WPA Bruins Spring Tip-Off Classic-Standouts (Part Two)
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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.
The high scoring lefty shooting guard and current WV Gatorade Player of the year Alexis Bordas Alexis Bordas 5'8" | SG Wheeling Park | 2025 State WV helped her team go 4-0 at the spring tip-off. Bordas played hard on both ends of the floor she shot the ball very well from three and made some nice plays in transition scoring at the rim while also getting her teammates involved. She made a big impact on defense as well playing the passing lanes coming up with steals that led to points the other way. WV Thunder 17U looks good early and ready to dominate the Under Armour Circuit this AAU season.
Highlights
Jaidyn Gulley Jaidyn Gulley 5'9" | SF Ashland Blazer | 2024 State KY is well-known for her unselfish play and ability to be a floor general that is always willing to make the extra pass and find the open teammate. Gulley showed she has the size and athleticism to matchup against some of the best guards in the nation. She also kept her composer and ran the offense showing she can handle their aggressive defense and not turn the ball over.
Highlights
Trinity Balog Trinity Balog 5'7" | SG Parkersburg | 2024 State WV ‘s game is evolving before our very eyes. She has put more focus into being a better defender by improving her foot speed and lateral quickness. Balog of course is still a major threat on offense scoring when she has good looks and being a high level facilitator. She even dished 7 assist in a game over the weekend.
Lily Ervin
Lily Ervin
So far as the starting point guard for WV Thunder 2028 team Lily Ervin is averaging 6.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1.3 assist per game through the 7 games. Ervin has been handling the ball very well while displaying tremendous court vision and effort to get everyone involved. She has developed a nice 12-foot jump shot that she has been making very consistently.
Highlights
This is Faith Pickens first AAU season with the WPA Bruins and the transition has been smooth. She has been working hard to improve on defense by increasing her athleticism and foot speed to be able to guard not just the post but the perimeter as well. Pickens had her best game against Team PA U16 Black she made a big difference on the glass with her effort to rebound. While using her size length to protect the rim.
Maddi Frohnapel
Maddi Frohnapel
Maddi Frohnapel brought her “A” game over the weekend making an impact for her team in a lot of different ways. Frohnapel displayed her leadership qualities by having a winning attitude and getting others involved. Her best performance came against the Cap City Ballers 2028 she led the team in scoring with 12 points going 4-8 from the field. She also had 7 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 assist.
Highlights
Amari Wilkes Amari Wilkes 5'6" | SF Nitro | 2025 WV made the most of her time on the floor for FTF Thunder 2025. She played with energy on both ends of the floor by being a relentless rebounder and hustling on defense coming up with stops and causing turnovers. Wilkes scored 6 points in the third game against WPA Bruins 16U Rise Nesbit while also getting her teammates with her excellent court vision. She looks to get better and better this AAU season.
Kyleigh Chestnut
Kyleigh Chestnut
Kyleigh Chestnut played hard on the both ends of the floor this weekend and made an immediate impact when she stepped on the court. Her high energy and intensity level really rubbed off on the rest of the team. Chestnut showed her ability to score at all three levels efficiently by making the three ball and finding good driving angles to attack the rim.
Natalie Daugherty Natalie Daugherty 5'8" | SF Wheeling Park | 2024 State WV
Natalie Daugherty Natalie Daugherty 5'8" | SF Wheeling Park | 2024 State WV
Natalie Daugherty Natalie Daugherty 5'8" | SF Wheeling Park | 2024 State WV had a solid overall weekend competing hard on both ends of the floor. She played strong defense throughout the entire even. Her best game came against Ohio Future Shumate she attacked the rim to score and knocked down several shots from the perimeter.