Bash Favs: Cruz Control

Below are some of my favorite players from the PGH New England Top 250 Showcase.   [player_tooltip player_id='361341' first='Izzy' last='Cruz'] | 5'7''|PG|'25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/09/90BBBD73-1F83-4923-9B17-EA2FE6466FEB-crop-1420x933-1663193690.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-500687"/><figcaption>Photo: Pics By Reardon</figcaption></figure>   Cruz was arguably the best player at the showcase, and she came out the gates making a huge statement on offense. Her aggressive shot-creating and shot-making ability outshined everyone on the court. She is a bouncy athlete who can get downhill and change speeds under control, can shoot over the top of the defense from all three tiers, and has a diverse finishing package that includes a floater. Cruz has ample talent, and when I saw it translate in that competitive environment last Saturday, it was hard not to think she is due for a breakout year with Loomis Chaffee.     [player_tooltip player_id='496171' first='Mya' last='Lambert'] | 5'9''|PF| '25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/09/1E5AAA90-9EB0-4C90-8D35-C5C9F449FEFD-crop-1537x1010-1663193579.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-500685"/><figcaption>Photo: Pics By Reardon</figcaption></figure>   I watched Lambert last weekend and thought it was the best basketball I have seen her play. It started and ended with her engagement and activity on defense. She looked locked in and prioritized protecting the paint and cleaning up the glass. Lambert might be slightly undersized for the power forward position, but she was using her strong body and athleticism to find ways to impact the game. She always showed flashes on offense. I liked her aggression when slashing, and she sprinted the floor hard in transition.     [player_tooltip player_id='496192' first='Sofia' last='Sanchez'] | 5'7''|PG|'24   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/09/2C417E47-593B-414C-9B2C-A7AAFC9B9B1E-crop-1302x855-1663193408.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-500683"/><figcaption>Photo: Pics by Reardon</figcaption></figure>   Sanchez was excellent all-around at the top 250 Showcase and stood out on both sides of the ball. She played "in your face" defense, and her activity forced turnovers and easy transition offense opportunities. Sanchez's quick first step and ball-handling resulted in straight-line drives to the basket and she saw the floor as well as anyone. She rebounded at a high level and put her fingerprints on every aspect of the game.   [player_tooltip player_id='397421' first='Evie' last='Schwartz'] | 5'10''|PF|'25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/09/3C1973BF-0B79-488C-ABED-53A2366ECE4B-crop-1440x946-1663193159.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-500675"/><figcaption>Photo: Pics by Reardon</figcaption></figure>   Schwartz was dynamic in transition and did a good job filling lanes correctly and sprinting to spots. She got a handful of easy-scoring opportunities by simply outworking the defense and showed her smooth shooting stroke on the break. Schwartz is effective down low and around the basket and has a good overall feel for the game.   [player_tooltip player_id='393296' first='Izzy' last='Adams'] | 5'6''|PG|'25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/F6E3E028-DE1A-4E9D-A314-C202F97FAA72-crop-1495x982-1663192793.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-500672"/><figcaption>Photo: Anna Kitch</figcaption></figure>   Adams might get overlooked because she isn't a point guard who will go out and fill up the scoring column on a nightly basis, but she will stuff the rebound and assist section of the box score. Adams' passing acumen is proficient. She can fit the ball through a tight window, hits her teammates in stride, and has a little flash to her game, making Adams an entertaining player to watch on the break. What makes Adams so good in transition? Her rebounding. She is fearless and will crash the glass relentlessly and immediately push the ball and get itout in front, to her teammates, while flying down the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='353669' first='Adi' last='Standish'] | 6'1''|PF|'24   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/2CCA5FBF-DFCC-49CE-AC3E-BB5C03AE7354-crop-1178x774-1663192663.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-500666"/><figcaption>Photo: JT Shotz</figcaption></figure>   Standish is one of the biggest stock risers in the '24 class. She owned the paint, and opposing teams could not handle her size and length on the block. Standish's touch is one of the softest, and she is highly efficient from short-range. She is an intimidator on defense who patrols the paint, swatting and altering shots consistently.   [player_tooltip player_id='496141' first='Juliette' last='Tarsa'] | 5'8''|CG|'24   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/09/71D2FD03-F94E-42E8-8319-1965874C869E-crop-1152x757-1663192602.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-500660"/><figcaption>Photo: Meredith Ryan</figcaption></figure>   Tarsa is a fascinating athlete who makes her mark on defense. She has the lateral speed to stay in front of the quickest guards and did a good job defending without fouling last Saturday. I also liked Tarsa's shot creation. Tarsa was under control from mid-long range, creating separation, and her jumper was fluid.   [player_tooltip player_id='496113' first='Callie' last='Cosgrove'] | 5'5''|PG|'25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/09/0A29DF20-EF8C-4C3F-AB3B-23BA71ED8125-crop-1302x855-1663192344.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-500656"/><figcaption>Photo: JT Shotz</figcaption></figure>   Cosgrove was one of the most impressive players at the Top 250. She has lightning-fast hands and her good defensive reads led to steals and fastbreak points. There were also circumstances where she got switched onto bigger players down low, and Cosgrove stood her ground and defended well. She keeps her center of gravity low on her drives and found success getting to the basket with either hand. Quickness and agility were two of Cosgrove's tools used to get into the paint.   [player_tooltip player_id='309494' first='Phoebe' last='Katilus'] | 6'0''|PF|'23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/09/3FAF17D4-93C0-4BB3-A9B2-EC346C977D9F-crop-1242x816-1663192207.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-500654"/><figcaption>Photo: JT Shotz</figcaption></figure>   Katilus is a machine on the glass and corralled a handful of tough rebounds in traffic throughout the night. I like that she can put the ball on the deck and push the tempo if needed. Katilus also has the confidence to handle the ball in the halfcourt and was a terror to defend in the high post. Her versatility at the PF spot made her stand out amongst her peers.     [player_tooltip player_id='496159' first='Lyneta' last='Brand'] | 6'1''|PF|'23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/09/78D2AC85-3FCA-4C61-BB79-F7BF89D8A3F2-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1663191951.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-500651"/><figcaption>Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='321288' first='Erica' last='Lendall'] Photography</figcaption></figure>   I find it cool that Brand can continue to stand out more than any other forward without taking many shots. I can't remember a single post she scored last Saturday, but I recall the countless times she ignited her team's offense with a rebound and hard push up the floor. By mastering the little things, Brand can make her teammates, and when scoring opportunities do arise, she takes full advantage.

Below are some of my favorite players from the PGH New England Top 250 Showcase.