PGH Midwest Melee: Saturday’s Missouri Standouts

<p style="padding-left: 40px;">The Prep Girls Hoops Midwest Melee got underway on Saturday at the HyVee Arena in Kansas City. PGH Missouri takes a look at some Missouri players who caught our eye during the first day of action.</p> Anastyn Pettlon (Kansas Elite 2023-Novicoff): The 5’4" 2023 point guard from Maryville looked the part of the consummate floor general in the game that I watched her. She could organize the team and distribute the ball very well. She also displayed some impressive range from 3-point territory. She displayed a quick first step to beat defenders to get into the lane for runners. Taylor Blehm (Missouri Flight 2024): A 5’11" 2024 forward from Marion C. Early who had an impressive performance on Saturday afternoon in a victory over SHOtime basketball. She scored a game-high 20 points while displaying a versatile skill set. She showcased some excellent footwork and mobility in the low post, which led to some easy buckets. She also stepped out and knocked down a pair of high-arching 3-pointers off the catch. What I also liked about her was that she was a willing and very effective screener to get her teammates open. Katie Mihelic (Flash KC 2023): A 6’0" 2023 forward from Liberty who impressed me with the variety of ways that she could get buckets in the low post. There was one play where she executed a little dream shake and hit a short jumper off the glass over her left shoulder. She also made good use of pump fakes inside to go along with her good footwork. Lilly Mahy (Oklahoma Shock-Diaz 2024): 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 and attack the basket. She can also knock down open 3-pointers. In one game I watched, she hit three triples from the right wing in about a two minute span. She is a confident player who can make things happen with her hustle. [player_tooltip player_id="170611" first="Charlie" last="Broaden"] (KC Royalty 2023, pictured): A 6’1" 2023 wing from St. Joe’s Central who has the ability to impact the game at both ends of the floor with her height and length. She is a solid ball handler and playmaker who can get to the basket with her long stride. She can also score inside against smaller defenders. She is also a versatile defender who can block a shot inside or go on the perimeter and get deflections and disrupt with her wingspan. Rylee Vierthaler (Kansas Elite 2023-Novicoff): A 5’11" 2023 forward from Maryville who did an excellent job in the low post against taller players. Her mobility inside was very good as she was always on the balls of her feet ready to move in either direction. She stayed low when she posted up and displayed quick feet and some good fundamentals to score inside. &nbsp; &nbsp;