PGH Victory Region Finals: Saturday 17U Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening day of our Victory Region Finals saw six states and 24 teams compete in the 17U division. Several prospects earned top performer designations and made plays that ended up in my notes. Here are a few girls who had solid first days at the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1227046"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1253244,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-683bd91d3ccf3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ashley is a promising wing from BIG 3 2026. She drained a pair of triples and created space with crossover spin dribbles. Ashley stretches her arms and feet wide when defending the ball to force errant passes and blocked shots in the paint. She showed solid potential on day one of our Victory Region Finals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1223177"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1253245,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-683bd91d3cd5f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jessica had a monster 15-point first half for [program_tooltip program_id='834910' first='Example' last='Sports'] 2026 Black in their first game at our Victory Region Finals. She swiped the ball away, raced towards the hoop, and finished the full-court layup through contact. Jessica's defensive pressure forced a five-second call, and she drained a smooth corner three. Jessica was a relentless rebounder and unstoppable finisher at the rim. She has appealing athleticism, strength, height, and perimeter confidence. Jessica continued to make a difference on both ends throughout the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["892063"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1253246,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-683bd91d3cdb6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ashlee was important to the [program_tooltip program_id='834910' first='Example' last='Sports'] 2026 Wolfpack comeback win on day one of our Victory Region Finals. She used a jab move to throw off a defender and then blew by to cause a foul at the rim. Ashlee deflected a ball out of bounds, worked hard to pursue rebounds, and moved well laterally to keep ball-handlers from driving. She blew past a defender with a fast flex cut and scored the layup with a powerful finish. Ashlee has athleticism, strength, and toughness that leave an impression. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["875102"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1253250,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-683bd91d3ce10"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Temperance is a lanky 6-1 power forward who had two great games for A.R. Elite 17U to start our Victory Region Finals. She closed out quickly to create deflections and block shots. Temperance knocked down free throws with a mechanically sound high-release on her follow-through. She had a dominant second game. Temperance swatted shots out of bounds with authority in the paint, was an offensive rebound put-back machine, and finished layups off two feet. She sealed a defender to score again in the paint and absorbed contact on a drive, then finished with touch off the glass. Her athleticism and length was a challenge for opponents on both ends of the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1253251,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Payton Thier","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cedar Springs Kennedy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='712577' first='Iowa' last='Prep']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-683bd91d3cead"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Payton was one of the most competitive prospects I watched on day one of our PGH Victory Region Finals with [program_tooltip program_id='712577' first='Iowa' last='Prep'] 17U. She caused several steals with her length and hit the deck hard to wrestle for 50/50 balls. Payton showed mental toughness by not complaining about a clear missed call and was a constant rebounding presence. Payton dished out assists to teammates and made an excellent hammer pass down the baseline. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->