The National Championship – 2026 Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final grassroots tournament of the season that I was able to attend was The National Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. The Kentucky Exposition Center was filled with talent on 50 courts all under one roof. Here's a look at a few players in the class of 2026 who performed well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["666667"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a987e21dfb0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schlorf had an exceptional summer and The National Championship was no different. My notes on Makayla are long so I could go on all day long about her play, but being on the court and making those around her better may just be her best quality. She is an energy player and her teammates feed off of that. She will not be outworked on the defensive end of the court with her intense defense. Offensively, she has great court vision and high passing skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["734949"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a987e21e035"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Allen had an impressive summer of basketball with her [program_tooltip program_id='713024' first='Michigan' last='Drive Premier'] team. She demonstrates great footwork around the rim and has soft hands. She does an excellent job of sealing her defender to get scoring position with ease. Her drop-step is powerful and hard to guard. She often grabbed defensive rebounds and quickly delivered long passes to her running teammates, leading to transition buckets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["502320"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a987e21e091"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Liggins had an exceptional summer of AAU basketball. Her strong high school play carried over to her grassroots season. She is an athletic, shifty guard who showed off her athleticism by getting multiple blocks on taller players while keeping her body in control. She is quick, getting down the floor in a flash to score transition buckets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["502309"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a987e21e0e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thelen is a great basketball scorer! She stepped up and delivered when her team needed points. She had an impressive summer of basketball, and the National Championship was no different. She can score from anywhere on the court and always makes smart decisions with the ball. She doesn't take unnecessary or bad shots. I'm excited to watch her and her Portland team play this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["895711"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a987e21e13c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bengel had an outstanding performance at the National Championship. She is a composed player who consistently positions herself well on the court. When she starts scoring from long range, she's unstoppable. She made multiple three-pointers over the weekend. [player_tooltip player_id='893890' first='Elly' last=''] showcased a swift crossover move to bypass her defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["613940"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a987e21e190"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Piepho had an impressive weekend at The National Championship. She pushes the pace after a defensive rebound while staying under control and can deliver passes for transition buckets. She is able to drive down the lane and finish through contact. She has a smooth shot from behind the arc and connected on multiple threes over the weekend. Keep an eye on Gabby for what looks to be a big junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["773851"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a987e21e1f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schafer had an impressive summer of AAU basketball, and the National Championship was no exception. She has great footwork around the rim and showed her ability to stretch the floor by knocking down a few 3's on the weekend. She works hard on the offensive glass to give her team more scoring opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->