and Miami. Bivins is the top post recruit in 2009 and is poised for a big July where the sky is the limit for her game.

Jamisha Willis 5’6’’ PG Palatka

*Willis is the best point guard in the 2009 class that you don’t know. Willis’s ability to get in the paint and score as well as distribute make her a solid D1 recruit very few people know about.

Jennifer Pelham 6’2’’ F Yulee

*This Savannah native made a big splash with her post play at Spring Fling II picking up some division 1 and 2 interests right off the bat. In July Pelham will control her own destiny as many people think she can turn in to a BCS recruit.

D’Shauna Truss 5’9’’ G Potter’s House Christian (Jacksonville)

*Truss is the reason the Jax Lady Rams are playing 15U and boy she showed how good she was versus the Essence at AAU State by knocking down key shots as well as finding the open man. Truss is a D1 guard not many know about and will be a steal if people continue to wait on her.

Lauren Jenkins 5’9’’ G/F Astronaut (Titusville)

*After strong showings at the FGB Exposure Camp and Spring Fling II, Jenkins’s stock is on the rise receiving interest from several division 1 schools in the southeast already. In July Jenkins will look to elevate her interest. Jenkins will make a school very happy in the fall with her athletic ability and tough play.

Class of 2010

Jermisha McRae 5’8’’ G Atlantic (Daytona Beach)

*McRae is a kid who just flat out makes plays on both ends of the court. Possibly the top guard prospect in the class of 2010 in Florida, McRae looks to make a name for herself on the circuit this summer. McRae blew up for 19 points versus DEBO Elite at Spring Fling II and is just on the surface of her potential.

Alexis Burke 5’10’’ G Bainbridge (GA)

*Although not a Florida kid Burke caught our eye at the EGB and that put us over the top. Burke is an excellent shooter and also is deadly off the dribble from the wing. As well as having a strong outside game Burke can go inside and score just as well.

Alicia DeVaughn 6’4’’ C South Broward (Hollywood)

*This may be the last time we can mention DeVaughn in this category but nationally we don’t think DeVaughn is that well known. In the end we expect DeVaughn to challenge Deaundra Young of Astronaut to be the top 2010 recruit in Florida. Both DeVaughn and Young should be in contention for McDonald’s All American and other honors as their careers continue.

Tiffany Charles 5’9’’ G Monsignor Pace (Miami)

*A crafty left handed guard who caught our eye at the FGB Spring Exposure Camp. Charles did everything from scoring to defense and even more. Charles is a solid D1 recruit in 2010 and as she improves she will continue to move up the charts.

Kim Smith 5’9’’ G East Ridge (Clermont)

*Kim Smith has size, speed, and can shoot the lights out which separates her from a lot of the other guards in 2010. Possibly her best feature is her high basketball IQ. Look for Kim Smith to appear on the lists of many college coaches this summer and her mailbox to be awfully full!

Class of 2011

Brianna Wright 6’2’’ F Titusville

*The Space Coast continues to crank out big time post players with the addition of Brianna Wright. Wright who was a relative unknown state wide is beginning to open eyes as she continues to get better. Wright is not a traditional center but more of a forward who can shoot the ball and is very agile.

Shalethia Stringfield 5’8’’ G Potters House Christian (Jacksonville)

*A lot of talk is made about Brittany Rountree, Loliya Briggs, and Cassie Peoples in the class of 2011 but we can say for a certainty that at this point in the process that Stringfield is the top guard on the Jacksonville Lady Rams as well as the top guard recruit in the class of 2011. While those other guards are big time recruits and very good Stringfield’s speed and ability to score inside and outside just puts her over the top. Stringfield also has the ability to be the best defender on the perimeter in that class.

Wendy Miller 5’11’’ G/F Palatka

*Miller is another unknown from Palatka but has the most polished game of any wing player in the class. Miller can shoot the ball as well as go inside. Miller reminds me somewhat of Burke in their game where they get stuck inside but are probably more effective on the wing in the long term. Once she gets on the wing full time look for her to soar.

