Bash Favs: The Select 40- #40-#31

I traveled to Indiana to cover the Select 40 Session II and was blown away by the amount of high-end talent. Every region of the country was represented, and there were some very competitive matchups. Dozens of players stood out, and I compiled a list of my 40 favorite performers from the Select 40. Below are favorites 40-31.   #40 [caption id="attachment_460537" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/C03C977C-001B-41F3-989E-746BC326F667-crop-1367x898-1657842319.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-460537" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/C03C977C-001B-41F3-989E-746BC326F667-crop-1367x898-1657842319-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Meredith Ryan[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="276829" first="Adison" last="Markowski"]|Nebraska Supreme|5’8’’|SG|’23 I liked Markowski’s offensive approach on Day 1. She showed the ability to create and make shots from every level and executed at a high frequency. Against a tough MCW Starz defense prone to speed guards up and force turnovers, I thought Markowski kept her composure and found ways to convert still. She put pressure on the defense with her three-point shooting and also attacked the basket strong.   #39 [player_tooltip player_id="189302" first="Layne" last="Sleight"]| Michigan Mystics|5’8’’|PG|’23 I watched Sleight a couple of times over the past few days, and she grew on me a lot. She is a point guard, but I liked how she impacted the game off the ball. Sleight has a high IQ and wasn’t stagnant on offense, always finding an opening in the defense to shoot. She also has the size to play both guard positions. Sleight is strong enough and has good foot speed to keep up with 2 guards defensively, and she doesn’t need the basketball to be valuable on the court.   #38 [player_tooltip player_id="441063" first="Nicole" last="Chuang"]|Troop West|5’9’’|SG|’23 I was drawn to Chuang’s offensive arsenal; she scored impressively off the dribble. Chuang does everything with purpose and at full speed, making her difficult to defend. The change of pace, hesitation dribbles, and footwork adds to Chuang’s three-level scoring potency. Chuang is a confident and skilled playmaker and will make dazzling plays in the open and halfcourt.   #37 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-460540" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/0D7DFF04-B8B9-461E-A76B-61752E00AFC2-crop-994x653-1657842587-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="415921" first="Bella" last="Pucci"]|I-90 Elite|5’9’’|PG|’23 Pucci, as always, played determined and relentlessly attacked the defense when I watched on Day 1. She is very impressive when breaking downhill because she can change speeds fluidly, stay under control, and score efficiently. Down the stretch of the game, she strung together a few big plays that she scored or assisted on, which came at clutch moments. I like Pucci’s poise in those moments. She wants the ball in her hands and to be the primary playmaker when the stakes are at the highest.   #36 [caption id="attachment_460542" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/B2252DB1-EE5F-4750-9309-352E5D36ECD2-crop-1302x855-1657842673.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-460542" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/B2252DB1-EE5F-4750-9309-352E5D36ECD2-crop-1302x855-1657842673-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Meredith Ryan[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="388151" first="Arianna" last="Roberson"]|PlayerFirst Basketball|6’4’’|PF/C|’24 Roberson stands out due to her 6’4’’ frame but also displayed good footwork down low and a soft shooting touch. I also like Roberson’s mobility when patrolling the paint on defense. She stays alert and doesn’t defend lazily, making her an intimidating presence who alters every shot.   #35 [player_tooltip player_id="295876" first="Madison" last="Roman"]| Empire|6’0’’|PF|’23 Roman ended the Select 40 Session II on a high note. While most athletes were worn down from an egregious playing Schedule, Roman was one of the few who played with a high level of intensity. Even against an athletically superior Vegas Bulldogs team, they didn’t have an answer for Roman’s toughness inside, and she found a lot of success around the basket. Roman is a workhorse who constantly outplays her matchup.   #34   [player_tooltip player_id="217076" first="Alexa" last="Hocevar"]|MAC Basketball|6’1’’|SG|’23 Hocevar is a high motor, all-around wing that can play inside and out. She was causing problems on both sides of the floor because of her energy, size, and athleticism. Hocevar was a three-point threat but is also an aggressive slasher who can get in the mid-range and score. She showed her versatility defensively by matching up with players of various positions and skill sets.   #33 [player_tooltip player_id="413585" first="Karly" last="Fischer"]|Empire|6’2’’|PF|’23 It’s hard not to like Fischer’s game because she is one of the few posts disciplined enough to fight on the block every possession. She is hard to move once down low, and she has a violent drop step when receiving the ball. Fischer powers through contact, is a consistent finisher, and cleans up rebounds on both ends.   #32 [player_tooltip player_id="63007" first="Jasmine" last="Barney"]| Lady Martin Bros|5’8’’|PG|’23 I saw Barney hit a couple of three-pointers early in the game, but as I continued to watch, I noticed how great a defender she is. Off the ball specifically, I thought Barney was actively denying the basketball, was jumping into proper help positions, and made good reads which led to forced turnovers. Barney is also an excellent rebounder at her position.   #31 [player_tooltip player_id="306134" first="Kamie" last="Jenkins"]|HLBA|6’2’’|PF|’23 Jenkins battled down low against some premier bigs at the Select 40. Defensively, she was tough and showed good mobility in the paint. Jenkins also didn’t give up anything easy at the rim. She showed good footwork and finishing ability on the block but will make good passes out of the post when the defense collapses. Jenkins is a physical presence who uses her body well to be a big-time rebounder.