PGH Iowa – AAU Post Season Awards: 17U Honorable Mention

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Making any of the AAU Post Season Award teams is something you should be proud of. With having a vast amount of skilled players out of this state, throughout all age levels, to be named as basically 1 of the Top 30 for an age group, for an entire AAU season speaks volumes. It shows to everyone watching out there that no matter the stage, competition level, or situation in front of the player – They WILL succeed. Below is the list of players selected to the Honorable Mention list, for the 17U age level, for this spring/summer AAU season. This will be followed by a brief write-up explaining their individual play-style. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545646' first='Ava' last='Locklear']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ava-locklear-2/"></a> – 2024 – SF/PF – Heart Of Illinois AAU – Clear Creek Amana H.S.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Physical, athletic, versatile. All words to describe Locklear &amp; her game. She understands her size advantage and uses it whenever she can. This was on display all AAU season as she put up some big numbers for her Heart Of Illinois AAU team. Can't wait to see her take that momentum into the high school season at CCA, where her team will have another chance at a big state run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='246149' first='Sophia' last='Hope']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/sophia-hope-2/"></a> – 2024 – SF/PF – <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/all-iowa-attack/"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='712377' first='All' last='Iowa Attack']</strong></a> 17U – Waukee H.S. – <strong>Truman State Commit</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another player that could be described like Locklear was above. Physical player that has a mix of superior skill and coordination compared to others around her. Her size mixed with her knowledge of the post helps her so that she can score over smaller player, in the blink of an eye. Hope will produce in college and did the same this spring/summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='311373' first='August' last='Palmer']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/august-palmer/"></a> – 2025 – PG – <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/all-iowa-attack/"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='712377' first='All' last='Iowa Attack']</strong></a> 17U – City High H.S. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Going to be the steal of the 2025 class, out of Iowa in my opinion. A guard with good size at 5'10, with the ability to handle, distribute, and score at an elite level. Not to mention that she is a menace on defense with her ability to switch between the 1-3 positions. Good overall AAU season with a big high school one right down the road. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='246106' first='Vanessa' last='Bickford']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/vanessa-bickford/"></a> – 2024 – PG/SG – <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/all-iowa-attack/"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='712377' first='All' last='Iowa Attack']</strong></a> 17U – DCG H.S. – <strong>University Of Minnesota (Duluth) Commit </strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bickford is a playmaker by every meaning of the phrase. A lefty that has a smooth handle and determination with the ball in her hands. When she gets doing full speed, down hill, it's tough to stop her. She is crafty enough to make a counter-move if you cut her off, with a college level finishing ability at the rim. Going to be a produce in college and she showed that this AAU season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='246101' first='Aaliyah' last='Riley']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aaliyah-riley/"></a> – 2024 – PG – <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/cy-select/"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='712474' first='CY' last='Select']</strong></a> 17U – Johnston H.S. – <strong>Northwestern Missouri State Commit</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The baller we all know and love. Riley was her [program_tooltip program_id='712474' first='CY' last='Select']'s teams first option this AAU season and she made the most of it. Riley is unselfish enough to know when a shot is good compared to when it's selfish. This knowledge is just one of the many reasons that she is signed to play college ball after her senior year at Johnston high school. Fun player to watch and that wasn't any different this spring/summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Maddy Maynes</strong> – 2024 – SG – Pure Prep 17U Hale – Southeast Polk H.S. – <strong>Grand View University Commit</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fundamental guard that plays the game the right way. Communicates with others well and gets the job done for her team, whatever it maybe. Maynes also has a high motor and never takes possessions off. She works hard on every play, giving it her all and that was blatant this spring/summer. She is going to be a college player we hear about at the next level after her senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='342203' first='Breck' last='Mills']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/breck-mills/"></a> – 2024 – SF/PF – <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/western-iowa-express/"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='716010' first='Western' last='Iowa Express']</strong></a> 2024 – Southeast Valley H.S. – <strong>Minnesota State (Moorhead) Commit</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long and athletic forward, that could be placed at the 3 spot, if need be. Possesses good form with nice touch when she lets it fly from behind the three point line. Defensively, is a hard worker that created a lot of turnovers with her tips/deflections of the ball. Going be a breakout star at the college level from everything I've seen so far. Just needs to really hone in on HER best ability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='502091' first='Adalyn' last='Long']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/adalyn-long/"></a> – 2026 – SG – 212 Academy/Pure Prep 17U Hale – Washington H.S. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='502091' first='Adalyn' last='Long'] had a breakout AAU season in my opinion. A player that competed for two programs, showed that no matter the competition level, she was going to be one of the top players on her team. She held her own on every occasion I watched and put herself in a great spot moving forward when it comes to the recruiting side of things. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='311354' first='Kelli' last='Storck']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kelli-storck/"></a> – 2025 – SF/PF – Pure Prep 17U E40 – ADM H.S. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='311354' first='Kelli' last='Storck'] is another one of those players in Iowa that is going to be a STEAL for some college out there. Storck is tall and physical. She can handle the ball in the post and knows where/when a double team is coming her way. She finishes through contact on a regular basis and doesn't shy away. I'm sure before it's all said and done, she is going to have some choices as to where she would want to play college. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='642736' first='Ava' last='Wattier']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ava-wattier/"></a> – 2026 – PG/SG – <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/beyond-ball/"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='712420' first='Beyond' last='Ball']</strong></a> 17U – Urbandale H.S. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='642736' first='Ava' last='Wattier'] played up this season but you would never be able to tell by just watching her out there on the court. Wattier is an efficient guard, who doesn't try to do too much. She keeps her opponent in front of her on defense, while being able to switch up how she attacks them on offense with the ball in her hands. An AAU season to remember from Wattier with a lot more to come. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='311394' first='Alyssa' last='Bartlett']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/alyssa-bartlett/"></a> – 2025 – PG – <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/kingdom-hoops/"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='712595' first='Kingdom' last='Hoops']</strong></a> 17U – Southeast Polk H.S.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='311394' first='Alyssa' last='Bartlett'] did more of the usual for herself this AAU season. She left it all on the floor, she dedicated herself to the sport, she never gave up on plays, and she led her team from the point guard position in each contest. All while also picking up a few division-1 offers in the meantime. All positive things from this one over the past few months on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='642735' first='Aniyah' last='Boens']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aniyah-boens/"></a> – 2027 – CG – <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/beyond-ball/"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='712420' first='Beyond' last='Ball']</strong></a> 17U – Urbandale H.S. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talking about players with a high ceiling, [player_tooltip player_id='642735' first='Aniyah' last='Boens'] is in that conversation. Another player that played up on a 17U team but you would never be able to tell by the way that she conducts herself on the court. Not to mention that she is a player with tremendous skill and feel for the game at her age. She is only going to be a freshman this year. I can't wait to see what she does at the varsity level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='582840' first='Audrie' last='Helmrichs']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/audrie-helmrichs/"></a> – 2024 – PF – <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/iowa-prep/"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='712577' first='Iowa' last='Prep']</strong></a> 17U Red – Edgewood-Colesburg H.S.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best rebounders in the state of Iowa last year was [player_tooltip player_id='582840' first='Audrie' last='Helmrichs']. Helmrichs did much of the same this AAU season for her [program_tooltip program_id='712577' first='Iowa' last='Prep'] 17U Red team. She was a dominate rebounder, a shot blocker in the middle, a consistent score, and overall-a hell of a player in the lane for her team. This high school season I'm expecting another big year on the glass from this power forward but we will have to wait and see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->