Knockdown Shooters from PGH Dynasty Region Kick Off (2024)

Here is my list of some impressive ladies who really showed off their ability to knockdown shots from the perimeter at a very high clip at the Prep Girls Hoops Dynasty Region Kick Off! These are some of the best shooters that I saw from the 2024 class. Look for them to have some stellar play throughout the next few circuit months. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="249262" first="Ella" last="Martin"]</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">2024 6’1 Union High School, OK (Team Griffin Elite 2024 Owens)</span> Ella is the ideal stretch forward with her ability to play inside out and stretch the floor from the midrange and beyond the arc. She was very impressive and calmly knocked down shot after shot from the perimeter after her lead guard ([player_tooltip player_id="249281" first="Seldon" last="Stover"] 2024) drew the defenses attention. The two of them have a real connection in the half court, if Stover ever feels the big collapse on her she calmly found Martin flashing to the midrange or the arc for an open look. I was also very impressed with their connection in the pick and roll/ pop. Martin always seemed to make the right decision on whether to slip the screen, get the switch and dominate in the paint or knock down a shot from the free throw line. Ella did not just dominate on the offensive end, she dominated on the perimeter and in the paint on defense as well. She showed a high level ability to move her feet and keep guards in front of her, and even had an emphatic block on a jumper on the perimeter. She anchors their defense in the back and allows them to pressure the ball on the perimeter and funnel the opponent into her waiting arms. <strong>Za’Kenya Thompson</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">2024 5’6 Spring High School, TX (Houston Lady Nets 2024)</span> Za’Kenya is a skilled guard who sees the floor well and can initiate offense for her teammates. I was very impressed with her confidence with a live dribble and ability to turn the corner and get out of traps in the full court. She was good at keeping her head up and stepping through the small gaps that were left in the trap, she calmly squeezed through just as the defense got there and kept her head up to deliver an accurate pass down the court. She has the ability to put soft touch on her passes in the full court to effortlessly find her teammates in stride. She calmly made the right decisions when passing the ball around the perimeter, and allowed her team to hunt for the best shot possible.  I was very impressed with her ability to play out of the pick and roll as well, she constantly made the right decisions and even pulled up from beyond the arc when given enough space. Her ability to knock down shots off the bounce was very impressive, even after manipulating the defense with crossovers. <strong>Tristyn Krikes</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">2024 5’8 High School, OK (Oklahoma Aces 2024 Vick)</span> Tristyn is a sharp shooting guard who can hurt you as a catch and shoot weapon or by getting downhill and whipping creative passes out to her shooters. She has a quick release and always stays ready when she is operating without the ball on the wings and corners. She was a consistent shooter when given a glimmer of space and time to set her feet, and really punished the defense from the outside all weekend. When operating with a live dribble, she showed an ability to draw the defense’s attention by getting two feet into the paint and then finding her teammates under the basket or on the back side. She had a very impressive play where she looked off the defense and found her teammate wide open in the corner for an easy look. I was impressed with her calmness with the basketball, and her willingness to create for her teammates and hunt for the best shot possible. She even rebounded the ball well for a guard, and always looked to push the fast break after grabbing a rebound. <strong>Tylyn Thurman</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">2024 5’4 Shawnee High School, OK (Supreme Trotters 2024)</span> Tylyn is a sharp shooting guard who has the ability to score from all three levels, depending on what the defense gives her. She calmly dribbles into midrange looks and showed an ability to knock down shots beyond the arc off the dribble. She thrives off the catch and shoot and loves to space the floor and spot up in the corners. She is good at staying ready to shoot, and does not rush or take bad shots. She waits for the defense to over rotate or be late coming out to contest before calmly shooting the ball. On the defensive side of the ball, she moves her feet well and knows when to trap the ball handler in the full court press. Her active hands and feet allow her to wreak havoc and float from sideline to sideline covering ball handlers. I would like to see her work on her ability to handle the ball and attack the rim with a live dribble. <strong>Naomi Asmelash</strong> 2024 5'7 Dulles High School, TX (Showcase Elite 2024) Naomi is a sharp shooting guard who can do it all on both ends of the floor, which pairs well with her floor spacing ability. She is a knock down shooter from the midrange, and showed an ability to space the court. She is good at keeping her head up and making the right reads, especially in the full court. I loved her ability to push the ball in the full court and take whatever look the defense gives her. On the defensive end of the floor, she actively moves her feet and arms and closes out hard on shooters on the perimeter. I loved her tenacity to close out on shooters, even when she was on the opposite side of the floor. She screamed over to get a hand in her opponents face. She is good at getting long rebounds and stealing passes and making the right reads to punish the defense on the fast break.