West Coast Premier Invitational

The West Coast Premier Spring Invitational is one of the top west coast tournaments held annually in southern California. This year’s Super Elite division championship pitted event host West Coast Premier Black taking on Cal Storm Team Taurasi. This back and forth affair saw both teams have the lead in the closing minutes, but it was Cal Storm Team Taurasi that made the final run, capped off by 2018 Jasmine Hardy’s lay up right before the buzzer for the 43-42 victory. Below are standouts from the event:
 
2018 Caitlin Bickle     Arizona Select Black
 
Bickle is a skilled forward who rebounds well on both ends of the floor. Her ability to extend the floor with her three point shot plus create off the catch and attack will translate to the next level very well. This natural leader impacts the game in variety of ways on both ends of the floor.
 
2017 Aubrey Knight     Cal Storm Team Taurasi
 
Knight catches your eye when she takes off for a rebound or to finish at the rim, but the more you watch, the more you appreciate her game. She is all over the floor and this weekend seemed to always be in the right spot to make a play. Her ability to impact the game without having the basketball in her hands was very impressive.
 
2018 Dawnyel Lair     GBL Team Candace Parker 17U Elite
 
GBL has been decimated by injuries at their lead guard position, which opened the door for someone to step up, and this weekend that was 2018 Dawnyel Lair. She was impressive with her ability to create off the bounce and put pressure on the defense by getting to the lane plus showed she could score at all three levels.
 
2019 Ramoni Parker     Lady Fresno Heat
 
Parker is a young forward who is growing into her own this club season. Her competing spirit can be seen in how she protects the lane defensively and attacks the boards on both ends of the floor. Offensively, she has a soft touch around the basket and this weekend showed her ability to step out and shot the three.
 
2018 Jala Everette     Missouri Phenom Napheesa
 
Everette showed her ability to create off the catch by working slow to fast with her explosive first step. She is able to finish in a variety of ways around the rim plus knock down the three. When she masters the midrange game, the sky is the limit.
 
2017 Julia Blackshell-Fair     Oakland Soliders 17U
 
In the debate of players with the top motors, Blackshell-Fair has to be in the discussion. She is constantly in attack mode whether its playing pressure on ball defense or attacking the basket. There are few moments when she is catching her breath. Her ability to create off the bounce and catch gives her the ability to play multiple guard positions at the next level.
 
2019 Da’Ja Hamilton     SoCal Select Black
 
Hamilton is a feisty point guard who doesn’t back down on either end of the floor. She is willing to get down and play 90 feet of defense, which sets the tone for her team. Offensively, she can create off the catch and bounce plus knock down the three.
 
2017 Ilmar’l Thomas     WCP Golden City 17U
 
Thomas is a bully wing who has mastered the pull up jumper game in the half court and transition. Her ability to knock down the three and attack off a shot fake gives her the advantage against a defender closing out. She has the ability to lead the break off a defensive rebound and passes well off the drive.
 
2017 Kianna Smith     West Coast Premier Black
 
In a talented back court, Smith stood out this weekend with her ability to create off the bounce against a man or zone. She showed great poise and decision making in the Super Elite Championship game against full court and half court pressure. Her first step and ability to score at all three levels makes her a scoring threat any where on the court. The coaches at Cal have to be thrilled with her recent commit.
 
2020 Te-Hina PaoPao     Wiggins Waves 17U
 
When an 8th grader plays in the varsity division you take notice. But, when an 8th grader plays in the top division and at times is the best player on the floor, you stamp that name is your brain. This weekend, Paopao did just that as she lead her team to second in their pool. She plays with great confidence for such a young player, and has to be in the early discussion as one of the best point guards in the 2020 class.
 
 
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Be on the look out for the full report from the 2016 West Coast Spring Invitational.