PGH MI College Tour II Wayne State: 17U Difference Makers

The Prep Girls Hoops Michigan College Tour made its second stop at Wayne State University on Saturday, April 26th. Both fieldhouses on campus were packed with college coaches right from the opening tip, representing several programs across the D2, NAIA, D3, and JUCO levels. I was encouraged by the fact that the prospects had the opportunity to be observed by different levels of college programs and respected scouts, maximizing their potential to be recruited. My coverage focused on teams competing on courts three and four throughout the day. These prospects were top performers and clear difference makers for their teams on Saturday.    Ava was one of the most active and impactful defenders on the court at the PGH MI College Tour. Hustle players who make the right decisions, compete hard, and never quit on a play end up standing out. She chased down a breakaway to deflect the ball out of bounds and hustled back in transition to pick off a pass. Ava made a great read, hitting a roller with an accurate entry pass. She chased down offensive rebounds, picked off a pass, switched hands comfortably in the open court, and finished with a layup. Ava didn't force the issue when it wasn't there and was a steady floor general for [program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite'] 17U.     Brynn was a beast on the glass for [program_tooltip program_id='714458' first='Michigan' last='Cobras'] 17U at the PGH MI College Tour II. Her length, athleticism, muscular strength, and high motor are challenging for forwards to match up against. Brynn swiped the ball away on defense, used effective pivots to force fouls, and knocked down her free throws. She made a smart backdoor cut, caught the entry pass with soft hands, and finished at the rim. Brynn finished well off two feet and made a difference on defense.     Payton looked confident on the court for [program_tooltip program_id='1414318' first='Dream' last='Loudly Basketball EYCL'] 17U at the PGH MI College Tour. She finished layups effectively inside off two feet and was dialed in from beyond the arc, draining threes from the wing and the corner. Her perimeter accuracy, length, physical strength, and ability to score inside with either hand provide versatility to the lineup. Payton moves to open space and puts the ball in the basket.     Kayla had a very solid game for [program_tooltip program_id='714458' first='Michigan' last='Cobras'] 17U at the PGH MI College Tour II. She worked hard inside to corral rebounds on both ends and dribbled the ball comfortably up the floor with her left. Kayla patiently changed speeds, surveyed the scene, and lulled the defense to sleep with her wide dribbles. Once driving lanes opened up, she accelerated towards the basket and caused fouls. Kayla knocked down free throws with confidence and made a nice transfer for a catch and finish in transition. She's an athletic and determined two-way player.     Sophia has been on a tear this spring for [program_tooltip program_id='932068' first='Michigan' last='Prospects'] 17U, and that continued at the PGH MI College Tour II. When I saw the set play developing, I had a feeling the defense was in for trouble. Sophie ran through a double screen on the baseline, caught the pass in the corner, lined up her shot, and buried the open triple. She drilled another no-doubter three from the slot and penetrated gaps with a determination off the dribble to cause fouls. Sophie converted her free throws efficiently, pushed the ball up the court with pace to create fast break points after securing defensive rebounds, and avoided defenders in traffic with her fancy footwork. She helped her squad win the Silver Championship and received All-Tournament First Team recognition.     Grace was an effective facilitator, defender, and all-around difference maker for [program_tooltip program_id='1249476' first='Lakeside' last='Basketball Academy'] 17U at the PGH MI College Tour. She's tough, works hard on defense to guard her yard, and poked the ball away with a quick reach in for a steal. Grace kept her eyes up, saw the floor well, and distributed good passes to teammates. She created space with a shifty inside-out dribble and drove by with a burst for a layup. Grace showed her outside range, draining triples from the slot and the corner. She crashed the glass to score an offensive rebound putback and made a great first impression.     Lakelyn is a very athletic, quick, long, and heady defender who slashes to the rim with a burst and finishes in traffic. She made the right decisions, good reads, and was impactful defensively for [program_tooltip program_id='1414318' first='Dream' last='Loudly Basketball EYCL'] 17U at the PGH MI College Tour. Lakelyn switched hands comfortably in transition, used a quick crossover to get downhill, and finished the layup without missing a step. She intercepted passes and stripped the ball away for multiple steals on the defensive end. Lakelyn's abilities and instincts will translate well to the next level.

The Prep Girls Hoops Michigan College Tour made its second stop at Wayne State University on Saturday, April 26th. Both fieldhouses on campus were packed with college coaches right from the opening tip, representing several programs across the D2, NAIA, D3, and JUCO levels. I was encouraged by the fact that the prospects had the opportunity to be observed by different levels of college programs and respected scouts, maximizing their potential to be recruited. My coverage focused on teams competing on courts three and four throughout the day. These prospects were top performers and clear difference makers for their teams on Saturday.