Brooke Demetre
Deja Williams brought energy and talent to the floor in the middle school session of Check Me Out SoCal. *Photo by EGB.
LAKE FOREST, Calif. - The Check Me Out Showcase is quickly growing into one of the premier showcase settings a player can attend. With sell out high school sessions, the middle school division is becoming the way to get in early. Check Me Out is set up for top players from around the country to compete against each other under one roof outside of the club team circuit. The “Young Guns” division is an exciting and early preview of the talent to come, setting the stage for the next wave of college prospects. Here’s a look at the future from Check Me Out SoCal
Kayle Byon (Bueno Park, Calif.), SoCal Select - 2021
Byon set the tempo for the middle school division. She was the shiftiest player we saw all weekend. All 4-foot-9 of her was illusive on the court and she demonstrated mature qualities for a player so young. What was great about her play was her command on the court and her ability to run an offense from the point guard position. She possesses great leadership and floor general charisma. Her combo moves allow her to handle the ball really well at the top of the key and slice to the key for drives and dishes. A match-up against another rising 2021, Hayley Flores of Auburn, Wash., would be highly entertaining as both of them flood the game with high I.Q. and skill set.
Taylor Flores (Auburn, Wash.), ECBA Swish -- 2019
Flores has become one of the premier players on the West Coast in the 2019 class. Her confidence has soared most in her ability to knock down big shots. She shot the ball really well in SoCal and her presence on the floor impacts the game. Not only has she made strides offensively, on the defensive end she has proven she can rise to the occasion and guard the opposing team’s best player. Cool, confident and poised, Flores is turning heads with performances on both sides of the ball.
Alissa Pili (Anchorage, Alaska), Alaska Lady Hoops – 2019
Pili made her presence known this past weekend at the Check Me Out SoCal Showcase. Her willingness to sacrifice her body and fight for rebounds and loose balls was impressive. Attacking the basket, she used her body really well to protect the ball and showed great left-hand finishes. She has touch and great hands around the rim. Her motor is high and because her effort level is top notch; that is what separates her on the court from others. Despite having the frame of a post at this early age, don’t be surprised if she ends up playing on the perimeter in time.
Deja Williams (Long Beach, Calif.), GBL Lady Rebels -- 2019
Heart, hustle and energy sum up this girl’s Check Me Out weekend. She played with pure passion whether it was on the court in the skill sessions, or in the showcase games. Williams is a talented guard who can defend and put pressure on the ball, forcing tips and turnovers. She is creative off the bounce and has an ability to wow the crowd. She is that X-factor on the floor because of her energy. She also showed she can knock down the 3-ball and has moves to get to the rim. Williams displayed pure passion for the game and did it with a smile the whole time, which is refreshing to see in competitors.
Brooke Demetre (Foothill Ranch, Calif.), Triple S Warriors -- 2021
Demetre has incredible size, length and strength for a 2021 and was one of the most impressive players in the middle school group at the Check Me Out SoCal. At 5-10, she moves well and can get out and run the floor. Around the rim she grabs a lot of rebounds with her length and has a great awareness. She is poised beyond her years offensively. Defensively, she blocked a lot of shots with her timing. Demetre's upside is through the roof and if she continues to go down the path she is heading right now she could end up impacting a major program.
Around The Rim
Alexis Tucker of Hawthorne, Calif., is a player. At 5-11, she can make a lot of things happen on the court. She showed she has great control on her jumper and has the handle to get to all the spots on the floor that she wants to attack. Athleticism is there for her in spades and overall, this class of 2019 prospect finds ways to score, whether it’s a step through on the block or following her own shot for a put back.
Kelsey Lenzie of Seattle, Wash., has become a sharpshooting specialist. Her ability to knock down timely shots has been huge for her development. The 2019 brings speed and leadership to the floor, while stretching the defense offensively.
This was the second weekend of the spring that Alyson Miura of Clackamas, Ore., was in the gym at a Check Me Out event. She’s incredibly poised and can play any perimeter position at a high level.
Te-Hina Paopao of Oceanside, Calif., is one of the best seventh grade basketball players in the country. She can quickly spark an offense with her scoring drives and possess a court charisma that can navigate the highest octane of offenses. She is adding the vocal piece to a game that is ready for elite competition already.
Kiya Dorroh of Tuscon, Ariz., has a major length and a long gait for a 2021. She had an impressive weekend blocking shots. Her length and athleticism have put her in the argument for being a force to reckon with around the rim. Her game is going to soar as she continues to develop her ball skills. She plays with intensity and confidence.
Meghan Fiso of Seattle, Wash., had a flight delay that cost her the first day of the event but more than made up for it on the second day, showing strength and fluid athleticism. When she is able to score with her left she’s going to be a real difference maker.
Another one-day sensation was Khylee Pepe of Long Beach, Calif. Her length, mobility and balance were really impressive. She uses her long gait and reach to get to the rim with ease.
Alyssa Munn of Torrance, Calif., is a talented young guard who plays with supreme confidence. She can score off the dribble and is really strong with the ball for a 2020.
Wetmore joined ProspectsNation.com in the summer of 2014 after graduating from the University of Washington with a Communications degree. She left Washington as the all-time leader in games played and also played with the softball team in the College World Series. She was the Gatorade State Player of the Year her senior year in high school capping off a career which included three state titles. She can be reached at mercedes@prospectsnation.com.
