2024s of Note from Wichita MAYB June 13-14 Tournament, Part 1

Eight teams competed in the MAYB 8th grade girls tournament June 13-14 at Wichita Sports Forum.  Many players showed ability throughout the weekend, a weekend in which most players were playing their first games of the summer.  Enjoy this first of a two part report on 2024s of note.  Several 2025s were playing on teams in this bracket.  While they will not be reported on, my notes on them are already on a spreadsheet and on my radar. <strong>Hattie Gros, Frankfort, 5’5”, CG, SSA Elite 14U</strong> -- <span data-sheets-formula-bar-text-style="font-size:13px;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none;font-family:'Verdana';font-style:normal;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;">Gros is a corner three shooter off the catch, has a diverse offensive game, and can score in streaks. She showed handles to get out of trouble in the back court to go the length of the floor, know-how to draw contact on basket attacks, and back-to-basket ability on the left block. Gros also showed effective use of a ball fake in the corner to go baseline and finish without using the glass. </span> <strong>Leela Jones, PG, Wichita Southeast, Dynasty 15U</strong> -- Jones showed good speed with the ball, control, and athleticism. <strong>Adrian Neal, F, Wichita Southeast, Dynasty 15U</strong> -- Neal made good use of a ball fake to go baseline and score from the block without glass. <strong>Madison Smith, G, Derby, Dynasty 15U</strong> -- While Smith needs to do a better job of keeping her head up on the dribble she showed smarts and sneakiness moving away from the ball to get into position, especially inside on inbounds plays.  Not a good shooter yet but looks to shoot at good moments. <strong>Sara Springer, Wamego, 5’4”, PG, SSA Elite 14U</strong> -- Springer hit a nice three in flow off a kick-out to the top of the key.  She showed some ability to beat defenders of the bounce for layins but otherwise a<span data-sheets-formula-bar-text-style="font-size:13px;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none;font-family:'Verdana';font-style:normal;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;">lways shoots runners off the drive. The great <a href="https://www.nba.com/history/legends/profiles/alex-english">Alex English</a> made a living with runners, but incorporating floaters, pull-ups, or even a <a href="https://www.nba.com/history/legends/profiles/george-gervin">George "The Iceman" Gervin</a> style finger roll will help her rack up points.</span> <strong>Tatum Tindall, Manhattan, 5’10”, F, SSA Elite 14U</strong> -- While Tindall has a thin build she competes hard and l<span data-sheets-formula-bar-text-style="font-size:13px;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none;font-family:'Verdana';font-style:normal;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;">ikes the turnaround jumper off the left side block post up. </span> <strong>Shae Wurtz, Clifton-Clyde, 5’7”, SSA Elite 14U</strong> -- <span data-sheets-formula-bar-text-style="font-size:13px;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none;font-family:'Verdana';font-style:normal;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;">Wurtz is aggressive and gets on the offensive boards well.</span> <em>Featured image: SSA Elite 14U 2024 Tatum Tindall of Manhattan shoots a mid-range jumper against a Kansas United player. Photo by Robert Kelly.</em> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;