2024 Michigan Freshman Showcase Player Evaluations (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 Michigan Freshman Showcase brought out a lot of promising talent to Pontiac this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each had their own strengths that they brought to the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a handful of player evaluations from the event, done in numerical order by what they were assigned at the showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Aubree Williams, DS/L Grass Lake/Flight</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standing just 5-foot, Williams wasn't afraid to take on a challenge. She stood in the defensive pocket and tried to dig up all the big hitters during the showcase. While she didn't always succeed, she did have some impressive digs along the way and her courage and fight really stood out. Williams had a great work ethic and went for it, which is what you want to see at a showcase. Her technique and consistency can always improve, but that work ethic will take her a long way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Sasha Jackson, DS/L West Bloomfield/Team Detroit</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson had a lot of quickness and hustled to try and get to every ball she could. She was able to make some impressive plays just through her effort. Where Jackson can improve in the next year is working to square herself up to the ball more. She was able to get to a spot, but couldn't always get squared up to make an accurate feed. If she's able to do that, it will improve her consistency a great deal. She's got the footwork and drive to get there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Kaitlyn Koceski, DS/L Novi/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top defenders at the showcase, Koceski had a very smooth delivery in her passing and serve receive. Her eyes were locked in and followed the play well. During drills, Koceski was able to show her all-around athleticism. She can put a nice set or attack on the ball as well. No matter where she is on the floor, she looks in control and she's leaving everything she has on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cydnee Speights, OH Mercy/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speights is someone that really wanted to put her foot on the gas and show the show-stopping power she had. She also was willing to be aggressive in her attack lines and push the sideline boundaries often. Her aggression got the best of her on a few occasions, but when she was on and clicking, Speights was among the best hitters on the day. She certainly wanted reps and wasn't afraid of the challenge, so as she develops more variations to her shot, she's going to be a special outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Addison Frost, MH Milford/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frost got out to a little bit of a slow start. She struggled to find some of her timing during drills and working in with new setters. Once she shook things off and loosened up, you started to see more of her potential. As the showcase moved into more scrimmage play, Frost improved a lot. She started to find her timing and confidence and delivers on some good attacks and showed the ability to put down a nice slide kill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Lexi Coleman, OH South Lyon East/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Listed at 5'11”, Coleman seemed to play even bigger at the net and proved to be one of the top outsides at the showcase. She can climb the ladder and high-point the ball well. The pop off her hand seemed to be there for almost every swing. That same velocity and power carried over to her serve and as well. Even more impressive is how much power Coleman could generate without much effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='584598' first='Allison' last='Stakoe'], OH Bloomfield Hills/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stakoe might have had the best hang time in this showcase. She could really hang in the air and wait for the ball, allowing her to uncork some big swings. Her swing was very smooth as well. Her arm speed and angles were polished and looked routine for her. Defensively, Stakoe's vertical and athleticism allowed her to be a big fore with her blocking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->