GameChangers At The PGH Midwest Extravaganza

Daya Phillips Daya Phillips 5'9″ | CG Johnston | 2027 IA was the definition of a GameChanger this weekend at the PGH Midwest Extravaganza. Philips is a shifty point guard who handles at an elite level, attacks her defender in stride on a consistent basis, and puts up huge numbers across the board in her teams contests. I have seen film on Daya coming into this weekend but hadn’t seen her live yet so I wasn’t too sure what to expect. What I saw was special on several different levels. The sky is the limit for a player out of the 2027 class playing against 2024 competition and dominating for the most part. There aren’t enough good things I could say about this one. This summer leading into the high school season is going to be exciting to watch Philips and this group continue to work and grow.

A’Leah Hodges is the fire that makes her Rice Academy Basketball 2024 team go. The player that is knocking down shots from deep, hyping up her teammates after big victories, and just overall having fun while hooping out there. This weekend she was just one of the big GameChangers for her team while making sure everyone was in the spots they are suppose to be and running what they should be. Other players on her team may of had better offensive weekends overall but I always give a a lot of credit to the point guard in those situations when she is setting up a decent amount of the action. Watch this program moving forward, they have some really nice pieces with coaches who know what they are talking about. That combination on an AAU circuit can be dangerous.

Layla Pierce Layla Pierce 5'7″ | CG Joliet Catholic Academy | 2024 State IL had herself a weekend. Pierce, a 5’7 combo guard, really lives up to the phrase, “combo guard”, as she can really play the 1, 2, or 3 for whatever team she is on. This weekend she showed off her impressive handle, deep range from three, and toughness on the defensive side of the ball. There were a few occasions throughout the weekend where her team could have fallen apart and taken loses in big moments but she didn’t let that happen, leading this group to an overall 3-1 record in Pool A. There is a lot to like about Pierce and her game. She has a good head on her shoulders and understands basketball. If she keeps it simple, she is going to continue to be successful as a GameChanger on the court game-in and game-out.

Kearra Jones and Layla Pierce Layla Pierce 5'7″ | CG Joliet Catholic Academy | 2024 State IL both play for the same Illinois Legends 2024 squad but that doesn’t change the fact that this weekend, these two were legit GameChangers in every meaning of the phrase. Jones is a 6’0 forward with a high motor and physical presence. She crashes the boards hard and never seems to run out of energy. This weekend she gave her team countless amount of opportunities because of her rebounding prowess. Defensively she was lock down. She guarded between the 2-5 and really stayed in front of her opponent. All in all, these girls, this team, they are legit. They have numerous players who could make a lasting impact on a college floor when it’s all said and done. No doubt about it.

Kaitlyn Parker Kaitlyn Parker 5'9″ | CG Downers Grove North | 2024 State IL was a player all weekend that showed off an impressive skill-set. She scored at all three levels while displaying some impressive skill moves from her combo guard position, she walled up against smaller defenders and deterred them from scoring on a consistent basis, and she was an overall leader her team could look up to in important moments. This weekend she was a GameChanger for her team and there is just no way around that. If she keeps up her hard work and dedication to the game, she is going to continue to be a threat on offense while being a pivotal stopper on defense. Both things a college coach would love to have apart of their program.