PGH Champions Challenge: Some Of The Best This Weekend

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We saw some ballers at the 12U and 13U age levels this weekend in Appleton, Wisconsin at the PGH Champions Challenge. Here are five players that really stood out to myself on the weekend in their contests. That could be because they played incredible defense or because they were unstoppable offensively. Either way, these individuals shined to everyone paying attention.</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":["882337"],"_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-6817d84d4479c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='882337' first='Payton' last='Ninneman'] is the life-force for Chapman Basketball 13U. Ninneman is only listed at 5'6 but she seems bigger on film. Today she was the middle of her team's zone offense, working the elbows and block area for buckets by the rim. When the ball was thrown to the wing, Ninneman would post up her matchup on the closet block possible for a split second, looking for a quick moment of opportunity. This is also someone who rebounds well for her size. She is willing to mix it up physically with anyone and everyone so that helps her stack those numbers in her favor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1218037"],"_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-6817d84d44802"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Club 52 12U has a few noteworthy prospects that are going to be players to know one day. Someone that stood out for the group today was Olivia Mayar in the middle of the floor. Mayar stands at 5'9, she is agile in her movements, and she is versatile for her age level. She can post up with her back to the basket and finish through contact or she can attack from the outside off of the dribble. She seems to be a three level offensive scoring threat with a smart head on her shoulder. If she continues to grow over-time, she is going to be someone we hear about more and more moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["875048"],"_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-6817d84d4486b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='875048' first='Kenley' last='Staska'] was the best defender that I saw this weekend. I mentioned Staska yesterday as being one of the best defenders I've seen all AAU season on the road and I stand by that after Day 3 of this event as well. Staska is physical, athletic, quick, a natural with an act for getting her hands on the basketball, and she is beyond disciplined. She is willing to guard her opponent in the full-court for a full contest, not giving up an inch of space and that stood out a few times over the past few days in Appleton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1206045"],"_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-6817d84d448c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When you have an individual playing up a grade-level and competing with supreme confidence, it's noteworthy. Especially when it happens at the middle school level because kids are still trying to, "come out of their shells", in some ways as human beings. Someone who played up and stood out at this event was [player_tooltip player_id='1206045' first='Cleo' last='Jenkins']. Jenkins came onto the floor and did her thing for her 12U [program_tooltip program_id='860091' first='Iowa' last='Ice'] crew. Jenkins demonstrated she can handle at a very high rate, she is a willing and able facilitator, and she can handle business herself while going to the rim if need be. The most important ability a player can have in this game is situational awareness and adaptability. I think Jenkins has a high level of both of those for her age level. Now it's all about stacking those days. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1231910"],"_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-6817d84d4491d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1231910' first='Zoey' last='Zukowski'] might be listed as a SG but she seemed like a natural all weekend long at the PG position. Zukowski is the type that you can give the ball to as a coach and you can trust that she is going to run things right for you. She is someone that understands pace of play, how to set up her teammates on both sides of the ball, and when to attack VS when to pull it back out and slow it down. She demonstrated this weekend that she can also get to whichever offensively level she wants to look for a bucket herself. This is definitely one of the better individuals we saw compete on the weekend in this event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->