PGH GLK : 15U Saturday Standouts Playing Up

There were several pools per age group at the PGH Great Lakes Kickoff, and Pool A featured some of the top teams from various clubs competing at the tournament. Here are six prospects who competed up in the 15U division and balled out for their teams on Saturday.    I caught up with Brooklyn after her game and was shocked to learn she is an 8th grader. You don't see that kind of stout strength, mobility, length, coordination, and fundamental development often in middle school. She contributed in every statistical category for [program_tooltip program_id='1307580' first='Indy' last='One'] EYBL 15U at the Great Lakes Kickoff. Brooklyn zoomed up the court in transition, then finished layups without missing a stride. She buried a smooth three-pointer from the slot off the hop and imposed her will in the paint, scoring multiple putbacks off two feet after winning one on battles for the rebound. Brooklyn dove on the floor to cause a jump ball, picked off passes from the help side, and accelerated after swiping the ball away to score a full-court layup with pace. Her rebounding on both ends, defense, and dominance inside were key factors in the win.     Allie competes with a high motor, and her determined downhill drives caught my attention on Saturday at the Great Lakes Kickoff with [program_tooltip program_id='712517' first='Full' last='Package'] 3SSB 15U. She took the ball hard to the rim, scoring a strong and-one layup through contact, then finished the old-fashioned three point play from the charity stripe. Allie set her defender up with a jab step, then made the right read, refusing a ball-screen, then scoring a drive-by bucket off two feet. She finishes with a soft touch off the glass. Allie works to secure rebounds and is an efficient free-throw maker.     Scarlett was impressive for [program_tooltip program_id='1307580' first='Indy' last='One'] EYBL 15U on Saturday at the Great Lakes Kickoff. She caught a pass on the perimeter, used wide lateral dribbles to get by her defender into the second level, then knocked down a smooth jumper in the lane. Scarlett dished out smart lead passes on a rope to teammates and started the transition offense. She boxed out hard to secure weakside rebounds and penetrated with her dribble at will. Scarlett immediately pushed the ball up the court, looking to score after snagging a defensive board, put her defender on her hip, then split two to finish the coast-to-coast drive with a layup. She used a quick rip move to beat her girl downhill, landed with a jump stop, patiently created space with a counter pivot, and stepped through for the finish. Scarlett demonstrated her high IQ, making smart backdoor cuts to score at the rim and changing hands easily to beat pressure. She drained a deep wing three off the catch with balanced feet and created steals on the defensive end.     Charlee was impactful on both ends of the floor for Team Prime Nation 15U EYBL on Saturday at the Great Lakes Kickoff. Her pesky perimeter pressure and dynamic presence on offense helped the team succeed. Charlee took a defensive rebound the distance for a bucket and knocked down free throws confidently at the line. She scored a tough contested layup with her left hand off two feet and buried a smooth three in the slot. Charlee deflected passes, turned ball-handlers with her lateral quickness, and generated steals. She's an effective facilitator, scrappy defender, and multidimensional scorer who attacks off the dribble with determination.     Taylor has length, athleticism, and versatility that grab your attention. She turned in a solid effort for [program_tooltip program_id='834910' first='Example' last='Sports'] UAA 15U at the Great Lakes Kickoff on Saturday. Taylor changed directions with a shifty crossover, split the gap, and scored in traffic with a smooth scoop finish. Her length and quickness laterally turned ball-handlers on the perimeter, while also making her an excellent rim protector. She closed out hard to block a shot on the perimeter and rejected two more shot attempts on drives. Taylor drives downhill with a burst, switches hands comfortably in the lane, and has a smooth outside jumper.     Cavayia quickly caught my attention with [program_tooltip program_id='834910' first='Example' last='Sports'] UAA 15U at the Great Lakes Kickoff on Saturday with her speedy handles, sudden change of direction, court vision, defensive impact, and dynamic skill set. She stepped outside to bury a corner three and jumped into the passing lane for a steal, then showed off her speed in transition, pushing the ball ahead with both hands before dishing out an assist. Cavayia competes hard for rebounding position and isn't afraid to dive for loose balls. She moves well laterally to turn ball-handlers on the perimeter and is a very talented two-way facilitator.

There were several pools per age group at the PGH Great Lakes Kickoff, and Pool A featured some of the top teams from various clubs competing at the tournament. Here are six prospects who competed up in the 15U division and balled out for their teams on Saturday.