PGH Roll Tide Rumble: 17U Backcourt Beasts from Day One

April 10-12 is an active one for the 2026 version of the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit as a total of seven events took place from various states across the country.    One of those states was Alabama as this year's Roll Tide Rumble took place in Guntersville in the state's northeast. Guntersville's girls basketball team recently claimed the 2025-26 5A state championship following a victory over Moody.    Along with Guntersville HS, the Guntersville Recreation Center and Supreme Courts also played host to games throughout the weekend. We at Prep Girls Hoops were on hand for the weekend's festivities. After putting a spotlight on forwards and centers from the 17U ranks, we shift our focus to standout veteran guards from the day's play.     There is no quit in Colquitt. The 2027 standout for 5A Newnan is fresh off a 2025-26 campaign where she helped the Cougars to a 20-10 record. Colquitt played in 26 games this past season. Her veteran instincts were on display via her ability to draw contact and find her way to the free throw line. A midrange jump shot is also part of her overall offensive repertoire. Colquitt displays her fearlessness with her willingness to go directly at defenders when she has the ball in her hands. Her high basketball IQ compliments her skilled game and opposing teams have to game plan for when she has the ball behind the 3-point line.      [program_tooltip program_id='1803035' first='Britt' last='Basketball Academy'] 17U's weekend in Guntersville got started on the right pair of sneakers thanks to its 5A Newnan connection. Georgia helped her Georgia-based travel team to an early morning victory over Alabama-based TAC Elite 17U. George understands how to handle the ball with either hand and will utilize her veteran instincts to find an attacking lane to the rim even if there seemingly may not be one. Connecting on floaters and making tough shots are elements to her offensive repertoire. George played in 29 of the Cougars' 30 games this past season and averaged 10.1 points, five rebounds, 4.9 assists and 3.8 steals.      Early can make plays early in a contest, in the heart of a matchup or at the conclusion of a get-together. One has to watch out for the senior standout from nearby 6A Lee because of her ability to connect from long range. A midrange jumper is also an element to Early's overall offensive repertoire. Early also does plenty of the little things that can help get a team in the win column such as hustle for loose balls. Not only can Early operate in a team's offense as a scorer, she can also do so as a ball distributor. She can also get creative at times with her strong finishes to the rim.      A notable name for 7A James Clemens, one can see why TAC Elite 17U was a tough out for much of Saturday's play in Guntersville. The term “floor general” certainly applies to Younanian as she combines skill with leadership qualities. As a two guard, one can expect efficiency from long range and Younanian delivers plenty of it. The ability to handle the ball and prevent turnovers is another noteworthy element to her game. Younanian also understands that playing as a guard means the ability to distribute and put her teammates in position to make plays. Younanian has also tried her hand at soccer throughout her athletic career.      As the morning transitioned to afternoon in Guntersville, Alabama Roadrunners Premier 17U Silver evened its Saturday record to 1-1 following a 46-38 victory over TAC Elite 17U. Russell contributed to that winning effort with seven points – including five in the first half of that contest. Many shot attempts that likely are misses with other players become points scored for Russell. Defensively, she will play effectively on the perimeter and understands when the right scenarios are to score and when to pass. A 3-point shot is also part of Russell's offensive repertoire and does not shy away from contact that can place her at the free throw line. Russell stands at 5-foot-7.      Between Russell and Bradley, the Warriors of 7A Thompson are well-represented on this season's Alabama Roadrunners Premier 17U Silver roster. Bradley was a key catalyst in earning her team its first win of the weekend when it prevailed in a close 46-38 contest against TAC Elite 17U. Bradley tallied seven points in her team's victory – four of which occurred in the second half of play. Bradley stands at 5-foot-7 and is one opposing teams have to look out for when she has the ball in her hands within or behind the 3-point line. She contributed to what was a balanced scoring effort against TAC Elite 17U.      Shepherd is coming off a season with 7A Bob Jones that saw the Patriots finish with a stellar record of 26-7. She would play in 21 of those 33 games this past season for Bob Jones. She also helped Alabama Roadrunners Premier 17U Silver earn its first win – the 46-38 decision over TAC Elite 17U. Shepherd can throw defenders off balance with her ability to handle the ball with her left hand and often sets up shop offensively on the perimeter, effectively playing the two guard role. One can place Shepherd in a team's lineup either at the two or at the point. The ability to lead on court and play perimeter defense are two other strong points to Shepherd's game.      