15U Guards – Knoxville Knockout part 1

The Knoxville Knockout at the Rocky Top Sports World was loaded with talented players in the 15U division.  In this article, we will delve into some of the best Guards in attendance at the event. <strong>Amyannah Tucker - /PG - Troy - Dayton Vipers Elite </strong> The most complete Guard at the event.  In control with the ball and capable of so much offensively on her own and as a distributor to find open shots for her teammates.  In the final seconds of a tied game the ball was in her hands to set up the opportunity that went to her teammate for a great finish ad the win. A great on-ball defender.  Stays on her assignment closely and had the timing to block a pull-up jumper cleanly.  She can set up her shot from the spin dribble, nail the three from the top, knock down the elbow jumper, and made an amazing reverse layup under duress. Tucker is not fast but so long as you can surround her with some good cutters, shooters, and hopefully a solid post player she will put the ball where it needs to be from possession to possession.  She made pass after pass for assists all day long.  Such a mature game for such a young player. <strong>Elaura Cox - 5'6"/PG - Oakland - EAB Tennessee </strong> Cox plays high-pressure defense and has elite speed both with and without the ball.  She not only has a quick first step, all of the steps following the first are also quick.  If she finds a seam to the paint she is through it for the short jumper of layup almost immediately. Not as fast at turning the corner as she is straight ahead.  Maybe that is something she could improve on but I don't know what advice to give to explain how. So when you see my advice at times telling you to find a coach and then find the next one because they can all teach you things but they can't all teach you everything.  That applies to me too. <strong>Emm</strong><strong>a Lakes - 5'6"/CG - Oakland - EAB Tennessee </strong> <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Combined with teammate, Cox (above), they are a terror at the front of a press.  Each forcing mistakes that the other capitalizes on and takes to the rim.  Both Guards have great speed and the ability to get into the paint.  </span>Lakes also has top straight-ahead speed and very quick feet with and without the ball. I wasn't wearing my glasses during the game so their faces were a blur to me due to the lighting and the speed in which they traveled.  I made me think they could be twins or sisters during the game.  They have such a similar game and are relatively the same size. I thought I was seeing the next coming of the Linsey twins, Alyssa and Monica, who will begin playing for Tusculum next season.  It is more obvious they are not twnis when they stop running. <strong>Joy Minniefield - 5'4"/PG - Hueytown - Alabama Twisters Elite </strong> Great at reading the defense to take what they give her with the skills to convert points in numerous ways.  A three-level scorer with the ability to create her own shot and the court vision to set up teammates.  Made threes from 2 feet deep with a nice forward release, 14-foot pull-ups, a running hook over shot blockers, Needs to improve flexibility in her hips, and hand quickness to be able to keep the ball lower on the dribble through traffic against the press. <strong>Ti'yah Parker - 5'6"/CG - West Currollton - Team DBA </strong> A defensive terror with good speed that can turn defense into layups and short jumpers in a hurry.  Parker has excellent defensive foot speed, active hands, and a nose for the ball.  She is also fairly aggressive chasing down the long rebounds.