GUAA Session II – Girls who stood out to me: Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Simone Richmond, [program_tooltip program_id='712967' first='Texas' last='U'] GUAA 2025, G, 5-7, So.</strong> - Richmond stood out to me as the definition of a spark plug. She did all the little things you want a tough guard to do on the floor. She stays glued to her defender, making it very hard for her opposition to create any downhill momentum towards the rim. In the two games I watched, she was quick in the passing lanes and really made her guesses count when she was going for the ball. She didn't rely on the guessing game, though. Her overall defensive profile made her an all-around difficult assignment to draw for many offensive players in those contests. You aren't going to shake her, and if you do, you better not be lazy with the pass or she's going to jump in and get an easy bucket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='510461' first='Jacy' last='Abii'], [program_tooltip program_id='712967' first='Texas' last='U'] GUAA 2025, W, 6-1, So. </strong>- She is a kid who takes what the defense gives her and makes the best of it. She sees the openings she has to work with on the floor and attacks. Her first two steps hit hard as her great instincts lead her past her defender. Once she's past a defender, she's a threat to pull up for a short shot or take it to the rim to finish through contact. Maybe, there's not a whole lot of flash in her game. Some people don't need it to make themselves a solid college prospect. Abii is one of those. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iyanna Wade, 2025 WPA Bruins GUAA, PG, 5-4, Jr.</strong> - This young lady stood out to me thanks to her blunt and positive attitude to the point guard position. You can see that she loves every minute of leading a team. Her care bleeds out on every trip down the floor. She's more than happy to give the ball up to start the offensive, but relishes the chance to reset things and take a quick scan before dribbling her way into the lane. Once in the paint, she's a speedy study or a quick dish away from creating points for the Bruins. Any team who recruits this kid won't be disappointed with who they get in return. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243895' first='Lena' last='Girardi'], 2024 [program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='FGB' last=''], W, 6-0, Sr.</strong> - Girardi is the very definition of a 3 and D player. In the game I watched her play against the West Virginia Thunder, she held her own against some of the biggest names in the nation. There was no backing down from her. She even had a late steal and a bucket. In addition, she hit several quick 3s with a smooth stroke, but she also showed an ability to get into the lane and cause some trouble with multiple skills. She will go to college as a 3-and-D type player, but there's plenty of talent there for her to develop into a much bigger part of a college team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shaelyn Steele, 2024 West Virginia Thunder Johnson, PG, 5-6, Sr.</strong> - I saw her three times and the young lady from Russell ALWAYS made the right basketball play. She did the dirty work, she jumped on the floor, and you never heard Scott Johnson give her any grief from his spot on the coaching bench. She's such a smart player, coaches! If you aren't interested in this young lady, you are missing out. She's tough, smart, quick and will be an invaluable addition to any program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->