Film Study: Battle in the Emerald City Playmakers

Photo: Sniper Kwam Sniper Media Group

Ryan Morgan May 29, 2024 @ 10:00 AM

The Battle in the [program_tooltip program_id='713343' first='Emerald' last='City'] took place earlier this month and hosted some of the top players and teams from the surrounding area. Here are some of the top playmakers from the event who stood out with their ability to create on both ends of the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='586861' first='Ellalee' last='Wortham'] | NW Blazers PSA 17U | 2026   Wortham was a playmaker because of her awareness and ability to affect the game from multiple spots. She shot the ball well from long-range, contributed on the glass, and made nice reads to kick the ball out off of drives and recognize double teams coming down low. She made a big impact with a ton of little plays that added up throughout the game and was no doubt a playmaker for her squad.   Morgan Montgomery | Meta Hoops 3SSB 17U | 2025   Montgomery was one of the more impactful on-ball defenders I saw at the event. She sat in her stance, was quick side to side, and knew when to gamble on steals. She also made a few key passes on offense and was ready to make the extra pass, as well as anticipating cutters before the ball was in her hands.   [player_tooltip player_id='317132' first='Brooklynn' last='Haywood'] | Cal Stars EYBL 17U | 2026   Haywood was both an important shooter and playmaker, but her playmaking stood out because of her calm demeanor under tight defense and her ability to navigate crowded spaces. She was money from 3-point throughout the event but was also great at using ball fakes, stopping quickly on the attack, and pulling the ball back on the perimeter to give herself a little breathing room before attacking lanes.   [player_tooltip player_id='317600' first='Keiara' last='Curtis'] | NW Greyhounds 3SSB 17U | 2025   Curtis did a great job weaving through backcourt pressure and playing fast but controlled. She dealt with a lot of traffic and pressure while trying to set the offense in motion but was excellent at creating space and keeping her eyes up the floor. She found more than a couple of nice feeds on the go and was able to take advantage of favorable numbers on the break by finding the right pass.   [player_tooltip player_id='391868' first='Jayda' last='Lewis'] | [program_tooltip program_id='715266' first='Tree' last='of Hope EYBL'] 17U | 2025   Lewis is a quick player on the perimeter who showed good initial burst to beat her defenders as well as some craftiness and strength to split defenders in by the hoop. She showed good hands on the defensive end and was able to play with energy and pace on both ends of the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='579809' first='Shayla' last='Cordis'] | [program_tooltip program_id='715266' first='Tree' last='of Hope EYBL'] 17U | 2026   Cordis is another TOH guard who played with good pace on both ends of the floor but she also showed off a nice stroke from 3-point and was a key floor spacer for them. She was a solid passer on the move, had good activity defensively, and was a pretty important catalyst for them while she was on the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='375545' first='Jamison' last='Philip'] | NW Blazers Fire 17U | 2025   Philip is a sparkplug at point guard who affected the game on both ends of the ball. She has a good engine, locking down defenders on the perimeter and jumping passing lanes for steals. She's able to handle pressure well, has a secure dribble, and can patiently deal with tight defense to create space for passing lanes.

The Battle in the Emerald City took place earlier this month and hosted some of the top players and teams from the surrounding area. Here are some of the top playmakers from the event who stood out with their ability to create on both ends of the floor.