Great Lakes Kickoff: Table Setters Who Made A Statement | Part 2

This past weekend featured no shortage of standout performances, but a handful of point guards separated themselves with the way they controlled the game, created for others, and delivered in key moments. Whether it was pushing tempo, making winning reads, or taking over when their teams needed them most, these floor generals made a clear statement and elevated their stock with their play.    Nadia wasted no time making her presence felt on the court. Her aggression defensively was one of the first things that stood out, and she consistently made opposing ball handlers uncomfortable throughout the game. Her hands were quick, she moved her feet well, and she was very difficult to beat off the bounce. Nadia turned multiple defensive plays into steals that led directly to transition layups. Offensively, she used her speed, quickness, and strength to get into tight spaces and create opportunities for both herself and her teammates. She also showed the ability to knock down the three. Don't sleep on Nadia — her game is deserving of much more attention.       This Mother McAuley product is a very fun player to watch. Imala is a true leader on the floor and is not shy about embracing that role. She sets the tone for her team with both her voice and her style of play. Fearless is the word that comes to mind when watching her compete. She can knock down the three, create for others, and defend the ball with real intensity. I watched her handle pressure multiple times against [program_tooltip program_id='1231211' first='Skye' last='Sports Academy'] while helping her team stay organized and get into its sets. On the defensive end, her presence was felt again through her aggression, toughness, and competitiveness, especially in the way she fought to keep the ball in front.     Angelica was another guard this weekend who played with very good pace and rhythm with the ball in her hands. She did an excellent job of changing speeds and levels, which consistently kept defenders off balance and allowed her to get into the paint. Once there, she showed the ability to finish with finesse, absorb contact, and play under control off two feet. She also shoots it well enough from the perimeter to force defenders to close out hard, which only makes her even tougher to guard. I'm a big fan of Angelica's game and look forward to seeing how she continues to develop.     Hamilton did a really strong job of taking care of the basketball and making sure the team she plays on continued to operate smoothly. Watching her was a breath of fresh air in the sense that she fully embraced the role of setting the table, making the right play, and taking her shots when they were there. She didn't force the game and played with a steady, composed approach. Defensively, she also brought good value on the other end, and in transition she was especially effective using her speed to get out in the open floor and finish at the rim.     When I was able to watch Charlee, she was outstanding. She handled the ball very well under pressure and made strong plays for her team against a tough [program_tooltip program_id='1308446' first='Over' last='The Edge'] squad. She was able to get into the paint and finish with touch, particularly with her floater while playing off two feet. She also passed the ball well and consistently made the defense pay for overcommitting. On top of that, she got to the free throw line and knocked down big shots in clutch moments. Her shooting from three stood out as well, as she connected on multiple threes in more than one game over the weekend.

This past weekend featured no shortage of standout performances, but a handful of point guards separated themselves with the way they controlled the game, created for others, and delivered in key moments. Whether it was pushing tempo, making winning reads, or taking over when their teams needed them most, these floor generals made a clear statement and elevated their stock with their play.