Wade’s World Fall Ball Showcase: 5 Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wade's World Fall Ball Showcase was in Ann Arbor on Sunday. There was a nice collection of talent in the gym. I'm going to give you 5 takeaways I had from the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LEADER!!!!!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This actually might have been the highlight of the day for me at the showcase. And it wasn't even skill related. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='638547' first='Ava' last='Rodriguez']</strong>, a star guard from Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, showed an intangible that every coach at every program at every level is always searching for. A positive leader. To be honest, at first, her drill group was pretty quiet. <strong>Ava </strong>brought it to life by being verbally encouraging to every player after every rep. She started a trend in the group and it soon became to most vocal in the gym. As they got louder, other groups followed suit and it spread throughout the gym. <strong>Rodriguez's </strong>leadership was an event changing attribute.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STEADY IMPROVEMENT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were some players at the showcase that have show remarkable improvement in the last 6 months plus. Ley's start with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='635277' first='MacKenzi' last='Duthie']</strong>, a 2026 Howell forward. She's developed her game consistently and has become a very high level prospect. <strong>Duthie </strong>battles on the glass going after the ball relentlessly off the rim. She also has the ability to stretch the floor and bury a jumper with 3 point range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of improvement, there's that girl again - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='716695' first='Selena' last='Titus']</strong>. She's found her path and a button has clicked. Honestly, her game is starting to look like her older brother's, Brady Titus. Like him, she's a playmaker off the bounce and can push the pace by getting downhill with the ball. <strong>Titus </strong>has some shake with the ball that creates space from her defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PLAYMAKERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was a very good number of playmakers in the gym on Sunday. Let's start with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='420489' first='Ashlyn' last='Moorehead']</strong>. It's not about flash with <strong>Moorehead</strong>, but it's totally about effectiveness. She makes plays for teammates with her ability to handle the ball and make the right pass at the right time. Players around her are better because she's their teammate. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244296' first='Taylor' last='Wallace']</strong> is another playmaker at the showcase. She's such a smooth athlete with a confident jumper. Wallace really forces the defense to make decisions by being quick with her own. This helps her make a ton of plays in any given game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>YOUTH / YOUNG TALENT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state of Michigan has developed into a high school girls basketball powerhouse. From what I saw from the young talent at this showcase, that trend isn't stopping anytime soon. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='982013' first='Jillian' last='Sanderson']</strong> is a TREMENDOUS player and prospect. Honestly, she could play high school varsity basketball right now. But you'll have to catch her in a middle school gym for now. <strong>Sanderson </strong>is an elite ball handler, skilled athlete and a pure shooter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='933016' first='Zariya' last='McCrary']</strong> was electric with the ball and could attack the rim off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mia Hammoud</strong> was efficient with the ball and could get physical on her way to the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are just 3 examples, but every young player in the gym caught my eye for something that they did well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>REAFFIRMATION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a lot of players at the event that reaffirmed why I have such a high opinion on them as players and prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244311' first='Faith' last='Jungwirth']</strong> is one of those players. I've always loved her game and what she brings to the table. Her strength and versatility continue to be strengths and allow her to be a tough matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244259' first='Riley' last='Abney']</strong> once again showed why she's an elite player. Her ease of movement is next level and her jumper is so pure and so balanced.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='424155' first='Alison' last='Farr']</strong> is a player I noticed on the PGH Circuit a while back and I could see it within seconds. She had that "it" factor. I could just tell that she'd be great. <strong>Farr </strong>certainly hasn't disappointed. In fact, the sharp shooting leader has added a lot of athleticism and flash to her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='419532' first='Charlotte' last='Miller']</strong> is elite, not just in the state, but beyond that as well. You have to really watch the game to see all the ways that she influences outcomes. <strong>Miller </strong>is so focused every second that she's on the court. She can be relied upon as both a primary ball handler and distributer as well as an elite shooter and scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->