Hoop Life: Top 48 Middle School Showcase – Team Black Eval
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This event featured rising middle school ballers in the Midwest. Players from Iowa, Chicago, Wisconsin and Nebraska were intentionally mixed together to create an environment where they were challenged. Every player has their own niche, let’s meet the Black team…
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Continue ReadingThis event featured rising middle school ballers in the Midwest. Players from Iowa, Chicago, Wisconsin and Nebraska were intentionally mixed together to create an environment where they were challenged. Every player has their own niche, let’s meet the Black team and see how they were able to find success in the showcase.
Abbajay Peters Abbajay Peters 5'6" | PG Waukee | 2028 IA
Abbajay Peters Abbajay Peters 5'6" | PG Waukee | 2028 IA
Abbajay Peters Abbajay Peters 5’6″ | PG Waukee | 2028 IA can play both point guard and shooting guard. She has a nice hesitation to the basket and is an athletic guard who can get creative with her finishes around the rim. Defensively she will guard your best player and keep them on one side of the floor. As a help side defender, there were a few blocked shots from her that only the elite players will make. Next year as a freshman, she will be looking to turn some heads and make some noise.
Sophia Bouchard Sophia Bouchard 5'6" | CG North Polk | 2028 IA
Sophia Bouchard Sophia Bouchard 5'6" | CG North Polk | 2028 IA
Sophia Bouchard Sophia Bouchard 5’6″ | CG North Polk | 2028 IA is another sniper behind the 3 point line and those come in bunches. “Hand down man down” is a term we’ve all heard before and is something she stands by. You have to have a hand up or she will shoot without hesitation. Sophia can also get to the basket and one of my favorite finishes from her at the showcase was the inside hand finish.
Gaby Dzik
Gaby Dzik
Gaby Dzik is a smooth player who can play multiple positions. She plays at a pace and makes quick reads when she sees the open drive. Players might think she plays slow until she changes speeds and because of how long she is, her first step is bigger than most giving her an advantage. Her footwork all around showed skill and dedication. Understanding the pace that Gaby has shows time and time means she’s trained for game type results. Coaches want players who can transition outside work into actual gameplay.
Brooklynn Ruddy
Brooklynn Ruddy
Brooklyn Ruddy Brooklyn Ruddy 5’7″ | CG Southeast Polk | 2028 IA has the potential to be a game changer in high school next year. Elite guard skills who don’t back down from anyone. On her shot, she has a nice release point and good follow through. Coaches like players who make the right decisions with the ball and decision making as a skill is a box she can check off.
Lydia Michel is an athletic player who is very strong on her drives to the basket. With good size and strength, that allows her to make an impact on both sides of the floor. She can be physical with the bigs and/or stay defensively fundamental with the guards. I’m excited to see the future of this player as she continues to grow in the game.
Brekklyn Coltrane
Brekklyn Coltrane
Brekklyn Coltrane is a player out of Nebraska who some of the Iowa players remembered because she shot lights out in a couple of tournaments. At the showcase since players knew who she was, they forced her to play off the dribble most of the time. She didn’t force any shots and took good shots when she was open. Brekklyn did a good job defensively and plays passing lanes well.
Hadley Gentzler
Hadley Gentzler
Hadley Gentzler is a 7th grader who has really good guard skills. Additionally, elite ball handling player who can shoot and makes sharp passes. Her drive and kicks are spot on and I even watched a pitch pass for a trail shooter, understood transition situation and made the right play.
Liv Schieber showed her athleticism and one thing that was known, she was getting to the basket every chance she had. Everyone on her team was capable of stretching the floor because they could all shoot. She simplified the game and took what the defense gave her, which were drives to the basket. Whether that was her getting downhill to score or make the pass to an open teammate.