Underrated Players From The Weekend's Freshman Showcase

With some of the top ranked talent in the region showing up to the showcase over the weekend, there were a ton of girls to observe. The impressive play led to a competitive atmosphere that made it a joy to watch. With that being said, there was outstanding play from a good handful of young prospects, but there were some understated players that made appearances too that mustn't go unnoticed. Below are 5 underrated showings from the showcase.    [player_tooltip player_id='1005131' first='Bri' last='Duque'] (2028) | 5'8 SG | Rutgers Prep   Bri may have been the best shooter on the court. Duque has one of the smoothest shooting strokes around. The 5'8 marksman showed her all-around polished game throughout the day with a combination of her tough-nosed driving takes, shrewd defense and splendid shooting. She was very impressive, especially getting to witness her relentless shooting capabilities up close. The consistent form throughout the day, especially in the 3-point shooting competition was a display to marvel at. Duque has solid size mixed with a strong build that allows her to embrace contact on both ends of the floor. As a defender, Bri was accepting of every matchup she came across; a task that many possibly wouldn't accept. Overall, Duque was very impressive on the day and her showing should not be overlooked. An undeniable talent in the class.     [player_tooltip player_id='1005127' first='Marianna' last='Lamonica'] (2028) | 5'2 CG | Thayer   Marianna was one of the more surprising players on the day. Her impressive play throughout the entirety of the showcase made it unthinkable to leave her unnoticed. The first attribute that stood out was the fluid movement she was able to operate on the court with. The tight handle allowed her to freely function regardless of the pressure defense she faced from some of the better defenders from the camp. In 3v3 play, Marianna made it her point to get others involved; never forcing plays to happen. She also was able to get pullup midrange shots that she seemed comfortable getting to. The seamless play in 5v5 really stood out due to her ability to fend off hostile defenders during the competitive atmosphere. She also provided solid defense with her explosive lateral movement that grants quick bursts that kept skilled players in front of her. Overall, Lamonica was an underrated talent that should have an eye kept on her throughout the season. A ton of potential in Marianna's game.     [player_tooltip player_id='1005121' first='Noelle' last='Gallagher'] (2028) | 5'0 PG | Branford   Although a smaller guard, Gallagher offers plenty of game for her size. She wasn't shy about embracing a team first role that led to her being able to advance the ball up the floor without hesitation. Noelle offered some impactful shots that came at punctual times. Gallagher was also able to show that she wasn't afraid to assert herself in the higher leverage moments pf the games. The additional scoring was crafted skillfully through the incorporation of floaters and open set shots. Noelle was more than just meets the eye. She's a player that's an underrated talent should be accredited for her play at the showcase.     [player_tooltip player_id='1005123' first='Brooke' last='Bodnar'] (2028) | 5'9 CG | Thornton   Brooke was one of the better complete shooters from the showcase. Bodnar offered a great reliable sense of perimeter extension around the arc. A solid option for drive and kick plays from her teammates when they were penetrating the paint. Brooke made herself available by finding open space while relocating around the 3-point line. The Thornton Academy guard made herself a consistent target by being consistently shot ready and an easy reach for shooting relief from bailout plays. She offers a reliable dribble with great court awareness. Bodnar has decent size for the position that made her interchangeable for her squads, including on the defensive end. Bodnar was certainly an understated talent from the event     [player_tooltip player_id='1005132' first='Madeleine' last='Marques'] (2028) | 5'5 SG | Cranston West   Madeleine is a rising star in the making with the capacity to raise her level of play to another level. She has an unrevealed game that worked harmoniously with her teammates. The long and agile Marques has a frame that allow her to play multiple positions. She was able to find her rhythm at the showcase no matter where she was placed. Most of the plays Marques was involved with lead to winning plays. She was able to show some area of facilitation skills at times, but when she slid to an off-ball position, she remained a constant threat on the floor. She has a beautiful smooth and fast follow-through that was a pleasure to witness. Minimal time was needed for her to gather herself after the ball was kicked out to her. What advances Madeleine as a shooter is her propensity to do the early work before the ball arrives. Her hands are ready in her shot-pocket and she walks into her steps, finding the proper tempo comfortably. With her switchability on the defensive end, plus her prowess to disrupt passing lanes, Marques has a high celling. She may have been overlooked in the past, but after a good showing, it warranted recognition.

With some of the top ranked talent in the region showing up to the showcase over the weekend, there were a ton of girls to observe. The impressive play led to a competitive atmosphere that made it a joy to watch. With that being said, there was outstanding play from a good handful of young prospects, but there were some understated players that made appearances too that mustn't go unnoticed. Below are 5 underrated showings from the showcase.