Alabama Generals 17U's game plan against Bars Elite 17U included an aggressive Ricks and it was too much for its in-state foes to handle. Ricks is an all-around playmaker but she also understands when the correct times are to make plays and when the correct occasions are to put her teammates in similar spots. Ricks first played at the varsity level when she was in middle school and is coming off one of the signature freshman seasons for anyone across the talent-rich state that is Alabama. The Falcons of 7A Florence are well-represented on this year's Alabama Generals 17U roster as she is one of three from Florence on the team.      Hawkins is another of the notable names for Alabama Generals 17U that is playing up in class. She recently finished her freshman season and was part of an offensive onslaught that overwhelmed Bars Elite 17U. Hawkins' playmaking capabilities are complimented by her length and that wingspan can prove useful when looking to block shots as a defender. At 5-foot-9, she fuses together the skills of a guard with the height of a three or a four. Hawkins played the 2025-26 season as one of three freshmen for 7A Florence. She displayed on Saturday exactly why she earned time at the varsity level as an eighth grader.      Cunningham was another who earned varsity minutes as an eighth grader. She would then follow it up with a freshman season at 3A Colbert County where she averaged 14.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.8 steals per contest. One art of the game where Cunningham especially thrives in is the transition game as she understands the art of being on the receiving end of fastbreak layups. Cunningham can also be effective as a midrange jump shooter and can also convert on high-percentage shots in the more conventional halfcourt offense. She is one of two representing the Indians on this year's Alabama Generals 17U team.      To say that BARS Elite 17U had a rough go of things against Alabama Generals 17U would be a bit of an understatement. Glanton proved to be a bright spot for her team in its first contest of the weekend. She is a skilled scorer but approaches the game with an unselfish mentality of wanting to put her teammates in the right spots to make the right plays. That playmaking ability combined with her tenacity and fearlessness with attract a great deal of attention from many a defense. Glanton is also unafraid of contact that can place her at the free throw line.      Telke is an international prospect from Germany who has brought her many talents stateside. White Tigers Elite 17U played the first of three Saturday contests that afternoon and earned a 66-35 victory over [program_tooltip program_id='713704' first='Alabama' last='Elite'] 17U. Telke is highly effective from long range and can also make things happen with her transition plays. Defensively, one can notice Telke consistently keeping her hands outstretched and she is more than willing to change her defensive assignments on the fly. The talented junior brings a fearless attitude to every game she plays – which includes her ability to deliver strong finishes at the cup.      Backcourt play was a major factor in White Tigers Elite 17U's victory over [program_tooltip program_id='713704' first='Alabama' last='Elite'] 17U. Acuña's superb play ensured her Florida-based assembling would begin this year's Roll Tide Rumble in the win column. She is a skilled attacker of the rim and a number of those occasions where she does go directly to the basket occur in the transition game. One can automatically think of the phrase “floor general” when watching Acuña operate on the court. Acuña maintains a high degree of activity even when the ball is not in her hands and she takes advantage of the attention she gets from defenses to find her open teammates.      Hovis can still be proud of the performance she put together for her [program_tooltip program_id='713704' first='Alabama' last='Elite'] 17U team even if it did occur in a losing team effort against a tough White Tigers Elite 17U team out of Florida. Along with her efficiency from 3-point range, she also has no problems drawing contact to give her team opportunities at the free throw line. Hovis can handle the ball with either her right or her left hand and she will put herself in position to corral rebounds. East Limestone of the 5A classification is well-represented on [program_tooltip program_id='713704' first='Alabama' last='Elite'] 17U – Hovis is one of three from the school on the club team.      At one point in her athletic career, basketball was not the lone sport that received a sizable portion of Robeson's attention. As recently as her ninth grade year, she was also a volleyball player. She was announced recently as having joined Alabama Roadrunners Premier 17U Gold which plays mostly on the Adidas circuit. As a combo guard, she blends together the skills of both point and two guards. The standout junior was part of a 7A Albertville team that concluded its 2025-26 season with a mark of 28-5 along with finishing as runners-up in the northeast region. Robeson's play also helped Albertville conclude its regular season with an unblemished home record.     