Besides losing two key seniors to graduation, the Generals also saw two of their starters - Kejuana Gardner and Tayllor Gipson - move and transfer to other schools. The team of familiar and new faces played at St. Bernerd's High School against the Mira Costa Mustangs who, like Prep, made it to the state playoffs last year and has also lost some key players coming into this season.
Neither team was as fast as they've been in the past, but both battled, and it was a good matchup both size- and skill-wise. The score was neck and neck until less than two minutes to go, when Prep junior center Reshanda "Too Tall" Gray made two key free throws, and then a basket a few seconds later. The Generals rebounded Mira Costa's final failed shot attempt and held the ball to win.
Gray was a beast today. I mean, she's been a force in the paint for a good year now, and frequently has monster games. But today she was ridiculous. Maybe it was because Lisa Leslie and her daughter showed up to watch a relative play for the Mustangs - I don't know. But Gray was jumping in to grab every loose ball, dribbling up the court, fighting for rebounds like her life depended on it, and calling for the ball. At one point she said loudly to a teammate in the corner, "GIMMIE THE BALL!" And in the midst of all of that, she smiled a lot because she was having a great time.
She's really taking her new role as the team leader seriously. I hope she's planning on playing like that all the time, because I could get used to it.
Prep Senior guard Kiana Furlow brings the ball to the top of the key for the Generals (blue uniforms).
Prep Junior center Reshanda "Too Tall" Gray calls for the ball, as she did several times today.
Guess who showed up to see a relative play for Mira Costa? Recently retired Lisa Leslie and daughter Lauren.
Lauren enjoyed some snacks before falling asleep on her mother's chest during the game.
Too Tall put one in at the end of the second half, but the Mustangs lead by one as time expired.
Junior guard Cheyenne Bonham took turns with.......
Furlow at the point.
10 comments:
I've heard that Nikki and company are already looking at Gray. Do you know if they've already offered?
They haven't talked to her yet, but that doesn't mean they're not considering her. Frankly, a school would have to be stupid not to be looking at her right now.
Oh contrare...they have talked to her plenty. She was at the SC/UCLA volleyball game with her volleyball team last week and Nikki and Tony Perotti definitely came up to chat. After this summer, however, she has interest from all over the country. It will be interesting to see where she winds up, she only has upside if you ask me.
In your opinion, how many of these unranked players (I know Gray is highly ranked) are ready for Div. 1? From just a few years ago, I was surprised at how many talented girls are out there but never get noticed. College coaches have said that almost all of their recruiting is done during the summer, but some of these girls can't afford club and only play high school ball.
My belief is that there are a lot of Div. 1 players out there but sometimes, the coaches just need to get to a game and not rely so heavily on the highly political scouting services.
Reshanda definitely has letters from all over the country, and will be able to go wherever she wants. It would be really really cool if she went to UCLA, but I just want her to make the right decision for her, wherever that is.
Anonymous 2, funny you should ask, because I'm working on a story about those issues. It was supposed to be for a website, but it may end up being published in this space.
The bottom line is this: it's easier for coaches to go to big tournaments in the summertime and see numerous prospects than to go to individual schools to see one or two girls. But you're right - there is a HELL of a lot of unrecognized talent out there!
It's all about being seen and heard, so families that can't afford to put their daughter on a club ball team best get her seen in other ways, as well as send packets to colleges their daughter is interested in.
More on this complex topic later.
Sue,
Although she played club, an example last year of a great player who went unnoticed was Camille Buckley. I'm glad she got a ride at LMU, but I also feel she should be playing at a high D. 1. And what of little Jonae Ervin who directed the victory over the previously thought unbeatable Mater Dei? San Luis Obispo! Kaleena just verballed to UConn but it was Ervin who made everyone stand up and take notice.
There will be more Southern California girls who will fall through the cracks because the ranking gurus haven't seen them.
I gotta co-sign everything you said. Buckley bowled me over, and I was amazed she wasn't going to a major. Same with Ervin.
I hope people will let me know about players they think should be getting more attention. I want the best for kids, so I'll go check out a game and write it up.
Sue,
Thanks for all your concern for the girls and love of the game.
I bring up the local scene because Matt Mitchell of Kentucky (Jen O'Neill of NY was just signed and was never recruited by USC or UCLA) said that all up and coming programs should recruit inside out, meaning get the strongest players in your state to stay and then you can get the strongest nationally.
I think that most will agree that we have a lot of girls who can go toe to toe with the best in the nation but it's incumbent upon the local coaches to come out and see them.
Just imagine what would have happened to UCLA if Olivier had signed Ify Ibekwe instead of Nzekwe and Rogers or Danielle Robinson instead of Doreena Campbell. She might still be coach. So there's always a silver lining.
I gotta say...I think Kiana Furlow is a perfect example of what you are talking about. Fundamentally, I think she's much sounder than Kejuana Gardner, but for some reason she just hasn't been able to break out from behind Reshanda and Kejuana's shadow. I really don't think that Cal Sparks utilized her in a manner that allowed her to shine. I think she is probably mid-major D-I talent and at this point she'll probably end up at a JC.
The fact that Washington has lost so many key pieces may actually end up to Kiana's advantage, however. Gray is the type of player college coaches may come out to watch play high school ball. Somebody who didn't even know Kiana existed may discover her this high school season simply because Washington will only be successful this year if Kiana is clutch!
In regards to Kiana, let me leave it at this: if you think a player has been under-utilized by a club team, consider the club director and coach. Is the Cal Sparks organization high quality? Most definitely. Would there likely be reasons why Kiana didn't get the playing time you think she deserved? One could assume.
It's worth remembering that there are two sides to a story.
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