Unlike much of the country, Southern California hasn’t been touched by the cold, snowy weather that’s impacted much of the country this week and Saturday was a perfect day for nearly 70 young players in the Firecrackers organization coached by Jeff Blanco to test and play games at Huntington Beach (Calif.) Marina High School as part of the Advanced Fastpitch Training (AFT) Prospect Camp.

College coaches from as far away as Georgia were in attendance at the camp and players were getting interest from conferences as diverse as the Pac-12 to the Ivy League and everywhere in between.

Here are a dozen players who performed well both in on-field skill drills as well as in the games (players listed alphabetically)…

***

— C/3B Luz Aguilasocho (2019, Firecrackers – Blanco Inland Empire 14U)
The starting catcher on her team who is a red belt in karate and is a 4.0 student who wants to be a pre-med student.

— C/3B Nikki Butler (2016, Firecrackers – Blanco 18 Gold)
Power hitting catcher with great field presence and leadership skills.

— SS/C Gianna Carosone (2018, Firecrackers – Blanco 14U)
Competitive player from Nevada who has good bat mechanics and smooth glove skills and lateral range at short.

— C/UT Madison Gimpl (2016, Firecrackers – Blanco 18 Gold)
High academic player getting Ivy League interest. Smarts also on the field, combines a strong arm with a big bat.

— C/SS Frankie Hammoude (2018, Firecrackers – Blanco North 16U)
Big bat with opposite field power. Also has a good arm and glove and is getting work in at first base. Pac-12 level schools are looking closely at her.

— SS/2B/OF Alyson Manzo (2016, Firecrackers – Blanco North 18U)
Great leader on the field with strong glove work and range. Strongest arm in the camp and a slapper who has turned into a power hitter.

— P Hanna Nilsen (2016, Firecrackers – Blanco 18 Gold)
Power pitcher throwing hard with good movement.

— P/OF/2B Aubrielle Paulson (2018, Firecrackers – Blanco 14U)
Young pitcher who has pitched at all levels and is confident and assured in the circle.

— 3B/C Angelina “Ocho” Sanchez (2020, Firecrackers – Blanco Inland Empire 14U)
Youngest player on the list, she’s the starting third baseman on her 14U team and is a natural team leader who’s a dangerous power hitter.

— P/IF Elysia Smith (2018, Firecrackers – Blanco Inland Empire 14U)
A starting pitcher who is ready now to pitch at all levels. Also a 4.0 student.

— P/1B Lainey Stephenson (2017, Firecrackers – Blanco 16U)
Hard thrower who hits spots and after a good showing at OnDeck West Coast National Elite Camp and AFT Camp in October, her stock continues to climb.

— C/3B Josey White (2018, Firecrackers – Blanco 16U)
Good two-way player with defensive skills to play behind the plate combined with the athleticism and arm to play the infield.