Lowery is another who seamlessly blends together the attributes of both a point and shooting guard. In her team's Saturday afternoon matchup with Alabama Roadrunners Premier 17U Gold, she was more effective at the point and that helped YAG Ballers 17U earn a competitive 50-43 victory over its host state adversary. She understands that attacking the rim will translate to plenty of opportunities where she will give her team chances at the free throw line. The solid defense she plays will also leave many opposing ball carriers prone to turning the ball over giving her team additional offensive opportunities.      The basketball Wisdom of Kent contributed mightily to a strong finish on Saturday for [program_tooltip program_id='713624' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713452' first='FBC' last='']' last='Dynasty Elite'] 17U. Following an earlier loss to Premier Girls Basketball 17U, Kent helped get her team in the win column with a 38-31 overtime victory over [program_tooltip program_id='1808695' first='THB' last='United'] 17U. An opposing team has to game plan for if Kent has the ball from either the midrange or the long range. Kent understands that having stellar handles with either her right or her left hand will go a long way in preserving offensive possessions for her team. Kent was part of a 4A Dalton Catamounts team that finished with a record of 26-4.      Given [program_tooltip program_id='1808695' first='THB' last='United'] 17U concluded its Saturday in Guntersville by dropping all three of its games, Weaver and the rest of the team would probably rather forget that day. Weaver can still be proud that she put forth a winning performance against [program_tooltip program_id='713624' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713452' first='FBC' last='']' last='Dynasty Elite'] 17U. Her team connected on three 3-pointers in Saturday's contest – two of which departed from her hands. Weaver also showcased how tough she is by absorbing contact and getting to the free throw line. As a ball handler and rim attacker, Weaver can corral the leather with either her right or left hand and her shiftiness can throw defenders for a loop.      One of the more impressive team performances of the day was put together by Alabama Roadrunners Premier 17U Gold as it earned an emphatic victory over E.S.T. Lady Shiners 17U. Vaughn greatly helped in that offensive output with a nine-point effort. Seven of those nine points were placed on the scoreboard in the first half of play. While Vaughn may have only converted on two of her attempts from the field, she displayed her willingness to draw contact and find her way to the free throw line – an attribute many a coach looks for in evaluating potential college prospects. Vaughn is one of the notable names for 4A Fultondale.     Dominant performances such as that of Alabama Roadrunners Premier 17U Gold against E.S.T. Lady Shiners 17U typically feature a number of primetime performers. With nine points – including seven in the first half – Bunkley ensured her team would be in the win column in commanding fashion. Bunkley understands how to make plays in the transition game and the 3-point shot is also part of her overall skillset. Defensively, she is a consistent threat to collect steals and create additional offensive possessions for her team. Versatility is another strong element to Bunkley's game. She played in 18 games this past season for 6A Hueytown while averaging 6.1 points, five rebounds and 1.9 steals per contest.      E.S.T. Lady Shiners 17U has plenty of representation from 5A Sylacauga as Patterson is one of three Aggies to wear the club team's uniform. She stands at 5-foot-4 per her team's roster. As one of the five 2027s for E.S.T. Lady Shiners 17U, one can look at Patterson as one of the team's on-court leaders. Between her ability to make plays in transition, finish strong at the rim and display speed and quickness when attacking the basket, Patterson displays she can lead by example as well. Having a high basketball IQ is an important attribute that a floor general such as Patterson must have – and it is something she does have.      Representing 2A Miller Grove, Dozier proved to be a bright spot for a [program_tooltip program_id='1808833' first='Truth' last='Athletic Club'] 17U team that had a rough day at the Guntersville office. Dozier understands how to turn defense into offense and much of that offense occurs by fearlessly attacking the rim and finishing strong at the cup. Tough shots that would be misses for many will often become two points courtesy of Dozier. She followed up a freshman season where she played 12 games by competing in 20 contests for the Wolverines this past season. Dozier is the lone representative from Miller Grove on this year's [program_tooltip program_id='1808833' first='Truth' last='Athletic Club'] 17U assembling.

April 10-12 is an active one for the 2026 version of the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit as a total of seven events took place from various states across the country.