PGH Midwest Melee: Class of 2024 Missouri Guards

Prep Girls Hoops Missouri takes a look at some of the top Class of 2024 guards/wings from Missouri who competed in last weekend's PGH Midwest Melee, which was held at the HyVee Arena in Kansas City. Ireland Jones (Missouri Flight 2024): A 5'4" point guard from Clever who plays the position in an old-school manner in that she lives to serve others with her floor leadership. She distributes the ball very well and in such a manner that she knows to get the ball to her teammates where they are most comfortable. She is capable of getting a bucket when she needs to while also playing solid defense at the top of the key. Lilly Mahy (Oklahoma Shock-Diaz): A 5'9" guard from Nixa who plays the game with a lot of energy and a high motor. She handles the ball well and she likes to get downhill on the attack. She can also knock down open 3-pointers. She made three triples in a row in a game that I watched on Saturday. She is a confident player who can make things happen with her hustle. [player_tooltip player_id="255514" first="Tara" last="Masten"] (SHOtime Basketball): A 5'7" guard from Parkview who really likes to push the tempo and put the pressure on the defense. She attacks the basket and she never shies away from any contact. She has impressive passing skills as I watched her dropped some nice one-handed dimes while on the move. [player_tooltip player_id="254695" first="Elaina" last="Lobaugh"] (Kansas Elite-Novicoff 2023): A 5'8" combo guard from Barstow who can really ring the bell from 3-point range. She can operate at the point, but she also moves well off the ball as she runs off screens to get herself open to hit perimeter shots. Ava Levings (Flash KC 2024): A 5'5" point guard from Liberty North who is quick and can really turn the corner and get downhill to the basket. In an offense that requires a lot of passing and off ball movement, she makes all of her cuts with purpose and I like how she moves at full speed at all times. That's a little detail that makes such an offense work. Jacy Bray (Oklahoma Shock-Diaz): A 5'8 southpaw guard from Nixa who loves to attack the basket on the drive. She plays with high energy at both ends of the court. She made some solid moves off the dribble from the high post and she is an active rebounder. [player_tooltip player_id="424838" first="Austin" last="Hall"] (SHOtime Basketball): A 5'4" guard from Parkview who can really light it up from 3-point range when she gets a good look. She made four of five in one game. Her range is excellent and she has a quick release. She can also get into the lane and get a bucket amongst the trees inside. Talicia Byrd (KC Royalty 2024): A 5'7" point guard from St. Joe Lafayette who is a solid ball handler who does a good job of advancing the ball upcourt with the pass. She has a nice hesitation move that will freeze a defender just enough for her to get by to the basket. She comes off the high screen well to hit the mid-range jumper from the elbow. Lauren Dittmer (Flash KC 2024): A 5'6" point guard from Park Hill South who plays a very solid overall floor game. She's very good at moving without the ball and scoring on hard cuts to the basket. She anticipates well on defense which results in her getting into the passing lanes and creating turnovers for transition layups.