Alyx’s PGH Weekend Standouts
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Well this is going to be a little different because due to last-minute change, I ended up having to watch games from my computer this weekend. As a result, I found myself flipping between tournaments, so my standouts in this…
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Continue ReadingWell this is going to be a little different because due to last-minute change, I ended up having to watch games from my computer this weekend. As a result, I found myself flipping between tournaments, so my standouts in this article are actually being pulled from PGH’s Victory and Triumph Region Finals both.
Brooke Campbell | Class of 2025 | Richmond Heat 2025 (15U Triumph Region Finals Champions)
I’ve seen a lot of players discussed from both of the Richmond Heat squads that won the Triumph Region, and every single one of those players has been 100% deserving of all the things that have been said about them. However, Brooke Campbell is another player that definitely needs to be mentioned. In my opinion, she is like the glue of the squad. While she does a great job shooting the ball from the outside and can drive to the hoop, Campbell doesn’t need to score to make a big impact. She makes excellent passes and distributes the ball, she defends, she runs the floor, she hustles, and she does all the things that don’t always show up in the stat sheet, but certainly makes a difference for her team. That was on full display this weekend as she helped her team secure win after win and bring home the championship.
Ma’kiya West Ma’kiya West 5'11" | SF Louisville Male | 2023 State KY | Class of 2023 | Kentucky Ice Select 2023 (17U Victory Region Finals Runner-Up)
Speaking of glue players, West definitely fits the mold as she consistently makes a difference on the floor whether she’s scoring or not. However, she has the ability to score at all 3 levels and can put up big numbers in any given game. She can use a variety of post moves to score inside, or she can step out to the mid-range or 3-point line and knock shots down. West comes ready to battle every game and it’s impossible to not notice her working on the boards. She can get tough rebounds and she puts herself in great positions. While she doesn’t always lead her team in scoring, she seems to always make an impact on the game in some way or another.
Janiesse Armstrong Janiesse Armstrong 5'3" | PG Elizabethtown | 2023 State KY | Class of 2023 | Team Firstep 2023 (17U Victory Region Finals Final Four)
Armstrong is so strong and she plays so hard. She’s a true floor general with her ability to see the floor and deliver the pass, even through traffic. She isn’t afraid to be physical and you can really see that on her drives as she consistently finishes through contact at the rim. However, she makes the defense play her close as she also shoots the ball at a high percentage. Armstrong has excellent handles and she does a great job changing speeds. She is always willing to make the extra pass and she recognizes where the open player is. She also crashes the boards well and comes up with rebounds.
Gracyn Grantz Gracyn Grantz 5'9" | SF Lafayette | 2023 State KY | Class of 2023 | Richmond Heat 2023 (17U Triumph Region Finals Champions)
Grantz seems like the kind of player that coaches would love to coach and other players would love to play with. She gets more excited for her teammates successes than she does her own, but her teammates definitely seem to love watching her succeed. She was lighting it up all weekend long, but she was also doing all of the other little things like defending, making excellent passes, rebounding, etc. She works so hard when she’s out there. She can create for teammates, but she is an excellent shooter herself. She’s got great range on her shot and she catches ready to shoot. Grantz works to cut and find the openings as well. She also does an excellent job on the defensive end of the floor.
Sha’ron Tidwell & Taylor Broughton | Class of 2024 | Team Firstep 2024 (16U Victory Region Finals Champions)
I didn’t get to see Team Firstep’s 2024 team as much as I would’ve liked this weekend, but honestly, all of their players caught my eye at some point or another while I watched them play. However, Tidwell and Broughton were 2 players I had down for both of the games I watched. Tidwell is always ready to battle and she can absolutely dominate the stat sheet in any given game. She has good moves around the basket and can shift her body to get tough buckets, but she can also step out and shoot the ball. Defensively, she’s a great shot blocker and rebounder. Her versatility is certainly a big strength in her game. Broughton also brings versatility, and can take the ball up the floor or play on the perimeter. She handles the ball and pressure really well. She’s strong and she makes strong drives to the basket, but she can also score in the mid-range or from 3. Broughton doesn’t have to score a ton of points to be effective out there though, and she is always looking to get her teammates involved. Both Broughton and Tidwell played a major role in helping their team secure the championship this weekend.