Top Performers #PGHSophomoreIDTX

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I love catching NEW FACES as well as those I already know about who continue to elevate their games and I saw plenty of the latter at the event. Here is part one of the Top Performers, my All-Showcase squad will be part 2, yet please remember Team Evaluations are coming, I'm doing teams 1, 2, and 3 while @PlayerRIMedies will drop 4, 5, and 6, but first, here ya go<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["950236"],"_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-66e169a9ec222"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perry left me speechless at the <strong><em><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/07/opening-day-top-performers-nevillejonesinvitational/">Neville Jones Invitational</a></em></strong> in July and I automatically added her to the<strong> WATCHLIST</strong>. I have watched enough basketball to know what she does and where she is as far as talent in the state and she just blew me away blowing by defenders to score or dish. Her 1st step, crossover, and court vision while going full speed are next-level ready right now, and so are her acrobatic finishes. Her jumper was effective and her defense was smothering</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["764252"],"_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-66e17b0ab8cda"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Phillips gave me a glimpse of what was coming during the "3 on 3" games immediately starting with her being a "long and athletic" guard, also the base, that came from out of nowhere to block shots. She elevated to rebound as well as score around the basket, but she also did it to drop the jumper. Much of the same during the 5 on 5, yet going "coast to coast" to score or dish, yes her court vision across the board was nice, so was her "on the ball" defense, and she played the passing lane</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["991237"],"_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-66e17b0ab8d30"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rankin also gave me an eyeful at the<strong><em><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/07/opening-day-new-faces-nevillejonesinvitational-pt-1/"> Neville Jones Invitational </a></em></strong>and her first step during the "3 on 3" and her body control on her finishes after contact had me smiling. During the "5 on 5" I caught the HEZ and that was a game-changer as she scored off the dribble, with solid body control after contact. Her jumper from midrange was nice, yet her "catch and shoot" from deep was special as she dropped it with a hand in her face. She saw the floor and applied "on the ball" pressure baseline to baseline, as well as in the set</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["764231"],"_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-66e17b0ab8d70"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wanton was one of the standouts at last season's <strong><em><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2023/09/pgh-freshman-showcase-review-teams-3-4-2/">Freshman Showcase </a></em></strong>yet as I mentioned in the opening paragraph, I love seeing players elevate their games. She immediately separated herself during the "3 on 3" by scoring however she wanted, her jumper continued to drop from mid to long-range during 5 on 5, including the "catch and shoot". She saw the floor across the board, she rebounded and went "coast to coast" to score, yet her strong finishes after contact were nice, body control played a part. Her "on the ball" defense was solid, so was her timing to block shots</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["764288"],"_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-66e17b0ab8dae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bookman is one of the most powerful guards in the state, all classes included and she can punish defenders off the dribble. I think back to seeing her ELEVATE her game over the past season, starting with the<strong><em><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2023/09/pgh-freshman-showcase-review-teams-3-4-2/"> Freshman Showcase</a></em></strong> and I just smile because she isn't done. Her midrange looks good, she hits the boards and handles the ball afterward, plus her court vision in transition stood out, so did her defense </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["925978"],"_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-66e17b0ab8dea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dyton traveled to Texas from Oregon for a reason and she immediately grabbed my attention with her timing to block, alter, and (or) deflect shots in the "3 on 3". She also showed me she could defend, and score around the basket yet when the fullcourt games began, all bets were off as she showed explosiveness off the dribble to blow by defenders and finish strongly after contact. Her crossover was nice, and so was her court vision yet her pull-up jumper in the set as well as the "stop and pop" in transition were both impressive, as was her "on the ball" defense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[962089],"_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-66e17b0ab8e25"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Richard also crossed the state line to showcase her skills and let me say this, she left a lasting first impression. Let me start with her posting defenders up and dropping the turnaround jumper, but her pull-up and "catch and shoot" from deep were also nice, all of that in the 3 on 3. She's a long and athletic guard who not only rebounded but handled the ball afterward. She saw the floor, scored off the dribble, finished using solid body control after contact, and did a good job defensively in and outside the paint</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->