Amir Davis 5’4’’ G Astronaut (Titusville)

*The fastest kid we’ve ever coached, that is one way to describe Amir Davis but Amir really can shoot the ball and is a great passer as well. Having both twins in the backcourt automatically solves any defensive problems any team would have.

Akia Davis 5’6’’ G Astronaut (Titusville)

*Akia is more polished right now but doesn’t have near the speed as Amir on the floor. Akia has great court vision and is tough going to the basket. Both Davis twins are poised for big summers this year!

Class of 2012

Camille Crooks 5’9’’ G St. Mary Magdalene (Edgewater/Winter Park/Bishop Moore)

*Crooks is a system point guard who might be the best freshman I’ve seen not to start next year if she chooses to attend Bishop Moore. One thing we have liked about Camille’s game is her improving range and ability to shoot the ball. Camille has gotten to the point where she’s big enough to play the position at the next level which is important and is going to be contending for the #1 guard spot for 4 years in the class of 2012.

Alexis Prince 6’0’’ G Maitland Middle (Edgewater/Lake Highland Prep)

*A top 10 player nationally according to some Alexis Prince is the real deal. Prince is athletic and great around the basket but also has the ability to score on the wing by shooting and driving. If any big time travel team is ever able to get Prince they will have a star in the making on their hands.

January Miller 5’8’’ G Corner Lake Middle (University)

*Miller is a strong athletic guard who is going to challenge Crooks as the top guard in that class. Miller’s ability to take and give punishment is going to make her a very effective player. Miller also has a great pull up and is very polished offensively.

Vyanna Prince 5’6’’ G Jackson Middle (Titusville)

*Prince is an unorthodox guard who just can flat out score and makes big plays on defense. As Prince’s game develops there is no reason she cant contend with the rest of the top kids in that class.

Ajanai Edwards 5’9’’ Sebastian Middle (St. Augustine)

*In a class of good athletes Edwards is the best. Edwards who really doesn’t have a position yet can rebound and finish with the best of the class of 2012. As Edwards’s outside game develops and grows will determine how high she will go.

Class of 2013

Jessica Thomas 5’7’’ G (Gainesville Warriors)

*There are not many absolutes in our evaluating but after I saw Jessica Thomas hang 30+ on Orlando’s Finest this weekend I have no problem calling her the best 7^th grade guard in the class of 2013. Thomas is fierce on defense and just getting to the rim. As Thomas grows and her outside game develops some consistency you will here her name pretty frequently.

Sydnei McCaskill 5’6’’ G Chain of Lakes Middle (Orlando)

*McCaskill might have the highest basketball IQ of any guard in this class right now. I saw her carve up a good Orlando Comets Red team this weekend at AAU State and look like she was developing more into a point guard which is what she needs to do. I expect Sydnei to be awfully good especially if she continues to grow and learn that position better.

Alexis Brown 5’6” G Lake Highland Prep (Orlando)

*Brown is probably best described as a mix between McCaskill and Thomas with her point guard ability and high basketball IQ but she is still very effective scoring in a variety of ways. I think that Thomas and McCaskill have already found a niche as far as a position but Brown could go either way because of her versatility and that makes her as valuable or more long term as the others.

Shannon Cranshaw 5’6’’ G Lake Highland Prep (Orlando)

*In Florida one thing is always tough to find and you can find it right here with Shannon Cranshaw and that’s shooting. I saw Cranshaw knock down shots all over the floor this weekend at AAU State for the Edge 12U. I expect Cranshaw to keep developing and if she grows to be the states top long range assassin in the future.

Arianna Cumbie 6’1’’ F Ocoee Middle

*One thing everyone is looking for at any level is size. When you have that size and your athletic you are already ahead of the game and Arianna Cumbie is a very good athlete at 6’1’’ in 7^th grade. Cumbie showed some more range this weekend although she was playing for a team which was overmatched in most games. Cumbie has two options as far as development; 1) grow and develop into a post or 2) work on becoming a long athletic wing player. If either occurs she’ll be big time in 2013.