WPA Bruins Spring Tip-Off Classic-Standouts (Part One)

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The Western PA Bruins hosted the 2023 Spring Tip-Off this past weekend at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA. This event was filled with elite competition and featured some of the top players and teams in the nation. Below are my standout performers from this tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["502279"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-643ef5d953d00"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='502279' first='Nataya' last='Strader'] really came to play at the spring tip-off her best game was against SLAAM 2025. She went off for a team-high 32 points. Her team started out slow and trailed at the half. But with excellent guard play and Strader's relentless effort to get to the rim, hit shots from the perimeter and play tough defense helped FTF Thunder 2025 get the close win 70-65.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["389632"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64404f8674431"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='389632' first='Josie' last='Cross'] displayed her ability to dominate the low block throughout the tournament. She played strong defense, rebounded at a high level and blocked a ton of shots. Her best game was against SLAAM Pennix she had 19 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals, along with several blocks. Cross looks likes she's going to have a big AAU season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["231465"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64404f8674487"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The WV Thunder 17U S40 team went 4-1 this past weekend. [player_tooltip player_id='231465' first='Ella' last='Sellars'] had a great weekend overall on offense she was able to score from all three levels while also setting up her teammates to score by making good passes that led to points more times than not. On defense she was extremely disruptive by playing passing lanes causing deflections and turnovers. She also crashed the boards grabbing several offensive and defensive rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["167099"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64404f86744d2"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='167099' first='Shaelyn' last='Steele'] showed why she is the number one player in Kentucky coming out the class of 2024. She has elite speed, quickness, and ball handling ability that made her really hard to contain. Steele was able to get in lane to score and knock down shots from three point range. She also came up with some impressive steals that led to fast break buckets for WV Thunder throughout the tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["342227"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64404f867451f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Sadaya Jones represented well for the WPA Bruins 2025 squad at their spring tip-off. Sadaya did a good job at letting the game come to her, she played her role as a defensive stopper causing turnovers and running the floor making herself available to score in transition. She was at her best against Sideline Cancer she was slashing the lane getting different looks at the rim and finishing through contact. She also showed her ability to step out and make shots from three. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='728695' first='Taysia' last='Gray']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Oak Hill High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"FTF Thunder","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64404f86745bf"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">FTF stands for "Friends to Family" and for a team that has not played together for long the FTF Thunder 2025 are starting to really define the meaning. The high scoring point guard [player_tooltip player_id='728695' first='Taysia' last='Gray'] showed that she can get buckets on anyone no matter the level of competition. Gray had 15 points in the opening game against Hustle 2025 helping her team get the win 53-35. She then dropped 19 points in a tough loss B. Scott Basketball Academy 10th 54-57.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["494473"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64404f867460f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='494473' first='Aryanna' last='Gulley'] came to play to over the weekend and showed that she can be a true post player by delivering on offense and rebounding a high volume. She had an impressive performance against Indy's Best 15U putting up 15 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. She also made the most of her free throw opportunities going 9/10 from the line. Gulley is starting to find her groove I expect her to keep playing at a high level all AAU season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["376804"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64404f8674658"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='376804' first='Anaya' last='Chestnut'] had a really good weekend overall she showed she can make the right decisions as a primary ball handler while being a willing passer. Her reputation as a lockdown defender went unblemished as she was as good as anyone defensively throughout the tournament. Her best game came against the Germantown Lady Panthers. Chestnut finished very well around the rim getting tough basket through contact. She showed she can be a reliable ball handler when the pressure is on as well. Look for her to have to perform well once again in Pennsylvania this weekend at the UAA Session 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["494689"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64417b476de81"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='494689' first='Elin' last='Logue'] is a 2027 prospect playing up for the 2025 3SSB Midwest Basketball Club that played in a tough bracket at the spring tip-off. Their bracket included 2 EYBL teams, a GUAA, and a now independent but former GUAA team. Throughout the tournament Logue averaged 6.5 points per game with six made three pointers. One of her best games was against NYC Exodus 16U EYBL she came off the bench and added 7 points late in the game that helped the team go on a run. She followed that performance with 11 points against GTS Fusion 16U UAA she hit 3 three pointers in a 50-47 victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->