Hoop Life: Top 48 Middle School Showcase – Team Blue Eval

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 Blue team and see how they were able to find success in the showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897131' first='Stella' last='Burgher'] (NE)</strong> <strong>- 2028 - 5'8 - SG - [program_tooltip program_id='712709' first='Nebraska' last='Attack']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='897131' first='Stella' last='Burgher'] is a player who plays at her own pace and doesn't let anyone speed her up. She's fundamentally talented on the offensive side with good ball handling skills and reading the secondary defense on her drives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kayaira Haywood (IL) - 2028 - 5'9 - CG - Mac Irvin Fire</strong> <strong>S40</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keyaira Haywood is one of the top players who stood out. She has a motor on both ends of the floor and it is noticeable that she wants to show everyone she's one of the best if not the best player in the gym. Defensively she's determined to shut down anyone she's matched up with. She will pick you up 94 feet and transitions defense to offense very well. She's ready for high school varsity basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Londyn Hollins (WI) - 2028 - 5'7 - PG/SG - Midwest [program_tooltip program_id='713325' first='Elite' last=''] EYBL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Londyn Hollins was the Queen of the Court at the showcase. She showed everyone how skilled she is and the way she used her size gave her an advantage over anyone she matched up with. Very physical basketball player who finishes off two feet the strongest. She came all the way from Wisconsin to show she's a Top Player and someone to watch out for. Londyn did not disappoint!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='957840' first='Savanna' last='Wright'] (IA) - 2029 - 5'3 - PG - [program_tooltip program_id='712377' first='All' last='Iowa Attack']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='957840' first='Savanna' last='Wright'] is a player who knows how to adapt to any situation. She can lead a team at the point guard spot, slide to the shooting guard position and play off the ball, and with her aggressiveness she's able to guard bigger players. If coaches wanted to play with a smaller lineup. You have to know where Savanna is on the floor because she's a sniper behind the 3 point line. Working with screen and roll actions, she displayed good IQ showing her ability to read the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880911' first='Victoria' last='Burpo'] (IA) - 2028 - 6'0 - F - [program_tooltip program_id='714272' first='Iowa' last='Battlers']</strong> <strong>S40</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='880911' first='Victoria' last='Burpo'] is a force in the paint. When her mind is set to dominate, that's what she does. She rebounds the ball and runs the floor well. Her shooting allows her to stretch the floor. Another thing that stands out is her ability to take you off the dribble. There aren't many post players who are comfortable putting the ball on the floor above the 3 point line and getting to the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201513' first='Ali' last='Aguirre'] (IA) - 2029 - 5'11 - CG - [program_tooltip program_id='712377' first='All' last='Iowa Attack']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1201513' first='Ali' last='Aguirre'] is another player who can play multiple positions. There's a saying that basketball is a positionless game and she checks that box off with her size and athleticism. Good ball handling skills and knows how to change speeds and directions efficiently and effective. Only in 7th grade, when she steps on the floor her freshman year in high school, Ali will be ready for varsity competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grace Wilson (IA) - 2029 - 5'7 - CG - Cy Select </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grace Wilson is a sharp shooter with abilities to shoot off the catch and off the dribble. She's doesn't rush her shot attempts, this player understands how to play the game in opposites. Grace can handle someone running her off the 3 point line because she can handle the ball. She makes the defense pay if they're lazy on close outs and/or go under ball screens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1224387' first='Emma' last='Miller'] (IA) - 2029 - 5'5 - CG - [program_tooltip program_id='712377' first='All' last='Iowa Attack']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1224387' first='Emma' last='Miller'] can get to the basket when she's confident. She plays strong off of two feet and can draw and one while taking the contact. In addition, Emma can stretch the floor and knows how to play off the ball by making sure her curls and cuts to the basket are intentional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->