Next Up: Middle School Standouts at Drive to the Hoop Classic

Sunday's Drive to the Hoop Classic at Cornerstone University offered a glimpse into the future of girls basketball, as middle school players from across the area stepped onto the floor and made strong impressions. The gym was full of energy, and the level of skill, competitiveness, and confidence on display stood out throughout the day. From smooth ball-handlers to tough defenders and emerging scorers, these young athletes showed why they're names to start remembering as they continue to develop.    Despite being just a sixth grader, Elsie played a major role in helping the [program_tooltip program_id='714264' first='OPS' last=''] seventh-grade team capture a championship and stood out as one of the top performers in the gym, regardless of age. The skilled guard gets downhill in a flash, using advanced ball-handling and creativity to break down defenders and make plays with the ball in her hands. Her feel for the game is impressive for her age, showing strong instincts, smart decision-making, and confidence on both ends of the floor. Defensively, she brings toughness and focus, using her length to pressure the ball, disrupt passing lanes, and lock in on assignments. Add in her ability to knock down shots, and Elsie looks like a complete guard well ahead of schedule—earning her my pick for seventh-grade MVP.     Tylar is an exciting point guard for Crossover who makes an immediate impact with her speed and creativity off the dribble. She changes pace effortlessly, uses tight handles to create separation, and puts constant pressure on the defense by getting downhill. Her ability to finish through contact, turn defense into offense with quick steals, and score in a variety of ways—including soft floaters and pull-up jumpers along the baseline—shows a mature offensive package. With her quickness, confidence, and playmaking ability, Tylar is a guard who should be firmly on the radar over the next few seasons.     Lillian stood out in a big way for Midwest Braves at the Drive to the Hoop Classic, putting on a shooting display from beyond the arc that was impossible to keep count of. The steady point guard played with remarkable composure, consistently making the right reads and showing an advanced feel for the game. She's quick with the ball, confident handling pressure, and does an excellent job seeing the floor to set up teammates with timely passes. Lillian also wasn't shy about attacking the rim, finishing effectively with either hand, and her anticipation on defense led to multiple takeaways. It was my first opportunity to see her play, and she left a strong impression as a player I'm eager to follow in the years ahead.     Carmen impressed as the floor general for [program_tooltip program_id='1226083' first='West' last='Michigan Drive'], showing a strong command of the game from the point guard spot. She handled the ball confidently, made sound choices under pressure, and consistently kept her team organized against aggressive defenses. On the defensive end, she brought a physical presence at the point of attack, making life difficult for opposing guards. Carmen also displayed polished touch near the basket, using sharp footwork to create space, including a smooth step-through that led to a left-handed floater. Her ability to see plays develop resulted in several well-timed passes and even a handful of blocks, highlighting her all-around impact and feel for the game.     Addison played a pivotal role in leading her team to the 8th grade championship at the Drive to the Hoop Classic, delivering standout performances throughout the day. She proved to be a complete scorer, putting points on the board from the perimeter, the midrange, and at the rim, where she consistently finished through traffic. Her confidence from deep was evident as she buried several three-pointers, and she mixed in crafty moves like a polished euro step to create scoring chances. On the defensive side, Addison was just as impactful, using quick hands to force turnovers and come away with multiple steals while matching up with players at every position on the floor. Her dominance, versatility, and two-way effort made her the clear choice for 8th grade MVP.     Briannah was a key force for [program_tooltip program_id='1226083' first='West' last='Michigan Drive'], helping propel her team all the way to the championship game with her dynamic play on both ends of the floor. The long, explosive guard used her athleticism and timing to make plays defensively, recording multiple blocks and consistently pulling down rebounds. Offensively, she put constant pressure on the defense, using a quick first step to get downhill and finish strong at the basket. She also showcased her shot-making ability, connecting on a smooth pull-up jumper and creating space for a clean step-back. With reliable ball-handling skills and an aggressive attacking mindset, Briannah proved to be a difference-maker and a guard worth tracking moving forward.

Sunday's Drive to the Hoop Classic at Cornerstone University offered a glimpse into the future of girls basketball, as middle school players from across the area stepped onto the floor and made strong impressions. The gym was full of energy, and the level of skill, competitiveness, and confidence on display stood out throughout the day. From smooth ball-handlers to tough defenders and emerging scorers, these young athletes showed why they're names to start remembering as they continue to develop.