PGH Victory Region Kick Off: Guards Who Impressed On Saturday

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are over 225 teams competing in Chicago this weekend at the PGH Victory Region Kick Off. Today we saw all types of prospects and programs go to battle to start off their 2025 AAU season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this piece we highlight five guards that had notable showings on Saturday. These five players demonstrated that they can compete at a high level and they are willing to mix it up with anyone in their way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["518717"],"_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-67f1f63fba3f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The NY Havoc program came into Chicago all the way from the east coast and they did not disappoint. One of their more impressive talents throughout their program that I saw today was [player_tooltip player_id='518717' first='Anna' last='Moser'] at the PG position. Moser is a floor general, a skilled tactician with the basketb[program_tooltip program_id='712375' first='All' last='in'] her possession, and she seems to play the game the right way. If you are looking for a player with the ability to lead, create, facilitate, and make big plays for the others around them, then Moser might be one to consider. She was being tested all day long with tough pressure in the full court and she handled things calmly down the floor without turning it over. [program_tooltip program_id='712375' first='All' last='in'] all, good showing in my book.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1219091"],"_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-67f1f63fba463"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1219091' first='Lily' last='Pones'] is listed as a SG but she displayed her PG abilities today in her contests. Pones was setting up the offense for her team, running the show at the top of the key, and making smart plays when they mattered the most. She didn't seem to force any action but instead, she let the game come to her. Something that is easier said than done. This isn't someone that is going to kill you with flashy moves but more-so with steady play. Which is very much respectable. I'll be back to watch Pones and her Sky group again tomorrow. If they have another showing like they did Saturday morning, they will finish this weekend proud but not satisfied. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971422"],"_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-67f1f63fba4ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When a player puts a certain type of spin on the ball or makes a certain type of pass down the court, sometimes it's noticeable with how "smart" that type of play turns out to be. Someone who showed glimpses of that today was Alyssa Burkhart of Lexington Crossover UA Rise 2028. Burkhart plays more as a duel PG or off-guard coming down the floor with who else is around her but she still makes a major impact with how well she sets others up. Multiple times on Saturday we saw Burkhart hit her teammates down the floor for a full-court dime. When she was in the half-court, she made the most of her open attempts from the field and that was also pretty noticeable. This team is one that is loaded with guard talent so that Burkhart stood out as one of the best on the day is something she should be proud of.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["888387"],"_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-67f1f63fba4ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lana Mannetter has every natural gift to be a next level player at several places across the Country once she gets to that stage in her career. Mannetter demonstrated length, a fundamental skill set across the board in everything she did, and natural athletic ability compared to most others. She understands that she has size advantages all over the floor in most matchups and she uses that size to make simple shots over smaller defenders. Her reach also lets her switch onto multiple types of opponents on defense. She can stick with someone smaller or she can wall up in the post against someone who may have more height and muscle. Bottom line - This is a scholarship prospect. If she keeps working, she is going to have a bright future on the hardwood for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["502240"],"_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-67f1f63fba529"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Team Iowa 17U started off slowly on Saturday afternoon. Their source of energy and production offensively in the first half was PG - Samantha Becker. Becker was making crafty plays in almost every other situation to help her team take a lead within the first 20 minutes. She record multiple AND1 attempts in a row after attacking her defender, going down the left side of the lane for some off-hand finishes. From there she worked her game into assisting more and really getting after it on the defensive side of things. She ended with multiple steals, tips, and deflection, which ultimately gave her team more possessions in the grand scheme of things. Becker checks a lot of boxes that college recruiters have. She just needs to find the right fit and the rest will be history </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->