Victory Region Finals: Saturday 17U Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening day of our Victory Region Finals had plenty of excitement as teams fought tooth and nail for a place in our championship bracket on Sunday. When everything is on the line, you see who the toughest competitors are. Here were a few impactful guards who put their best on display during day one of our tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["884487"],"_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":1253117,"_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-683b9666a7a24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aniyah had an outstanding opening game for Indiana Showcase Black 17U at our Victory Region Finals. She had the ball on a string, changing directions with shifty dribble combinations, and jab steps. Aniyah made excellent decisions with the ball, hitting teammates in stride for assists with her strong bounce passes. Aniyah drilled a straightaway triple off the dribble and buried a tough fadeaway jumper in the corner. Her breakaway speed, relentless on-ball pressure, court vision, and ability to score at all three levels are exactly what teams need out of their lead guard. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["879410"],"_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":1253119,"_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-683b9666a7ab4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Amariyae was an extremely athletic and exciting guard to watch with [program_tooltip program_id='716111' first='Hoopademix' last=''] 17U on day one of our Victory Region Finals. She snatched a defensive rebound, pushed the ball with pace in transition, and side stepped her defender with an explosive eurostep move--kissing the floater off the glass through contact. Amariyae grabbed another defensive board and took it the distance for an and-one layup with a soft left-handed finish. She used a quick jab step in the corner, blew by her defender with a burst, and scored through contact off two feet--finished the three point play at the charity stripe. Amariyae used her length, speed, lateral quickness, and in-your-face pressure to cause havoc on the defensive end. Her shifty handles, full-speed dump off passes, and explosive steps were dynamic today. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["882430"],"_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":1253126,"_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-683b9666a7b0c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rhea was a playmaker on day one of our Victory Region Finals. She attacked hard downhill with a burst, sidestepped her defender, and converted an acrobatic layup through contact off the glass. She has a 2nd gear off the dribble and bursts through gaps like a running back--excellent ball-handling control with both hands. Rhea worked hard to turn the ball, cutting off dribbles with quick lateral slides. Her hard drives downhill resulted in many layups and free throws. She's a bullet point guard who gets the job done on both ends of the court for [program_tooltip program_id='716111' first='Hoopademix' last=''] 17U. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["743619"],"_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":1253123,"_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-683b9666a7b5a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maliyah had a great first day for [program_tooltip program_id='834910' first='Example' last='Sports'] 2026 Black at our PGH Victory Region Finals. She caught passes in transition and finished with both hands off two feet. Maliyah moved quickly on defense to keep the ball contained and fired crisp passes for assists to teammates. She caught the ball on the wing, burst through the gap with a rip move, and crossed over to bank in a tough floater over a contesting defender. Maliyah made a nice adjustment, coralling an off target pass in transition, and finishing with a left handed layup. She caused deflections and steals with her active defense, proving to be a difference maker on both ends.</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":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1253125,"_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-683b9666a7ba5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lily had a great first game for [program_tooltip program_id='1005346' first='Chicago' last='Sky Basketball Academy'] 2026-White today at our PGH Victory Region Finals. She drained a high-arcing rainbow three from the corner off the hop. Shortly after, she grabbed an aggressive defensive rebound, pushed the ball with pace in transition, and accelerated down the lane with a full head of steam to score a floater in traffic. Lily finished her basket cut on the block, gained the advantage, and grabbed the offensive rebound to score a strong put back off two feet. She buried another confident wing triple off the hop and caused turnovers with her active hands on defense. Lily was a playmaker on both ends who stood out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["877137"],"_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":1253124,"_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-683b9666a7c34"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nylah gave [program_tooltip program_id='716111' first='Hoopademix' last=''] 17U a spark with her perimeter shooting on day one of our Victory Region Finals. She buried a confident corner triple in the first half and stepped into another corner three to start the second half. She met a pass in the air to avoid a steal, and finished the play with a tough contested layup off the glass. Nylah defended in an athletic stance and worked hard for rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["852970"],"_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":1253127,"_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-683b9666a7c8d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Amalia was impressive for [program_tooltip program_id='1005346' first='Chicago' last='Sky Basketball Academy']-White 2026 on day one of our Victory Region Finals. It started right from the opening possession as Amalia used a screen and fired a straightaway triple off the bounce that found nothing but nylon. She found the bottom of the next again from beyond the arc later in the first half. Amalia fired dimes to teammates from different angles for assists and handled the ball confidently with both hands--creating space with a variety of dribble combinations. She drove with a burst downhill to score layups in traffic and worked hard to create turnovers on defense. Amalia showed poise and patience as she reversed the court with her dribble until the right scoring chance opened up for the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1228842"],"_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":1253122,"_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-683b9666a7cd7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jesica must be an early riser because she was dynamic right from the opening game at our Victory Region Finals. Jessica turned up the heat on defense with her all-out ball pressure and quick laterally steps. She ended a breakaway layup by swiping down on the ball to deflect it away. Jessica drilled a straightaway triple and drove with a burst downhill to cause fouls or score layups. She scored 17 points and would top that number with a 33 point outburst later in the day. Jessica spun defenders like a top with her quick change of direction crossovers to score a full-court layup and buried a deep wing three. Jessica fired at will all day, making several three pointers, and layups. She zipped one handed passes to teammates and turned steals into transition baskets for Soil 17U. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->