PGH Victory Region Finals: Saturday 17U Shout Outs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening day of our Victory Region Finals had plenty of excitement. Here are several prospects who stood out with their teams on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["773809"],"_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":1253681,"_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-683de9a462243"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carmela had a very impressive first day at our PGH Victory Region Finals with [program_tooltip program_id='715758' first='Illinois' last='Game Time'] 17U. She demonstrated true mental and physical toughness after experiencing a hard foul on a breakaway layup attempt. Carmela popped right up, kept her composure, and drained both free throws. She converted many shots from the charity stripe and turned steals into layups. Carmela delivered accurate passes with both hands, caused havoc with her defensive pressure, and handled the ball confidently, scanning the floor with her eyes up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1226184"],"_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":1253696,"_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-683de9a4622e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Markayla showed promise with NWI Select 17U and gave the team an edge on defense during their first game at our Victory Region Finals. She blocked shots inside with authority and crashed the boards to secure rebounds. Markayla has athleticism and length that makes her tough to get by off the dribble. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["885127"],"_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":1253691,"_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-683de9a462364"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Izabella was a power forward prospect who started the PGH Victory Region Finals tournament strong on Saturday with [program_tooltip program_id='712577' first='Iowa' last='Prep'] 17U. She set solid screens and rolled to the rim to score layups off two feet. Isabella cut back door down the baseline to score a layup and battled for the advantage to secure rebounds. She finished well with a soft touch off two feet around the basket. Isabella utilized her length to force missed shots and deflect passes on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1225212"],"_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":1253682,"_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-683de9a4623df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cora is a tall and athletic forward who made her presence felt inside at our PGH Victory Region Finals on Saturday for [program_tooltip program_id='715758' first='Illinois' last='Game Time']. She worked her way into an offensive rebounding position and scored several put-backs. Cora added many rebounds on the defensive end and set teammates up to score by passing out of the post when her shot wasn't there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["875058"],"_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":1253684,"_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-683de9a462458"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Molly (5-6, SG) was a knockdown 3-point shooter for [program_tooltip program_id='715758' first='Illinois' last='Game Time'] 17U on Saturday during our PGH Victory Region Finals. She started the game with a deep straightaway triple off the catch and found nylon on multiple 3-pointers from different spots on the court. She poked the ball away with a quick swipe on defense and took the steal quickly down the court to score a breakaway layup off two feet. Molly finished well off the dribble and added an offensive rebound put-back. She made a great adjustment in transition to catch an over-the-shoulder pass and then finished the play with a left-handed layup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["896447"],"_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":1253685,"_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-683de9a4624d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brooklyn had a solid day for [program_tooltip program_id='712577' first='Iowa' last='Prep'] 17U at our Victory Region Finals. She used all of her length on defense, maintaining an excellent defensive stance to close driving lanes and passing windows. She caught a pass in transition and instead of forcing a contested shot, dished an extra pass to her wide-open teammate for the assist. Brooklyn jumped into the passing lane for a steal and secured rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1224850"],"_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":1253690,"_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-683de9a462549"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Zora was an athletic forward who caught my attention on Saturday with [program_tooltip program_id='715758' first='Illinois' last='Game Time'] 17U. She worked hard to make an impact on both ends of the court. Zora jumped into the passing lane to deflect the ball away for a steal, then pushed the ball with pace to score a fast break layup. Her aggressive defense and length created deflections and blocks. She showed great sportsmanship by tying up the ball and then helping her opponent up off the floor. Zora was a relentless rebounder, grabbing many offensive boards, and she finished well off two feet in the paint. She made a great read to cut backdoor for a catch and finish off two feet. Her quick lateral footwork and effort to contain ball-handlers on the perimeter were impressive. Zora had a great first day at our PGH Victory Region Finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1229546"],"_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-683de9a4625d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Destine made some athletic plays with the ball in her hands on Saturday for NWI Select 17U on Saturday. She pushed the ball confidently with both hands in transition, used a hesitation crossover move, and hung in the air to bank in a contested mid-range jumper. Destine crashed the glass hard to secure offensive rebounds. She scored a put-back off the glass and caused the defense to put her on the free throw line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->