Jiya Perry
Carleigh Wenzel elevates for a closely guarded jumper at the 2018 She's Ballin Showcase in San Antonio. *Photo by Chris Hansen.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The She’s Ballin Showcase, a one-day individual event, has become the unofficial starting gun of the spring/summer basketball season. It draws players from across the Lone Star State as well as attracting some out of state competition as well. The 2018 installment saw a wealth of talent in the underclass session ready to make noise.
The attention garnered by Carleigh Wenzel and Samantha Wagner at a young age are well deserved. Wenzel showed grit this weekend, recovering from a slow start and really poured it on as the showcase went on. She has the moxie to be leader even on the days the ball doesn’t bounce her way. She stayed aggressive regardless. Wagner has grown so much in the last year it was hard to peg what position she might end up projecting but her skill has kept up. The versatility and size makes Wagner really hard to stop at the middle school level. If these two stay on the same trajectory with their skill development, the sky is the limit at the high school level.
But those two weren’t the only young guns showing out at She’s Ballin.
Hailey Adams of the SA Hoops Elite program was a new face that really impressed. She changed speeds and utilized a behind the back snap dribble to relieve ball pressure on numerous possessions. She passed the ball well, hit the ball reversal three a couple of times and got to the rim. This 2022 guard had a strong day in the gym.
LA Snead brings intensity to both ends of the
court. *Photo by Chris Hansen.
Leona “LA” Snead of San Antonio’s Finest was one of the youngest players in the entire showcase but she played like a seasoned veteran. She’s a fearless lead guard who made plays with the drive and pass. Her willingness in this showcase environment to apply herself defensively really stood out. The only downside is waiting for 2025!
Mia Galbraith of the AD Elite club program caught eyes by staying active with and without the basketball. She has some length in her frame the and the 2023 from Lake Travis Middle School demonstrated strong basketball IQ as well. She catches, faces and reads the defense on each touch, drops her hips and attacks on change of direction moves and used her length to finish a coast-to-coast contested lay-in at full extension.
Jordyn Marshall is another AD Elite youngster to keep an eye on. The 2022 guard is shifty with the ball and her first step is explosive when she goes into attack mode. And attacking is something she did often and well on this morning. She showed patience too. She attacked, changed speeds and direction with a couple of glide dribbles then got downhill again when the angle was there. She didn’t dominate the ball though; in transition she was a ready willing and able passer to get the ball up the court.
Pace Rickard is a 2023 lead guard from the Texas Elite program and she was ready to show her game off from the jump. She had real burst when attacking off the dribble. She elevated well to finish. She used a multitude of change of speed and direction moves from a straight hesitation to a stutter cross to an in-and-out move to set up drives. Despite her success attacking to score she was constantly scanning the floor for kick-out opportunities.
Laila McLeod has the size and a smooth game
on or off the ball. *Photo by Chris Hansen.Laila McLeod, a 2022 guard from the Lady Pro Skills program showed a lot of tools in this four-hour showcase. She has a smooth way about her and is really strong with the basketball. She has a good frame for her age and she utilized it, often getting from the perimeter to the rim in one dribble. She knocked down catch and shoot opportunities and even hit a couple of floaters in the middle of the lane to round out her day.
Ayanna Thompson is another up and coming prospect from the Pro Skills program. She has good size and is smooth with the ball in her hands. This 2022 finished with both hands and showed she has a quick release on her jumper as well. She was at her best using her length and athleticism driving right.
Amina Muhammad from NTX Elite Platinum is a 2022 to watch. She’s a versatile player who can handle and create as well as take a smaller defender down to the post and go to work. She slashed and finished off balance as well. As she gets stronger her game could get scary for opposing defenders.
Angel Tumbarello of San Antonio’s Finest is a spark plug on the court. She brings a lot of energy to the court on both ends of the court. The 2023 point guard sees the floor and is pushing at every opportunity. She is one of those players that refuses to back down from a challenge.
Jiya Perry of NTX Elite Platinum is a 2022 who is ready for a breakout spring. She showed she was comfortable in the mid-range and a handful to stop when she attacks the paint. She embraces contact with her defender and showed the strength to finish after the bump.
Chris Hansen is managing editor of ProspectsNation.com and serves on the McDonald’s All-American and Naismith Trophy selection committees. He was a co-founder of and the national director of scouting for ESPN HoopGurlz from 2005 until 2012 and is the director of the Check Me Out Showcase. He can be reached at chris@chrishansenbasketball.com.
