Dynasty Region KickOff: 17U GameChangers
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A new and recurring segment after each Prep Girls Hoops Circuit event will be our GameChangers series. Bringing you the best scorekeeping, live video streaming, and team management services of any mobile app on the market, GameChanger is a product every grassroots team in the country can use to better serve their players and their families.
So, what makes a Prep Girls Hoops “GameChanger?” Well, that is in the eye of the beholder really. Last weekend I beheld a lot of players who changed the game with their heart, hustle, leadership, and defensive intensity. For most of these players, the team they play for just was not the same without them on the court. They literally changed the game just by their presence on the floor. Take a look at the GameChangers from the Dynasty Region KickOff last weekend in Dallas!
Mirakle Anderson | 5-5 PG | El Paso Lady Hurricanes / Eastwood | 2023 | @JustMirakle
I asked Mirakle on the second day of the tourney why her jersey had the name “Juggernaut” across the back. She looked down and quietly said, “because my Dad says I’m an unstoppable force,” in a mousy, falsetto voice that totally belies her headstrong style of play on the hardwood. Well, her Dad’s not wrong. Mirakle is a force to be reckoned with. A defensive GameChanger who can seemingly score at will, Anderson has the ability to take over a game for her El Paso squad. She is a coach on the floor and lets her game do the talking. Last weekend her game was shouting and it said “MIRAKLE IS A GAMECHANGER!”
Kaelynn Duncan Kaelynn Duncan 5'7" | SG Bartlesville | 2023 State OK | 5-7 G/F | Team Griffin OK PwR / Bartlesville | 2023 | @DuncanKaelynn
Did I mention changing the game with defense? Yeah, that’s what KK does. She did it all season at Bartlesville and that carried over to this past weekend in Dallas. She applies relentless pressure on the opposing ballhandler and forces a ton of turnovers. She is a tough player who is unafraid to get down and dirty and do all of the little things that need to be done. Duncan can also fill it up from long range, leading Team Griffin OK PwR to an undefeated weekend while averaging 10 points per game. She is a GameChanger in a lot of different ways and you’re definitely going to want to check this squad out on their next PGH Circuit stop!
Taneya Howard Taneya Howard 5'11" | PF Broken Arrow | 2023 State OK | 5-10 PF | Banshees / Broken Arrow | 2023 | @taneyahowardba1
I am always happy to go to any tournament that Taneya Howard Taneya Howard 5'11" | PF Broken Arrow | 2023 State OK is going to be at. The best part about it is sitting courtside and just listening to college coaches or scouts marvel at her athleticism and work ethic. She never takes a play off. She gives maximum effort on every possession, offense and defense. Add in the fact that she is tremendously athletically gifted and you have the makings of one of the biggest GameChangers in Dallas last weekend. She averaged double-digits in points and just from watching I’d have to say potentially in rebounds, as well. Taneya is one of the best post players in any building she steps in and you college coaches are going to want to get in touch sooner rather than later. Trust me.
Meredith Mayes Meredith Mayes 6'3" | C Bixby | 2023 State OK | 6-2 P | Team Griffin Elite / Bixby | 2023 | @MeredithM2023
Speaking of big-time post players who can definitely change a game, let’s talk about Meredith Mayes Meredith Mayes 6'3" | C Bixby | 2023 State OK . Potentially the only Division-I “big” in the house at Drive Nation last weekend, Meredith OWNED the paint of any court she was on. She is not only a shot swatting machine, but she also can flat out score it in the paint. Her footwork has drastically improved over the last few years and she has become one of the best “bigs” in the entire state. Mayes is headed to Abilene Christian with Bixby teammate Gracy Wernli Gracy Wernli 5'9" | SG Bixby | 2023 State OK and I’m afraid it could spell big trouble for the rest of the Western Athletic Conference.
Viveon Pierre | 5-6 CG | 3T Nation / Summer Creek | 2022 | Hudl
It’s clear to see from Viveon’s play that this young lady has played a LOT of basketball. Her ability to read the play defensively was almost unmatched on the courts of Drive Nation during the PGH Dynasty Region KickOff. She played the passing lanes like she had scouted the other teams’ offenses. She dished out one-handed, laser beam passes all over the court. Not to mention she almost averaged double-digits for the weekend with some huge shooting games. She is a good-sized guard who is unafraid to mix it up and get physical. She is tough and can compete with just about anyone. If you still need a 2022 guard that will do all of the little things, look no further.
Kamen Wong | 5-3 PG | Lady Jets / Liberty | 2022 | Hudl
If there were such an award as the “Ultimate GameChanger” from last weekend, I would be giving it to Wong. As the only soon-to-be graduating senior on a team full of juniors, it is clear to see who is the leader of this very good Lady Jets squad. When Kamen is on the court, things are under control. She is a calming presence as she never gets sped up by defensive pressure. She runs plays with precision, makes the right pass at the right time, and can hit the shot from all three levels as needed. She showed great on-ball defense and a true knack for coming up with a defensive stop at just the right time. Kamen is interested in playing D-III basketball and if you have a spot on your squad, you really need to reach out. She is the kind of player that winning teams are made of.