Saturday Southern Showdown: Get to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking a look at ^ players who caught my eye and attention in their games Saturday. I mixed it up with some I have never seen before but then added some highly ranked like Gracie Ward from Colorado. All of these players impact their summer teams and school teams as well. Check them out and if I missed you send me your highlights. Tag or follow X @coachjvick1 IG @coach_jvick</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["471059"],"_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-68202294eadfb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">First impression when watching Gracie play for the first time was her toughness that she plays with. She just has that physical presence about her that as a coach you like seeing. These are the types of qualities and attitude you want in a PG. Great ball handler with either hand that seemed in control always looking up the floor against the press. When watching her handle the press you could see that she plays at a High IQ. She was patient with the ball waiting for things to come open before making the error pass</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A good shooter in the transition that uses the dribble to get in rhythm for the pull up jumper. Contently moving off the ball finding the gaps for the kick out shot. Not knowing who she was then finding out later she is a Top 10 player makes sense with such a strong game. Enjoyed watching her play this past weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1234699"],"_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-68202294eae89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">First time watching Nae play and what stood out first was the tough, aggressive and quick defense she was applying in the front on the full court press. If I had to pick a lockdown list for Saturday Nae would be on that list of players. A player that steals possessions on defense and converts them into scoring opportunities for her team. A very smooth shooter from 3 that knocked down the kick out as well as hitting them off the bounce. Favorite move of the day is attacking a closeout with the fake and side step jumper for the 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A player on a very talented team that still finds ways to showcase her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["574256"],"_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-68202294eaef9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Frist thing that caught my eye Saturday was how many deflections and steals Tyuana was collecting in the game. The defense presence that is a game changer in disrupting the other team's offense. A shooter that must be accounted for on defense as moves to the open spot for the 3 pointers. Looking at social media profile and Tyuana recorded some big-time games for her High School squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1051921"],"_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-68202294eaf60"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A very strong looking 2030 guard that played at a much higher level than a 8th grader. Showed outside range from 3 as she knocked down several in the game I watched Saturday. Impressive was the defense maturing she played with. Rotated on defense to provide help on drives to the rim. Reading jumping the passing lane on skip passes for steal. Offensively a player that founded her way through the gaps either with quickness or taking on the contact forcing her way to the rim. Played at a high level with little rest as she was needed on the court to help her team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 2030 that I have marked down to watch in high school but that will have to wait another year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1234122"],"_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-68202294eafc4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 2026 that I believe that will continue to show people what she can do as the summer continues. A 6'0 forward that uses her long wing span to be the rim protector on drives. Excellent job on defense walling up against a larger post making any shot difficult. Great job a cleaning up the put backs on the offensive end. On the offensive rebound keeps the ball high and shoots with a soft touch around the rim. Good looking shot at the high post area as well. You can tell when watching her play that there is room for growth before the upcoming school season begins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["896872"],"_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-68202294eb027"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An incoming freshman that is a exciting player to watch. Quick ball handler that pushes the tempo and at times ran right by the defender jogging back. A quick change of dribble and burst of speed gets her past the first line of defense. I do like the way she finishes at the rim. The finish is either a soft running layup high off the back board or a high floater just over the defender's hand. Do not play back on defense to protect the lane as she can shoot the 3 with range. A nice step back off the dribble is the go-to move to create some space also for the outside shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On defense she will stay in your space waiting for you to give up that easy steal. A tough defender that did not back down from anyone even the post player at times. A player to keep a eye on next season as she enters High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->