Pittsburgh Summer Classic: Notables from 16u/17u

While Many teams are making multiple trips to the Hoosier State for tournaments, Allegheny County in western Pennsylvania finally lifted its momentary ban on athletic competition, allowing the Basketball Stars of America to resume its tournaments. The Pittsburgh Summer Classic was held in Monroeville last weekend and while nearly as many teams treated it like a shootout as opposed to pool play, a number of quality games were to be hand in the combined 16u/17u division. Eight teams took part, with all but three hailing from Pennsylvania, including pool champion 5^th Street Hoops 2022 girls, which dealt the OV Lady Dragons 2022 its only loss, a 40-27 setback in the finals. Also finishing unbeaten was the Erudite 2021 girls, a team with most of its players based in Westmoreland County. The Wheeling HS Girls, all members from incoming freshman through seniors from Wheeling Park High School, played three back-to-back games to start the day. Wheeling had a strong showing against OV Lady Dragons 2021 in the first game, leading at half time before falling 44-35. Somewhat gassed and with little down time, they next faced Erudite, which was adept at stopping the Patriots’ favorite source of offense—dribble penetration. Wheeling has a number of top players capable of attacking the basket and all were getting denied success by Erudite’s top-line defense. OVLG 2021 experienced a similar fate later in the afternoon, falling to Erudite 51-39 for its lone loss of the tournament. The Dragons’ 2022 squad look solid in its first three pool play games, winning by an average margin of 50-31. Here is a brief synopsis of some of the top performances from the West Virginia and Ohio-based players during the weekend. <img class=" wp-image-194080 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/Kenzie-Dalton-137x300.jpg" alt="" width="116" height="254" /><strong>Kenzi Dalton OV Lady Dragons 2022 (Fort Frye, 2022)</strong> Dragons’ point guard had all-around solid tournament, intermixing solid offensive play with intense defense and court awareness. Play much bigger than her 5-foot-2 frame, willing to attack the basket or successfully fight for rebounds against taller players. Defensive intensity has a team-wide effect whether in full or half-court. Showed both range and ability to attack the basket. &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="159360" first="Hannah" last="Archer"] OV Lady Dragons 2021 (Fort Frye, 2022)</strong><img class=" wp-image-194081 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/Hannah-Archer6-216x300.jpg" alt="" width="133" height="185" /> Archer hit from multiple levels with a solid opener performance against Wheeling, canning a couple threes and successfully attacking off the dribble. Like many that Saturday, had trouble scoring off penetration against Erudite’s post defenders but bounced back the next day. Showed why she was the marquee threat on a diverse state-semifinal Fort Frye team. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="159365" first="Abbie" last="Smith"] OV Lady Dragons 2022 (Warren, 2022)</strong><img class=" wp-image-194082 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/Abbie-Smith-173x300.jpg" alt="" width="94" height="163" /> Smith pulled double duty for OVLD and made a noticeable contribution in the paint in every game. Deceptive quickness for size, Smith stick a number of putbacks as well as bodying up to defenders and finishing against contact. Rebounded well on both ends. Led OVLD in scoring against Erudite 2022 and was a factor in every game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153404" first="Josie" last="Montgomery"] OV Lady Dragons 2022 (Calhoun County, 2022)</strong><img class=" wp-image-194083 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/Josie-Montgomery2-201x300.jpg" alt="" width="114" height="171" /> One of two Calhoun Co. 2022s on this roster, Montgomery knocked down some big perimeter and mid-range shots early to help boost OVLD against Erudite 2022 and had a consistent weekend showing. <img class=" wp-image-194084 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/Hannah-Wingrove-158x300.jpg" alt="" width="92" height="176" /><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153401" first="Hannah" last="Wingrove"] OV Lady Dragons 2022 (Parkersburg South, 2022)</strong> Wingrove showed the ability to score in multiple fashions while also holding her own in the rebounding and defensive departments. One of a number of talented players on what figures to be a loaded roster at Parkersburgh South this winter. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153337" first="Bella" last="Abernathy"] Wheeling HS Girls (Wheeling Park, 2021)</strong><img class=" wp-image-194085 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/Bella-Abernathy-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="118" height="179" /> Strong-bodied and quick post, Abernathy displayed a physical presence and ability to attack the basket, both off the dribble and off the rebound. Nice combination of speed and strength. <img class=" wp-image-194086 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/Asia-Robey3-213x300.jpg" alt="" width="112" height="158" /><strong>Asia Roby, Wheeling HS Girls (Wheeling Park, 2021)</strong> Displayed a penchant for attacking the basket off the dribble. Capable shooter but better on the move. Makes quick decisions with the ball when running the offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153336" first="Lindsey" last="Garrison"] Wheeling HS Girls (Wheeling Park, 2021)<img class="wp-image-194087 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/Lindsay-Garrison3-203x300.jpg" alt="" width="118" height="178" /></strong> Incoming senior drawing a lot of attention from Presidents’ Athletic Conference presently, showed why with deep range in knocking down a handful of triples. Better than 40 percent shooter from behind the arc. Not just a spot shooter, Garrison showed driving capabilities. &nbsp;