2024 Salsa Slam: Standouts Part 2

<!-- 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>The 19th annual event consisted of 240 registered teams (Boys &amp; Girls) with six different locations used as playing sites.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Girls Varsity (Gold) Division, there were 16 teams placed across five pools (A-E), with all games being played at Sandia Prep High School. 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>Daeneja Agu-y | [program_tooltip program_id='712608' first='Lady' last='Heat'] (TX)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Daeneja is a lightning quick guard that embodies the word TOUGH. Agu-y is a physical on-ball defender that dives for loose balls and can defend multiple positions. There was several instances in which Daeneja held her own in the post versus opposing players with a significant height advantage. On the flip side, Agu-y was fantastic stretching the floor but was also effective attacking closeouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='391108' first='Jadyn' last='Montoya'] | Level Up New Mexico</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montoya is multilevel scorer who can create off the bounce, both in isolation and in the P'n'R game. Jadyn used her length and speed to attack smaller guards and slower forwards resulting in straight line drives to the basket and trips the the charity stripe. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alex Carter | [program_tooltip program_id='712608' first='Lady' last='Heat'] (TX)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carter has good positional size and a solid handle, allowing her to viable threat off the dribble in the halfcourt. Defensively, Alex was disruptive out on the perimeter, making opposing guards work to get into their sets and establish any type of rhythm. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='901165' first='Kayden' last='Tsosie'] | Lady Dreams</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tsosie is a skilled forward that can do a multitude of things on both ends of the floor. Kayden not only was able to give out buckets but was also able to secure stops when needed. Tsosie used her size to shoot over smaller defenders and to alter shots when contesting jumpers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Devaeh Johnson | [program_tooltip program_id='712608' first='Lady' last='Heat'] (TX)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson is a high energy player with good length, capable of playing multiple positions. In addition to her stellar defense, Deveah was deadly in catch &amp; shoot situations, particularly from three-point range. Johnson had little to no hesitation rising up, taking the outside shot with great confidence. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='648192' first='LillyAnna' last='Martinez'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='839457' first='Madilynn' last='Martinez'] | ABC 16u</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Martinez siblings are both shot creators who have a knack for making the right play in the halfcourt and in transition. LillyAnna moves well without the ball and has good vision in terms of keeping her head up and looking for the kick-ahead pass. LillyAnna also worked the P'n'R effectively handling the ball and did a good job of finding the screener. As for Madilynn, she ran the floor well, establishing early-offense and fast break chances. Madilynn was also fantastic keeping her dribble alive, not putting herself in a position to be trapped. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1058919' first='Elizabeth' last='Yazzie'] | Razzle Dazzle</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yazzie is a fundamentally sound guard capable of finishing with either hand around the basket. Elizabeth was able to consistently breakdown opposing defenders with her ball handling and did a great job of handling pressure out on the perimeter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->