Bash's Pyramid: Class of '22 | Prep Girls Hoops

"Bash’s Pyramid" is just a way to separate players into tiers based on their performance rather than rank them 1-10. My thought process was if I can break the top 10 into tiers reminiscent of a pyramid, it might give a better depiction of the player’s level of play throughout a weekend. All the players listed in my eyes played exceptionally well and caught my attention for different reasons. For tiers 4 and 3, I shared verbatim some of the notes I took in real-time during their game. For the top 2 tiers, I provided analysis on what separated them from the rest of the field. Here is how Bash’s Pyramid looks for the class of 2022 from the games I observed.   Tier 4:   [player_tooltip player_id="184112" first="Anna" last="Nelson"] - Gorham/Maine Attraction - 5’6’’ - PG PGH Rank: WL <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/Jc31ZPG1RLOwOveAVJriDg-scaled-crop-1732x1137-1618849384.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-275232" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/Jc31ZPG1RLOwOveAVJriDg-scaled-crop-1732x1137-1618849384-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Physical point guard/digs in on defense</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Took care of the ball</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Great halfcourt facilitator</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Leadership intangibles/teammates want to play with her</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Knockdown shooter</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id="263833" first="Olivia" last="Found"] - Bishop Fenwick/Evolution - 5’7’’ - PG PGH Rank: #27 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/bbr1Yk4yRgG903gBocgvA-scaled-crop-1725x1133-1618849328.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-275230" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/bbr1Yk4yRgG903gBocgvA-scaled-crop-1725x1133-1618849328-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Tough-nosed on-ball defender</li> <li aria-level="1">Keeps ball handler in front/moves well East to West</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Great feel for the game</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Good court awareness</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Aggressive penetration</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id="263805" first="Oralye" last="Kiefer"] - Brimmer and May/Bay State Jaguars - 6’3’’ - PF/C PGH Rank: #14 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-275228" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/psQnmT4vTuAgQC3DwMTA-scaled-crop-2202x1446-1618849228-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Catches in traffic/great hands</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Soft-touch around basket</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Best catch and shoot big from the weekend </li> <li aria-level="1">Unbothered by closeouts</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Runs floor well/consistent rim running </li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id="263929" first="Riley" last="Griffin"] - Middleboro/MT Elite - 5’8’’ - PG/SG/SF PGH Rank: WL <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-275226" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/M2GNFPiQhiJiSVyo0Qhsw-scaled-crop-1660x1090-1618849109-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Knows how to get open/timely cuts</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Uses athleticism well to create separation from the defense</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Pass intercepter/covers a lot of ground</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Aggressive slasher and finisher</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Length and athletic ability make her a tough cover for opposing PG’s/ very explosive when going right</li> </ul> https://x.com/BashHoopsNE/status/1383458305238913030 Tier 3:   [player_tooltip player_id="264678" first="Rachel" last="Ullstrom"] - Marianapolis/Lady Jaguars - 6’1’’ - SF/PF PGH Rank: #8 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-275223" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/03/nVDY8rxRMGdMkkiMEvbgA-scaled-crop-1503x987-1618848934-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Very efficient spot-up shooter </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Shot-release is quick and confident with no hesitation</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Defends every position with the same intensity and prowess</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">High defensive IQ/ Only one on the team who consistently is in the right position on defense </li> <li aria-level="1">Versatile defender-comfortable guarding smaller guards</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id="264679" first="Laura" last="Mendell"] - Tabor/Bay State Jaguars - 5’9’’ - PG PGH Rank: #9 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/FpvkxPpQY6GyHqEQYmLog-scaled-crop-1866x1225-1618848899.