Mental Edge Series: Players Who Win With Effort

Skills are great—but it's those “controllables” that make certain players stand out as true assets. In this installment of my Mental Edge Series, I'm focusing on players from the MT Elite Ducks AAU team. What strikes me about these athletes is their hustle, defensive intensity, and infectious energy—all driven by effort, focus, and mindset.    Ella is a vocal, focused standout post player. I previously wrote about her <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2025/06/which-forwards-and-centers-stand-out-for-mt-elite-ducks/">skills</a>, but here I want to emphasize her work ethic. For someone her size and position, she moves on offense and defense very quickly, runs the floor exceptionally well and communicates continuously. Her communication as a an underclassman is elite and will be what sets her apart from her peers. That leadership and energy make her a cornerstone on any team.     Reagan is a tough guard with high defensive IQ. Her AAU president described her as someone who “does anything needed to help her team win.” And that was evident in the showcase - I was especially impressed with her focus on defense. She really locks in, contains the ball, and plays with pride. Her two‑way intensity makes her deserving of attention.     Sojo is a strong guard who leads with hustle. I covered her in a previous <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2025/07/wings-who-made-noise-at-the-mt-elite-showcase/">piece</a>, but wanted to spotlight her grit again here. At the showcase, she used hustle to grab rebounds, make disciplined closeouts, and play with scrappiness. She defends confidently, goes after loose balls, and lifts team intensity with her energy and focus. Sojo stays confident no matter who she is defending and it is evident that she is locked in on getting a stop. She's a player who brings toughness and intensity—elevating the culture around her.     Raeanna is another guard I've <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2025/07/wings-who-made-noise-at-the-mt-elite-showcase/">covered</a>, but here I'm zeroing in on her toughness. At the showcase, she closed out hard, played defense beyond half out, snagged steals and rebounds, and had great presence with her quickness and strength —whether she had the ball or not. There was a string of multiple possessions where Raeanna helped create stops and steals. Raeanna plays with sharp instincts, unrelenting hustle, and great focus. She is a player that uses her IQ and athleticism to impact the game on both ends of the floor.     Ella is a standout guard and a two-time Patriot League All-Star. What sets her apart is her hunger and competitive spirit. At the showcase, her presence was felt—she made it tough for opponents to score, generating steals and momentum. She may be undersized, but her defensive intensity is so strong you won't even notice it—just the kind of point guard every team needs.     Dharma is a multi-sport athlete who captured her high school team's 2023–24 Hustle Award. That perfectly reflects who she is: a player who dives into the gritty, thankless parts of winning. At the showcase, her focus, effort and defense stood out—she gathered up steals, disrupted ball handlers, and helped her team convert those into shot attempts or points. Her composed, mature approach to the little things fuels big team results.

Skills are great—but it's those “controllables” that make certain players stand out as true assets. In this installment of my Mental Edge Series, I'm focusing on players from the MT Elite Ducks AAU team. What strikes me about these athletes is their hustle, defensive intensity, and infectious energy—all driven by effort, focus, and mindset.