Battle in the Sunflower: 17u Notes Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PGH Circuit came to a close this weekend with the Battle in the Sunflower event. I always enjoy this event because it gives me an opportunity to expand my evaluation area. Several of these players we follow each other but I only get to see film so it is nice to watch some live action. I actually get the chance to put some eyes on them.&nbsp;<strong>Check out these 7 players&nbsp;</strong>I am only one scout so If I missed you please reach out. Tag me in those highlights or give me a follow on these platforms. x @coachjvick2 IG @coach_jvick</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1264872"],"_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-686cbc289cfd6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A forward that consistently stood out in my notes with the hustle on every play she gave. A tough player around the rim that battle inside with the much taller post but still found ways to score or get to the free throw line. Showed a nice mid-range jumper at the 15ft mark that had to be respected. Drawing the defense away from the rim allowed her to attack the driving lane to the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no question the effort as she just plays all out on every possession. I could see her playing the 3/4 position in the offense. Good slasher away from the ball to go with the mid-range jumper fitting that 3 guard. Strong and gritting around the board that gets you those offensive rebounds for putbacks. A 2026 that I am seeing for the first time at this event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["881014"],"_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-686cbc289d037"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A very athletic combo guard that stood out in the up-tempo pace. Impressive was the pull up jumper off the dribble. The ball was picked up off the dribble and quickly into the shooting pocket not giving the defender chance to challenge it. A good downhill driver that read the defense and adjusted her moves to avoid the charge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick lock down defender on the ball that applied pressure sideline to sideline. Picked up the steals for layups when defending the passing lanes. A 2026 guard that I had the opportunity to see play at this event. In doing some research she recorded a double double last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1093376"],"_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-686cbc289d07e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Possibly among the top complete guard that I saw this weekend. She caught my attention as she just plays with a lot of bounce. Meaning she seemed to be making plays on offense and defense. A nice outside shooter from 3-point range with quick release on the catch or off the dribble. Good decisions on the paint touches making the correct reads. Looked comfortable as the point guard with good ball control and up the floor vision. A crafty scorer in the paint with a step through move or a nice reverse layup. A combo guard that is going to get you those offensive rebounds like a forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Understands help rotation on defense. At times even helped the helped which is a plus in my notes. As mentioned earlier an excellent rebounding guard that can get a long miss and take it coast to coast. Enjoyed watching the effort and IQ she plays with on both ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["721418"],"_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-686cbc289d0c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The small forward caught my attention both days as she continued to just play solid every time I watched her team play. She does the little things that add up is the best way I can put it. Again, I am seeing Ella play for the first time knowing no back ground. A nice mid-range game that was effective off the pass or a rip dribble into a pull up jumper. The type of forward that plays outside but could easily jump in the high post against a zone. Strong power moves with a solid base in the post. Good pump fakes in getting the defender off their feet drawing the foul or bucket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As mention strong forward that did not mind getting physical in defending the paint. Yet her lateral move was good in forcing the ball handler baseline not giving up many paint touches off the wing. Hustler on the boards that ran the rebound down. As you continue to watch her game you begin to appreciate what she brings to the team</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["880997"],"_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-686cbc289d101"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A very versatile forward that can play the small or power forward position about equally. Starting the game, she was getting out and filling the lanes on transition making those catches laying it up nicely off the glass. A player that you must find in the half court set as she knocked down the 3-pointer. Best move on the drives is a solid spin move finishing off two feet Impressive was the footwork on the catch while coming off the screens. The step created the space needed as she quickly squared up reading the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The versatility showed when she moved inside to play on the block. Good patience on the block using her back to feel and reading the defense before making her move. On the scouting report it has to say must box out! As she was a forced on the offensive rebound putbacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["924533"],"_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-686d615ae2a62"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The point guard that played solid each game I watched and brings little bit of every skill set you are looking for in a guard. A good shooter from 3-point range on the catch and shoot. Feet were set, hands ready all she needed was the ball on the kick or reversal. When ran off the line she wasted no time in getting to the paint reading the defense. She showed a pull up jumper, straight drive or the kick to the open shooter. On the pick and roll with the post she showed the patience to give the roller the time needed before passing the ball resulting into a nice scoring opportunity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scrappy guard that had no issues in getting on the floor for the loose ball. Nice reads on the next pass jumping the lane for the steal leading to points off turnovers. Matney never seemed to get tired or have an attitude. I watched her attack the rim get knocked to the ground on the no call and hustled back on defense. Enjoyed watching her play in person for the first time this weekend.. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1091996"],"_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-686d615ae2af9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Got off to a monster start in game one with 19 points and 16 rebounds. Not knowing Jenna I continued to watch the box scores and every game she either records a double double or flirted with it Good hands and a nice shot touch being A high percentage shooter inside the paint that did not miss many opportunities in scoring. Impressive thing that I noticed that she jumps off two feet giving great balance on the shot. A good mid-range shooter that can hit the top of the key 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively she is a wall in the paint that gives up no ground and did not make unnecessary fouls trying to block shots. Great rebounder that works for the inside position and gets off the ground to grab the board. The 2026 has several offers to continue playing at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->