AC Mount Rushmore: Wrighter Block

<p style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">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 England. </span></p> &nbsp; <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="184007" first="Abigail" last="Wright"]| MCW Starz|6’2’’|SF/PF|’23</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_434008" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/1F9EF236-A30C-4465-B5DB-911D4CA24574-crop-1440x946-1653342046.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-434008" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/1F9EF236-A30C-4465-B5DB-911D4CA24574-crop-1440x946-1653342046-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: [player_tooltip player_id="355399" first="Anna" last="Kitch"]3[/caption] <p style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The MCW Starz played against some of the most elite competition at the Atlantic City Showcase, and no one stood out more than Wright, who battled with some of the best down low. Despite being 6’2’’, Wright was at a size disadvantage but continuously fought for rebounds and putbacks in a grueling matchup vs. Team Takeover. She has been playing at a high level all spring long, but her weekend performance validated that. She stepped outside and hit threes, finishing through contact and opening up the guards with back-breaking screens. Wright showed that her game and style of play translated seamlessly, not just against the competition in New England, but all along the east coast. </span></p> &nbsp; <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="184016" first="Amelia" last="Hanscom"]| NE Crusaders|5’11’’|SG/SF|23</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_434006" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/D6C1852E-D15D-4941-9A6C-7BA57090CD33-crop-1364x896-1653341916.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-434006" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/D6C1852E-D15D-4941-9A6C-7BA57090CD33-crop-1364x896-1653341916-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: [player_tooltip player_id="355399" first="Anna" last="Kitch"][/caption] <p style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prior to the showcase, I posted a watch list of prospects who I thought would have a big weekend. Hanscom was on that list and did not disappoint. In fact, she exceeded my expectations, and the Atlantic City Showcase was the best basketball I have seen her play. Hanscom’s confidence was through the roof, and her unselfishness shined in each game. Her decision-making, ball handling, and passing were eye-opening. Hanscom was performing against top-tier prospects and showed that she has the skill set and IQ to keep up with the best. She is a bonafide top 40 player in ’23 and considering her toughness, competitiveness, and development over the past couple of months, there aren’t many players at Hanscom’s position I’d take over her.  </span></p> &nbsp; <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="184009" first="Selina" last="Monestime"]| MCW Starz| 5’10’’|SG/SF|’23</strong></p> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-434003" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/1B412BC7-9F2A-4FCA-9390-959C616F1F97-crop-1537x1010-1653341747-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Monestime had another impressive performance that should not be surprising considering how well she’s played all spring. She never settles for bad shots and always puts pressure on the defense with relentless basket attacks. I thought her finishing was the strongest part of her game over the weekend, and Monestime challenged every rim protector she came across. I like how Monestime embraces physicality and will out tough her opponent. No matter how many times Monestime got knocked to the ground, she would get back up and continue to go at her opponent, providing consistent scoring on the wing for MCW.</span></p> &nbsp; <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="184118" first="Sierra" last="Carson"]| Maine Attraction| 5’7’’|PG|’23</strong></p> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-434000" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/7E13D6B7-EF51-49B3-9F2C-181DBC73CB9F-crop-1299x853-1653341658-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Carson didn’t just get my head to turn, but those of the rows of college coaches viewing from the baseline as well She has been an explosive scorer all spring long and carried that momentum into Atlantic City. Carson’s athleticism and quickness played a significant role in her shot creation off the dribble. Carson found success scoring from all three levels and hit a few impressive contested long-range jump shots. I loved Carson’s competitiveness and how she gave max effort on every possession.</span></p>