Team 5
Coach: Dri Nazario
#18: 5’1 ’23 Aleysha Hill (Asheville)
Starting things off, we look at a player who showcased a very reliable, productive presence on both ends of the floor, Aleysha Hill. She’s a smart, wiry, high-motor guard prospect with the ability to find success from either backcourt position. Hill is an exceptional defender with toughness and sharp instincts for forcing turnovers. She’s also an efficient three-level scorer with quickness, creation skills, and a strong playmaking sense. Hill makes unselfish decisions, does the dirty work, and simply leads by example in all facets of the game. Next in her development process is working on the use of her off-hand, as it would make her a better finisher around the basket. Coach Nazario on Hill: “Aleysha is a tough guard who simply has a nose for the ball on defense. She has a high basketball IQ and is a great spot-up shooter. Her shot can be somewhat streaky at times. Coachable and displayed a positive attitude.” Hill enjoyed a quality showing, and should be a strong contributor for Asheville during the upcoming season.
#22: 5’3 ’22 Kaiden Faith (East Forsyth)
Next, we look at a player who made a lasting impression with her clear willingness to do whatever possible to provide her team with an edge, Kaiden Faith. She’s an unselfish, high-motor wing prospect with cutting ability and a team-first approach on both ends of the floor. Faith is a solid rebounder and makes useful passes to open teammates at every opportunity. She looks to make hustle plays and outwork her assignment in all facets of the game. Next in her development process is working to become quicker, as it would make her a more reliable penetrator and on-ball defender. Coach Nazario on Faith: “Kaiden plays very hard and is a great team player. She is very coachable as well. Kaiden needs to focus on developing the fundamentals of her game.” Faith enjoyed a nice showing at camp and should be able to carve out a useful role for East Forsyth during her upcoming senior season.
#33: 5’4 ’23 Nadiya Hairston (High Point Christian)
Moving onto a player who simply knows how to set the tone and lead by example on both ends of the floor, Nadiya Hairston. She’s a tough, gritty, very well-rounded guard prospect with a high IQ and the ability to consistently create for herself and others. Hairston is quick and touches the paint at a high volume, where she’s able to finish or set up others with relative ease. She’s also a reliable shooting threat and overall creator with the ability to run the offense if necessary. Hairston is an excellent defender, forces a ton of turnovers, and pushes transition play with consistency. She doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses on the court. Next in her development process is working to get stronger, as it would make her an even tougher matchup for opponents. Coach Nazario on Hairston: “Nadiya is a great tone-setter and tough overall player. Her motor, physicality, and ability to make plays overwhelmed opponents throughout the day. Coachable and displayed a positive attitude.” Hairston was a definite standout at camp and should be a strong contributor for High Point Christian over these next few seasons.
#38: 5’5 ’26 Elisabeth Kirkland (Village Christian)
Continuing onto a player who performed very well, particularly to be the youngest camper on this team, Elisabeth Kirkland. She’s a long, tough, high-motor wing prospect with great defensive prowess and the ability to apply offensive pressure without requiring the ball in her hands. Kirkland is a team-first player and shows a clear desire to make plays however possible within her role. She’s great defensively and consistently utilizes her body on the glass to outrebound opponents. Next in her development process is working on the use of her off-hand, as it would make her a better finisher around the basket. Coach Nazario on Kirkland: “Elisabeth is a young, athletic guard that has a ton of potential. She is a great on-ball defender and catch-and-shoot option. Although Elisabeth is still learning the game, she always plays hard.” Kirkland highlighted a lot of ability at camp, and will certainly be a player to keep an eye on throughout her continued progression.
#53: 5’8 ’22 Khimeira Weston (North Mecklenburg)
Next, we look at a player who arguably stood out as the top overall defender on this team, Khimeira Weston. She’s a long, tough, physical wing/forward prospect with a high motor and the ability to effortlessly overwhelm her assignment defensively. Weston is a capable shooting threat off the catch and can capitalize on finishes as an offensive rebounder. However, she embraces his rugged nature defensively, suffocates opponents, and forces turnovers at a seemingly nonstop rate. Weston is also an exceptional rebounder and useful off-ball cutter. Next in her development process is working to become a craftier ball-handler, as it would make her a more dynamic offensive threat. Coach Nazario on Weston: “Khimeira is an athletic tweener who can defender well on the perimeter as well as inside the paint. Needs improvement on passing and ball-handling. She has pretty good touch around the midrange area. Shot-selection needs to improve as well (knowing when to shoot versus when to defer).” Weston made a lasting impression with her presence at camp, and should be poised for a strong senior campaign at North Mecklenburg.
#56: 5’8 ’25 Peyton Collins (Seaforth)
Finishing up, we look at a player who possesses a nice crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Peyton Collins. She’s a young, wiry forward prospect with a high motor, unselfish mentality, and solid shooting presence. Collins is able to consistently knock down jumpers off the catch from midrange and beyond the arc. She moves well without the ball, works hard for rebounds, and provides great effort defensively. Collins runs the floor well in transition. Next in her development process is working to get quicker, as it would make her a better defender when operating in space. Coach Nazario on Collins: “Peyton is a high-motor volume shooter. She plays hard on both ends of the floor. Peyton has an unorthodox jumper, but it goes in. Her ball-handling and overall feel for the game could use some improvement.” Collins did a lot of things well at camp, and will be a prospect to monitor over the foreseeable future at Seaforth.