Event Recap - Charlotte Skills Showcase - 2027 & 2028 Players
Event Recap
Charlotte Skillz Showcase & Middle School Spotlight
Class of 2027 - 2028
June 2023 gave Carolina Girls Hoops Report an opportunity to evaluate Middle school players with two days of skill work in Mooresville, NC. Throughout the two days of skills and drills, Queen of the Court and five on five game play led by basketball skills developer Tim Winn. The event was held at Talbert recreation center, I had the opportunity to evaluate 16 players and I will give my feedback on their performances.
2028 - 5’9” - Guard Alaysia Ortiz - Gonzalez - Queen City Ballers (NC) - Athletic, combo guard that was able to score at all 3 levels during game play. Ortiz - Gonzalez is an explosive playmaker that can get to the rim and finish in traffic. Throughout the event she was able to show off a high motor and skill set, Alaysia was fantastic during the Queen of the Court competition, winning the event in sudden death. I was very happy to see Ortiz - Gonzalez come back on the 2nd day to get more skill work and show off her skill set, she has a bright future in this game.
2027 - 6’1” - Forward - Ja’Nyia Cunningham - FBC United ‘The Family” (SC) - High motor forward that has developed a face up game that makes her a threat to score from all levels on the court, Ja’Nyia is one of the top interior scorers in her class nationally in my opinion. This upcoming season will be her third year playing varsity even though she will be entering 9th grade in August. Ja’Nyia participated in the skills & drills portion on Friday ( Middle School Spotlight ) and showed an advanced crossover and consistent jumpshot. These moves will expand her role during the viewing period in July and Freshman year of High School. I believe that Ja’Nyia Cunningham will be one of the most recruited players in her South Carolina class.
2028 - 5’8” - Guard - Ariah Heard - Queen City Ballers (SC) - Highly skilled combo guard that has a high motor and ability to make plays on the court. Ariah showcased playmaking ability during five on five play with her drive and dish ability. I am looking forward to Ariah being one of the top recruits in South Carolina moving forward, her size, skill and competitive nature on the court will be something that college coaches will gravitate to. I really enjoyed seeing her get challenged by Tim Winn and responding during drills and Queen of the court.
2028 - 5’7” - Guard - Amara Cashwell - Queen City Ballers (NC) - I truly enjoyed watching Amara throughout the two days that she attended the events, she is a tremendous athlete that can attack the rim and finish in traffic. From the moment she stepped into the gym she was ready to work and never stopped, finished with both hands at the rim and pounded the basketball during drills. Amara is a player that a lot of college coaches are going to like because her motor is non stop. I believe that once she gets a more consistent jump shot that she will be a player that will be a household name in the Carolinas and beyond.
2028 - 5’10” - Forward - Madison Wilding - Queen City Ballers (NC) - High motor interior scorer that uses outstanding footwork and timing to deliver for her team on the low post. Madison displayed solid ball handling during skills work, I believe that Madison will be a matchup problem when she gets to high school with her ability to shoot the ball. Throughout the event she knocked down her mid-range jumpshot with consistency, I am looking forward to seeing her continued growth.
2027 - 5’9” - Guard - Claudia Matthews (SC) - Athletic player that is just scratching the surface of her on court skills, during the skills portion I witnessed her outstanding shooting ability and believe that she will be a perimeter threat throughout her high school career. Claudia has a high motor and has long arms and quick feet. With increased court time and skill work, she will be a player to watch for college coaches over the next four years.