PGH Region’s Kick Off: Some Of The Best From Weeks 1-2 (Part 2)
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The past two weekends I’ve had the privilege of providing coverage at 2 AAU Kick Off events for Prep Girls Hoops. In these two weekends I’ve seen a bunch of players with some incredible talent and skill on the floor.…
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Continue ReadingThe past two weekends I’ve had the privilege of providing coverage at 2 AAU Kick Off events for Prep Girls Hoops. In these two weekends I’ve seen a bunch of players with some incredible talent and skill on the floor. Below I’m going to briefly highlight some of the those players I’ve seen, wether it be because of a standout performance or their overall skill they possess. (Part 2!)
Explosive guard who comes in for her Iowa Prep Platinum team as the 1 or 2, depending on the game. Great shooting stroke accompanied with balance and steady form. Can handle and get to the hoop or create for her teammates. Solid on the defensive side of the ball. Works really hard and shows a lot of passion when competing. A nice addition to any program at this level who will listen to what the coach wants and get it done.
Highlights
Riley Ward
Riley Ward
Definition of a Bucket. Scores at all three levels at a consistent rate while being able to shoot, put the ball on the floor and create, or finish at the hoop over smaller defenders. A player that I would define as a microwave. She can get hot from the field in a blink of an eye. A real game changer when she is in her zone. Other than that she possesses a quick first step and nice side-to-side movement when displaying a crossover or counter dribble, getting her defender off balance. This helps her fair pretty well on defense against players that are alike in size.
Lengthy and Athletic. Has a good amount of skill with the ball in her hands. A player that her team tries to get the ball too at least once a possession to see if she can make something happen. Hard worker who works on defense. She communicates well to her teammates and coaches. With her size, strength, and skill looking forward, she is going to be big-time prospect out of the state of Minnesota before her high school career comes to an end and she takes her talents to the college game.
A guard who has a nice overall game but jumps off the screen with her shooting ability. I watched her consistently pull up from behind the volleyball line, live in game, and it was amazing. She gets to a 2 foot jump stop, loads up her balance, and lets it fly. Maybe the craziest part of it all is that is seems super natural and common, plus it goes in a good amount of the time. At the 15U level, I’m not sure I’ve seen another shooter with this much promise headed into the rest of their spring this season.
A player who may not get recognized a ton is Anna Ciha Anna Ciha 5’8″ | SF Fond Du Lac | 2026 WI but man does she works hard. A player that does all the dirty work for her team without wanting the recognition. She shows a lot of basketball IQ in game by switching up her attacking style, keeping the defense guessing. She isn’t afraid of contact and moreso welcomes it when inside the paint. While at the same time, she seems to be getting more comfortable spacing the floor and working outside the three point line. There is a lot of promise here. Over the next few years if she keeps expanding her game and her skill-set, she is going to be a handful to deal with on the court.