Bash Favs:The Select 40 (#10-#5)

We’ve made it to my top 10 favorite players to watch at the Select 40 Session II! These players gave some of the most memorable performances at the event. Let’s look at players #10-#5   #10 [caption id="attachment_461380" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/BEE180F3-6625-4724-A01F-28F5CBCBD332-scaled-crop-1660x1090-1657981730.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-461380" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/BEE180F3-6625-4724-A01F-28F5CBCBD332-scaled-crop-1660x1090-1657981730-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Meredith Ryan[/caption] Sidni Middleton|HLBA|5’9’’|PG|’25 Middleton went up against some of the premier guard talent in the country, and I thought she outplayed them for the most part. She is a special offensive player who doesn’t wilt when pressured and played tightly. Middleton has limitless range from behind the arc and is crafty in getting into the mid-range, where she can score efficiently. She makes quick decisions with the ball and isn’t phased by a hand in her face when shooting.   #9 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-461376" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/FBCAFE6E-5551-446F-9503-497B4489695F-crop-1242x816-1657981503-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="333302" first="Mia" last="Pauldo"]|NJ Sparks|5’7’’|PG|’25 Pauldo sets the tone on offense by being aggressive from the jump. Her confidence shooting from the outside was apparent as she would pull up and convert effortlessly on anyone. Pauldo wants the ball in her hands in big moments, and she showed the ability to break down her defender and get a shot off in key moments. I like that Pauldo is not loose with the basketball and prone to committing many turnovers, especially since she is a point guard with a high usage rate. Like her sister, Pauldo is also tenacious on defense and will compete harder than anyone.   #8 [caption id="attachment_461339" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/1122D8B4-8A00-42A4-9978-D470788F773D-scaled-crop-1709x1123-1657978752.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-461339" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/1122D8B4-8A00-42A4-9978-D470788F773D-scaled-crop-1709x1123-1657978752-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Meredith Ryan[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="415744" first="Zahra" last="King"]|New Heights|5’10’’|PG|’24 It seemed like whenever New Heights struggled to get their offense going, King was the one carrying the scoring load. Her length is scary, and when coupled with her tight handle, she becomes a matchup nightmare. Defenses couldn’t keep her out of the paint, and she has the soft finishing touch and elusiveness that makes her automatic at the rim. King’s defense was also top tier. In transition, she always hustled back and made a momentum-changing play for her team. King also didn’t hunt for her shot every time she touched it. She was very unselfish and did a good job setting the table for her teammates.   #7 [caption id="attachment_461337" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/B02BB89D-59C2-4D8C-8969-69BA224B4683-scaled-crop-1709x1123-1657978236.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-461337" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/B02BB89D-59C2-4D8C-8969-69BA224B4683-scaled-crop-1709x1123-1657978236-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Meredith Ryan[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="94952" first="Maryn" last="Archer"]|Southwest Elite|5’8’’|PG|’23 I immediately noticed Archer against New Heights because she was the hardest working player on the court. Archer does everything with a purpose; she can beat you in multiple ways. Archer can shoot off the catch, has an excellent dribble pull-up, and can easily penetrate and finish with either hand. I watched Archer track down rebounds, get to 50/50 balls, and do little things that help the team win. Her physical and mental toughness is off the charts, making Archer an easy player to be a fan of on the court.   #6 [caption id="attachment_461335" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/4A95B20E-66FE-4D92-B91E-5407E77D16B2-crop-1242x816-1657978134.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-461335" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/4A95B20E-66FE-4D92-B91E-5407E77D16B2-crop-1242x816-1657978134-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Meredith Ryan[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="104791" first="Jordan" last="Lee"]|Jason Kidd Select|5’11’’|SG|’24 Lee is an absolute monster. College coaches should recruit her solely based on how Lee rebounds. I haven’t seen anyone attack the glass with more aggression and register as many putbacks at the guard position as Lee. She can be a team’s primary playmaker, and she sees the floor so well, specifically when she penetrates and draws the defense. Her size and strength at the position are intimidating, and she plays with an edge. Lee plays mean and tough and will outwork her opponent in all areas of the game.   #5 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-461333" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/6018B9AF-4B05-4811-B12F-84A0EC309C26-scaled-crop-1709x1123-1657977880-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="406496" first="Aalyah" last="Del Rosario"]|New Heights|6’6’’|PF/C|’23 Del Rosario was excellent on both sides of the ball like she typically is, but I thought she took her game up a notch in high leverage situations. When New Heights needed a bucket, Del Rosario got on the block, made a powerful move through the defense, and scored. When New Heights needed a big stop, Del Rosario registered a loud rejection or limited the opponent’s second chance opportunity by securing crucial rebounds. When Del Rosario decides to take over the game, she will dominate; there is nothing anyone can do about it.