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-275222" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/FpvkxPpQY6GyHqEQYmLog-scaled-crop-1866x1225-1618848899-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Fierce competitor</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Best on-ball defender</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hard to keep from the basket in the halfcourt</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Endless motor</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Crashes glass relentlessly</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Good Leader/Excellent teammate who leads by example</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Proficient outside shooter</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id="184091" first="Jaycie" last="Christopher"] - Skowhegan/Maine Attraction - 6’0’’ - SF/SG PGH Rank: #25 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-275207" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/5amxrlMRKCjipaeSIgCBA-scaled-crop-1204x791-1618848082-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Physical and punishing wing</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Lethal mid-range dribble pull-up</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Excellent three-point shooter</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Human microwave-heats up quick</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">A three-level scorer who finishes through contact</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Versatile defender/can guard the perimeter and post effectively</li> </ul>   TIER 2   [player_tooltip player_id="263799" first="Samantha" last="Dewey"] - Brooks/Lady Rivals - 6’2’’ - PF/SF PGH Rank: #12 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/wSvc4rOwTC6PLNjL4pUZHg-scaled-crop-1703x1118-1618848801.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-275218" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/wSvc4rOwTC6PLNjL4pUZHg-scaled-crop-1703x1118-1618848801-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Last week, by Dewey’s standards, she was off her game, particularly against the Bay State Jaguars. Over the past couple of days, I saw Dewey go to a level I am not sure many players can reach. She played with this chip on her shoulder, particularly against the rematch against the Jaguars that set a tone for the Lady Rivals on both sides of the ball. I was very impressed by Dewey’s work around the rim. All weekend long, she got deep post position and finished strong at the rim. Dewey’s recovery defense was on display as she had a couple of loud rejections that sent a clear message that she was the best big on the court. She controlled the interior for the Lady Rivals, and most of her damage came from the block. Dewey competed hard and consistently played with that intensity throughout the weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id="263848" first="Sarah" last="Talon"] - Windham/Maine Attraction - 5’10’’ - CG PGH Rank: #15 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/SAWLdleGR6s5l7bBFEz1w-scaled-crop-1204x791-1618848146.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-275209" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/SAWLdleGR6s5l7bBFEz1w-scaled-crop-1204x791-1618848146-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>   Talon is one of the most athletic guards I have seen. Her vertical is eye-popping, and she puts it to good use by rebounding at a high rate and shot-altering. No one that I saw closes out more aggressive than Talon. She is arguably the best shot-blocking guard who always gets her fingertips on shot attempts when she closes in on her opponent. Talon passes at a high level, and what makes her special is that she puts the pass where her teammate should be. Talon has mastered the art of the lead pass, whether it be chest or bounce, which results in dozens of transition points. Her dexterity when handling the ball is unlike anything I have seen. Talon shoots with her left hand but dribbles and creates offense, mostly with her right. That versatility makes her impossible to guard and mixed with her 5’10’’ frame and elite athleticism, Talon is one of the most unique players in her class. She should be on everyone’s watchlist. https://x.com/BashHoopsNE/status/1383462820025573386 TIER 1:   [player_tooltip player_id="263832" first="Taina" last="Mair"] - Brooks/Lady Rivals - 5’8’’ - PG - Boston College commit   PGH Rank: #3 <img class="size-medium wp-image-275200 alignnone" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/fR3BiyCrTkuuddwoQgSlbw-scaled-crop-1755x1152-1618847754-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Mair makes basketball look like a walk in the park. A fascinating athlete to watch, Mair didn’t seem to break a sweat showcasing her elite handle and jaw-dropping playmaking ability. She made her most significant impact against the Bay State Jaguars. In a game that found the Lady Rivals trailing, Mair took over by confidently hitting threes well beyond the three-point line and by her penetration. Mair’s comfort hitting contested jump shots and pull-ups off the dribble is scary. She is a handful to guard one on one due to her quick first step and handle; but, when she is coming off screens and drilling jumpers or catching and pulling up from long range with the defender in her shorts, it’s breathtaking. Besides the scoring, Mair was facilitating and setting up her teammates creating wide-open looks. Mair recognized the open player and delivered the pass on time and under control, whether it be a kick out to a shooter or a dump down to a big. She is one of the few players you see at every level of basketball, who can turn on the switch at any point during a game, and when she decides to go to that highest gear, there are only a few who can meet Mair at that peak.   https://x.com/BashHoopsNE/status/1383501678897291271   https://x.com/BashHoopsNE/status/1383789854010474509