PGH Kansas City Clash: Guards In Total Control

Today in Kansas City we had some great showings from prospects of all ages at the PGH Kansas City Clash. In this piece we discuss five individuals that took over total control in their team's contests today. These players are all guards that really made sure to do what they could in their efforts while leaving it all on the floor.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    Lansford is the definition of a guard that is always in complete control of her own dribble and her team's offensive system as a whole. If you are looking at all of the prospects competing at the 12U-15U age levels, this is one of the smartest, most well rounded players you will find. She understands pace-of-play to a T, she knows a lot of situational basketball and what she is suppose to do when, and she kills it in the aspects of being a pass-first guard, who is always in control. Lansford seems naturally like a PG but she is movable within her team's system. She can produce off the ball as well so her versatility is noteworthy.     [player_tooltip player_id='1224383' first='Shea' last='Rapp'] is a recruit out of Iowa in the 2029 Class and she is going to be a vital weapon on the Varsity floor this upcoming Winter at Ridge View High School. Rapp is an athletic and quick-thinking PG, that has a tight dribble and some nice vision in the open court. She is someone that you can give the ball to against a full court press and she will dribble through it pretty effortlessly. After that, she will either continue to keep pace by attacking the defense or she will get into the teeth of the defense to create for one of her fellow teammates. There has also been times today in which Rapp passed the ball and moved away from the play to the opposite wing or corner. When the ball made it's way back to her, she did a thorough job of lining up and knocking down three pointers off the catch. All in all, great showing today for Rapp and company. She showed how to run and control her team's production on both ends, which was important in her team's overall success.     When I first sat down to watch [player_tooltip player_id='1243767' first='Elin' last='Diskin'] and her [program_tooltip program_id='715643' first='Kansas' last='Elite'] team to compete, she was placed in the middle of her team's offense against a 2-3 because of her ability to make accurate and smart passes. From there, Diskin showed off her ability to run the PG spot from the outside of the zone with how well she can get her teammates the ball in favorable positions. When you watch a young prospect, you can tell if they have it as a passer early on. It's a mixture of their touch on the pass, when they look to pass, and how they physically get it out of their hands. You can tell that Diskin is an elite passer with her combination of all those things. She might have a lot to learn still but she has promise. That's for sure.     [player_tooltip player_id='1243432' first='Amelia' last='Paradise'] of Missouri Phenom KC 14U White is playing up a grade level and holding her own in every facet of the game so far this weekend. This is a hooper with lightning quick speed down the court, along with great control of the rock while doing it. On a number of occasions this afternoon, Paradise was rebounding on the defensive end, taking it full court in the blink-of-an-eye for an easy finish in transition. The first time I saw this play unfold, I was impressed. Then it happens 3/4 more times and I realized, this happens often when Paradise is out on the hardwood competing. Her speed, handle, and overall control is impressive and they are only going to get better with time.     "Disgusting handle and complete control of the basketball." This is the first note I have written down about Deonna King and her ability to do things with the basketball in her possession. In pressure situations she is very good at squeezing into small spots with her air-tight handle, she can finish once she see's an open lane going down-hill towards the hoop, or she can run the team's offense and score off of back cuts or screens with her ability to move into the right place at the right time physically. This is one of those players that you always have to have someone attached too. If not, she is going to fill up the stat sheet on you in a hurry.

Today in Kansas City we had some great showings from prospects of all ages at the PGH Kansas City Clash. In this piece we discuss five individuals that took over total control in their team's contests today. These players are all guards that really made sure to do what they could in their efforts while leaving it all on the floor.