Pentagon Hardwood Challenge: Standouts & Stock-Risers – Part 2

Pentagon Hardwood Challenge: Standouts &#038; Stock-Risers &#8211; Part 2

Spencer Christenson

June 17, 2022 @ 04:25 AM

Games viewed: Pentagon Schoolers-Brown vs. Ambush North Stars-Williams Dakota Niners vs. Sacred Hoops-Boomsma [player_tooltip player_id="166649" first="Jada" last="Burke"] - 5’9 G 2023 - De Smet - Ambush North Stars - Jada has been mentioned a few times in the past few months, and for good reason. She played with another gear at the Pentagon Hardwood Challenge. She played much faster and more explosive than her counterparts. [player_tooltip player_id="100472" first="Mallory" last="Miller"] - 6’4 PF/C 2023 - Aberdeen Christian - Ambush North Stars - I’ve seen Mallory play a good deal, but what really stood out was her passing ability at 6’4, and her ability to finish smoothly with her left hand. Left-handed swishes off the glass. She protected the paint and was blocking and adjusting shots as she always does. [player_tooltip player_id="100507" first="Ashley" last="Bjerke"] - 5’9 G 2023 - Sioux Valley - Ambush North Stars - Ashley played her game and within the game. She hit her shot and took the open and smart play. She was very solid and she rose her stock. Showed very impressive movement and playing speed. Ashley’s ranking will be adjusted upwards. [player_tooltip player_id="342174" first="Leah" last="Williams"] - 5’8 G/F 2023 - Wolsey-Wessington - Ambush North Stars - Leah’s stock has been gaining steady traction ever since she joined the PGH Dakotas Top 250 EXPO. She’s playing with legitimate guard-like skills that continue to develop. At the Hardwood Challenge she was playing very aggressively and confidently offensively. Handled the ball a lot and was weaving through the defense. Showed a quick release from three and swished one in the corner. Leah played with great speed with the ball in the open court and did a good job finishing her contested layups. She becomes very creative when she gets in the lane. [player_tooltip player_id="166653" first="Moriah" last="Harrison"] - 5’7 G 2023 - Pentagon Schoolers - Moriah rose her stock in my eyes. She played heavy-pressure defense and showed elite movement and speed on that side of the ball. She used her quickness to get in the lane and kick-out to shooters. Has some refinement to do offensively, but is clearly one of the better movers and athletes in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="375711" first="Brooklyn" last="Brandriet"] - 5’4 G 2023 - Hamlin - Dakota Niners - Brooklyn has been improving and gaining confidence in a big way. She controlled the pace and the ball very well. She played the point for the Dakota Niners and ran the show. Her handle on the ball was very impressive and she could back-dribble and relieve pressure very well. She was showing-off all of the ball-handling moves — between the legs, behind the back, wrap-arounds, etc. She rebounded very well for a small guard and had a knack for tracking down the ball and finding it. She would grab a board and smoothly and quickly bring the ball up. She’s showing herself to be a next-level point guard. [player_tooltip player_id="100494" first="Mackenzie" last="Everson"] - 5’7 G 2023 - Castewood - Dakota Niners - Mackenzie is a skilled player off-the-dribble. Has good quickness and change of direction with the ball, in both open court and half-court settings. Her and Brandriet ran the floor well and had a two-man game going for fast-breaks. She can play the point and is a skilled passer, especially in a ball-screen and roll situation. Very quick lateral feet on defense. She’s tough to penetrate by. [player_tooltip player_id="404262" first="Marissa" last="Bawdon"] - 5’8 SG 2024 - Hamlin - Dakota Niners - Marissa was a pleasant surprise and rose her stock. Her athleticism and movement stood-out. Not an elite athlete, but she showed promise. Had a better than expected skill with the ball as a handler and passer. Has a good jumper that she’s not afraid to pull either.