PGH OK Freshman Showcase: Second Team All-Showcase
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One of the hardest things that we scouts at the showcase on Saturday had to do was to come together at the end and differentiate between all of these talented freshmen. I mean, this group is absolutely loaded. These players…
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Continue ReadingOne of the hardest things that we scouts at the showcase on Saturday had to do was to come together at the end and differentiate between all of these talented freshmen. I mean, this group is absolutely loaded. These players made the “Second Team,” but we might as well have called them “First Team A” and “First Team B.” The good news is that Oklahoma (and in some cases, Arkansas and Kansas) are going to have some absolute beasts plying their trade on the hardwood for the next four years. These players are big-time college prospects.
Kate Naifeh Kate Naifeh 5'10" | PF Casady | 2027 OK
Kate Naifeh Kate Naifeh 5'10" | PF Casady | 2027 OK
Wow. Where do I even begin with Kate? To be honest, she struggled in the beginning of her first game and I was initially thinking, “man, she’s got all that size and athleticism, but…” Well, it didn’t take long for me to realize that there was no “but.” Kate is a killer! All it took was one shot from long/mid-range to get her going and the floodgates opened. It was rough sledding for whichever post player ended up drawing her when defensive assignments were divided up. She can blow by even the most fleet footed “bigs” and has a variety of ways to get it done at the rim. She did her best work defensively and offensively against the biggest players at the showcase, so it is clear that she relishes the competition. Kate Naifeh Kate Naifeh 5’10” | PF Casady | 2027 OK is a baller and most definitely one to watch!
One of the main notes that I emphasized to myself so that I’d remember Ryanne when I got home was her hands. She’s got the hands of an NFL wide receiver when she’s down in the paint. It didn’t matter what angle the pass came from or how hard it came into her, she grabbed everything. Once she had secured the ball, she had a plethora of moves to throw her defender off balance and finish with either hand. Oh yeah, she’s also a six-footer who can step out and hit the three. Just a tremendous all-around player. Ryanne is already looking like she could be well on her way to playing Division-I basketball in four years.
Highlights
When watching Team 5 play, it seemed like (more than most of the other teams), their defense stood out to me. One player really seemed to set the tone when it came to defensive intensity and that was Kamyiah. Some players just have that look in their eyes when the other team has the ball, like, that’s my ball and I want it back. When she gets the ball back, Kamyiah more than knows what to do with it. She has silky handles and a great basketball IQ. It is clear to see that she is a student of the game. She can score it in a lot of different ways, but she really excels at setting her teammates up. Anyone with handles and, just a general presence on the ball like hers, will attract the defense. She is able to find the open teammate and her team is much better for it. Classen SAS has another tremendous player on the way!
Highlights
Alecianna Engmann
Alecianna Engmann
Ace, as she likes to be called, is an incredibly fun player to watch when she gets the ball in her hands down low. She has all kinds of moves to get defenders off balance. She uses her size very well and knows exactly how to do the little things, even at this young age, to create space. She even showed off this nice little fadeaway! She is deceptively quick inside on both ends of the court and I saw her several times catch up to a player who felt they had her beat on the defensive end, only to have her come back and block their shot. She finishes strong consistently and seems to really relish the battles in the paint. Ace is going to be very fun to watch as she gets better and better and becomes an absolute force on the low block for PC North for the next four years!
Mariah Connally
Mariah Connally
Another player who really makes her money defensively, Mariah always stands out in her toughness. She is a nuisance, in the best possible way. I watch her defend and I think, “man, I’m so glad I’m not out there.” She is a guard with very good size who goes hard all game long. She can fill it up from long range, but showed plenty of touch inside and the ability to finish in traffic. Mariah has all kinds of ways to get it done offensively. She is just an incredibly well-rounded player with a skill set that you don’t see on many players, as if she works on every facet of her game rather than “just” being a shooter or “just” being a distributor. There are a lot of tools in her toolbox and she will most definitely be taking that toolbox to college. I was excited to see Mariah in person and I was not disappointed.