Starting to Break Down Team One From the PGH Freshman Showcase

Brady Peterson September 9, 2024 @ 10:58 AM

The PGH Freshman Showcase is in the books, and there are plenty of players to highlight from the event. We'll start by going through the 5v5 teams individually. So, over the next ten days, we'll highlight each of the teams and everyone I had notes on from the event, which is almost everyone. Today, we'll start with team one.   [player_tooltip player_id='992485' first='Anna' last='Witte']   The West Salem product wasn't someone who looked to take any available shot that came her way, but I thought she did plenty of the little stuff well. She played hard and got up and down the floor well in a setting that usually leads to plenty of transition basketball. I thought her shot looked solid, and she knocked down a three in the second half of the game I watched. She'll likely be an off-ball guard at West Salem whenever she earns varsity minutes, but I also loved her effort attacking the offensive glass. Kids who play with her level of effort are in rotations at some point.   [player_tooltip player_id='888427' first='Macy' last='Karl']   Post-players are notoriously challenging to judge early, but the early returns on Karl are positive. There's room for her skillset to develop around the rim, but she's smart enough to figure out how to create space. She utilized ball fakes and pivot steps well. However, what stood out about Karl was that she was one of the best rebounders yesterday. The Slinger forward dominated the glass in the second half, and anything that came her direction, she high-pointed and claimed. We'll see what they do with their rotations, but there could be a place for her early with the Owls.   [player_tooltip player_id='990262' first='Ronnyia' last='Murphy']   We'll see what more I do after I break down everyone I have notes on, but if I create a team that includes my favorite players to watch last weekend, Murphy would be on that list. I'm a sucker for defensive guards that apply copious amounts of pressure on the ball, and Murphy did that whenever she was on the floor. Murphy earned a handful of on-ball steals that led to points and finished through contact. Her shot will be what you hope improves, but defensively, Murphy was the best one in Appleton. I'm eager to see what she can do at Verona this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='888330' first='McKinley' last='Russell']   Of the players I've highlighted, all of them will walk into programs that have been highly competitive in recent memory. Now we shift our attention to a Shullsburg Miner, who lives about a half hour from Dubuque. The 6'0 wing did a little of everything from creating off the dribble, knocking down shots, and using her length on the defensive end. Russell has the physical tools to be a handful for programs in Southwest Wisconsin. Her ability to pass was also excellent for her age and size. Russell could initiate offense at a varsity level for a small school like Shullsburg.   [player_tooltip player_id='888035' first='Jacela' last='Fields']   One of the kids I was most impressed by was [player_tooltip player_id='888035' first='Jacela' last='Fields']. In the 3v3 and 5v5, she created off the dribble and showed off her creativity with the ball in her hands. The talent is there for her to be a productive player at the varsity level. She can handle the ball, make shots, and create for herself and others. Like most young guards, she'll make a mistake or two, but those will slowly dissipate over time. The tools are there for her to find a role early at Sun Prairie West because they could use some help in their backcourt, especially from ball handlers.

The PGH Freshman Showcase is in the books, and there are plenty of players to highlight from the event. We'll start by going through the 5v5 teams individually. So, over the next ten days, we'll highlight each of the teams and everyone I had notes on from the event, which is almost everyone. Today, we'll start with team one.