Notes From Run 4 Roses

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've spent the last week in Lousiville for various events, including the Run 4 Roses Classic and Championship, EYBL, NE2K, and others. Today, I'd like to talk about some of the players who stood out before I head to Chicago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747942' first='Josie' last='Piurkowski']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>People can nitpick things like movement, athleticism, or any number of things, but you can't argue with the results that Piurkowski has put together in the last few months. The offensive output has been undeniable all summer. She's thrived in the off-ball role she's played in for [program_tooltip program_id='713043' first='Wisconsin' last='Impact']. Piurkowski has proven she can consistently make perimeter shots and has been effective off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='890999' first='Sophie' last='Busch']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I love wings who excel away from the ball. Busch doesn't need any action run for her, but her ability to make shots on the perimeter opens up the floor for kids who thrive attacking off the bounce. I'm always impressed with her ability to create extra possessions by having a nose for the ball and playing solid defense on the perimeter. She may never "take over" games, but what she does always has a place in a rotation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='764935' first='Jada' last='Seubert']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I walked into the Kentucky Expo Center and saw Seubert for the first time since last July, and she will probably be among the most prominent stock risers this August once the AAU season is over. P4 coaches went to games to watch her in particular, and I can't blame them. I always knew the skillset was there, but the athleticism blew me away after watching her for a few minutes. She scored wherever she wanted, created turnovers in her team's press, and looked like the best player in her minutes. After learning she broke her leg last year, I now understand her athleticism wasn't back last year, but it's here now. She may not realize how many people want to contact her after Nike Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888387' first='Lana' last='Mannetter']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Westosha native is young, so people may not have caught onto her yet, but that'll happen soon. Mannetter was excellent in her [program_tooltip program_id='713043' first='Wisconsin' last='Impact'] group's first run in EYCL, going undefeated in Louisville. The size, skill, explosiveness, and touch around the rim all jump off the page when you watch her play. I talked to a few P4 coaches about her, and I know others are fans of her game. I expect there will be some P4 programs that make time for her in Chicago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->