Takeaways From Run 4 Roses

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've spent the last week in Louisville 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='764903' first='Ava' last='Van Vonderen']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive skill set has always been there for Van Vonderen. She can punish defenders in isolation, attack the offensive boards, and knock down perimeter shots. The other end has always been the question mark. It could be slightly skewed because of how effective the Flight 15U press is, but Van Vonderen looked significantly better on the defensive end. I thought she read the other team's offense well and made impressive individual plays on that end, mainly being the primary defender for post players. She's improved on that end in the past year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='533070' first='Allison' last='Jirsa']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The athletic tools Jirsa possesses are something programs at the next level will like and already do. The Verona guard has developed some lead guard skills that have come along well. She looks more comfortable with the ball in her hands, which translates into her being a more aggressive player off the dribble. She could return to Verona as a junior and surprise some people in the Madison area with an increased role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Yana Stephens</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2028 wing has a ways to go. However, the motor is something that you can't teach. Stephens doesn't always know where she needs to be because of her newness to her [program_tooltip program_id='713041' first='Wisconsin' last='Dynasty'], but the wing flies everywhere, which makes up for any other error she may make. She's a skilled kid who showed off some intriguing traits on the offensive end of the floor, but I liked what I saw from her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='533065' first='Rowan' last='Klesmit']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm biased because Klesmit is one of my favorite guards to watch in her class. People have asked me about her and anyone who knows the basketball talent in her family, and they get a response of "She's a Klesmit." That kid is as tough as they come and will probably only come out of games if people drag her off kicking and screaming. Klesmit can create off the dribble, get to the free-throw line, and create for others. People may get scared off because of her size, but whoever gets that kid will get an absolute warrior they can't keep off the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->