AC Mount Rushmore: Harmon-y in X Major

Photo: Anna Kitch

Bash Hudson

May 24, 2022 @ 08:38 PM

This past weekend, I traveled down to New Jersey for the Select Events Atlantic City Showcase. Over 30 courts were flooded with talent and college coaches from all over the country, resulting in a highly competitive and fun three days of basketball. I was flying from court to court observing the Northeast prospects, and below are the 4 I saw who had the most eye-popping performances representing New York.   [player_tooltip player_id="413838" first="Leah" last="Harmon"]|Exodus EYBL|5’6’’|PG|’24 [caption id="attachment_434664" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/56E3A4E6-0B16-4889-B080-E6B01C69B65F-crop-1537x1010-1653442429.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-434664" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/56E3A4E6-0B16-4889-B080-E6B01C69B65F-crop-1537x1010-1653442429-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Anna Kitch[/caption] Harmon was one of the most impressive players I saw in Atlantic City, and it had everything to do with how she played down the stretch in close games. Exodus 17u EYBL squad went 5-0 last weekend playing in a tough bracket, and Harmon’s dynamic playmaking was key to the victories that I saw. She is poised and in command of the moment and never got sped up. Harmon also made some brilliant passes in the open court. The accuracy, touch, and velocity behind each dish were eye-popping, and she also took care of the ball at pivotal points during the game. Harmon controlled the game’s tempo and showed good burst and explosion getting to the rim. All around, I thought that Harmon was fantastic.   [player_tooltip player_id="434661" first="Brianna" last="Barr-Buday"]| XGEN Elite|6’2’’|PF|’24 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-434662" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/BDFD44DD-3582-4878-8EC8-052A4CB52C77-crop-1537x1010-1653442360-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> A few weeks ago, I saw glimpses of Barr-Buday’s game and impact at Spooky Nook and liked her size and physical play on the block. Fast forward to Atlantic City, and she was one of my favorite players to watch because of her endless motor and high-level impact on the glass. Barr-Buday uses her body well to get inside position down low and has superior strength to push anyone out of the paint. She is an excellent finisher, has good hands, and plays through contact. Barr-Buday put continuous pressure on the defense because she was always in motion and never stagnant on the offensive end.   [player_tooltip player_id="422315" first="Amya" last="McLeod"]| I-90 Elite|5’6’’| PG|’23 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-434658" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/B9776EB8-FE06-4BEB-AEF8-F73521A94C01-crop-1440x946-1653442080-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> McLeod’s was one of the most intense competitors I watched over the weekend. Her tenacious on-ball defense was what separated her from other players I saw. She is always sitting in her stance and has the elite lateral speed to cut off driving angles. She also isn’t afraid to get in the ball-handlers’ air space and make them uncomfortable. McLeod’s tone-setting on both sides of the ball and intangibles make her extremely valuable at the 1. McLeod is tough, commands the floor every possession, and is a winner.   [player_tooltip player_id="413855" first="Kayleigh" last="Heckel"]| Exodus EYBL|5’9’’|PG|’24 [caption id="attachment_434656" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/B3F0D7DE-3C63-40F6-95AE-6C812EDFA883-crop-1537x1010-1653442013.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-434656" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/B3F0D7DE-3C63-40F6-95AE-6C812EDFA883-crop-1537x1010-1653442013-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Anna Kitch[/caption] Heckel’s physical profile jumps out at you immediately. She is a long and athletic 5’9’’ floor general who was unstoppable in transition over the weekend. Any shot she wanted, she got and effortlessly got to her spots all game long. Heckel’s change of speed and direction in the open court kept the defense on their heels, and she showcased a lethal pull up from mid-long range. Heckel carried the offensive load against I-90 Elite, and whether it be creating shots for herself or teammates, the opposition had no answer for her. She was a confident decision-maker, and once Heckel got downhill, the way she contorted her body in the air and finished at the rim was highly impressive. She is one of the best ’24 guards I have seen in both New England and New York.