2024 Salsa Slam: Standouts Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>ALBUQUERQUE</em> -- The 2024 Salsa Slam was a three-game guarantee tournament featuring teams from Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With six different locations being used as playing sites, the 19th annual event was comprised of 240 registered teams (Boys &amp; Girls). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Girls Varsity (Gold) Division, there were 16 teams separated into five pools (A-E). Each team got two pool-play games before being seeded for bracket play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some standout players from this past weekend's slate of games!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='608254' first='Morningrain' last='Honani'] | Lady Dreams (AZ)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honani is a versatile shot creator that makes the game easier for her teammates. Morningrain is a fundamentally sound guard with good vision and feel to her game. Honani displayed a solid handle and ability to shield defenders with her body when attacking the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='648191' first='Jordyn' last='Dyer'] | NM Clippers 17u</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dyer's athleticism was on full display this past weekend on both ends of the floor. Jordyn did a good job of anticipating skip-passes leading to multiple steals and coast-to-coast takes. The length and speed Dyer possesses, makes her tough to stop especially when she is getting downhill. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='391110' first='Bleona' last='Agushi'] | NM Dogs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Agushi is a crafty offensive player who happens to also be a willing defender. Bleona has a solid handle package that allows her to create out on the perimeter and get into the lane where she has developed a nice floater. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1068199' first='Allyson' last='Tsosie'] | NM Mustangs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Allyson is a dynamic player with a smooth game all-around. Tsosie plays at her pace and does not get sped up whether that be in the halfcourt or on the fast break. Allyson can score in a variety of ways but is also a willing passer and capable defender who constantly creates deflections and errant passes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='860639' first='Melicia' last='Nelson'] | Lady Dreams (AZ)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson is a lanky guard with good footwork, who can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket but also utilize a pull up jumper inside 12 feet. Defensively, Melicia has active hands and the speed to recover and block shots if and when beat off the bounce. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kieryn Mann | Lady Dreams (AZ)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mann was money from the midrange all tournament long, cashing jumpers with ease from the elbows and short-corners along the baseline. Mann's ability to rebound in traffic was impressive; Kieryn continuously high-pointed the ball and was able to finish defensive possessions by obtaining control of the ball off the glass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='839428' first='Trinity' last='Calabaza'] | ABC 16u</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trinity is a physical frontcourt player who welcomes contact in the paint area. Calabaza was solid around the basket and gave great effort on the offensive glass. On the flip side, Trinity held her own as a rim protector, altering/blocking shots from the help-side position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->