PGH Southeast Kickoff: 15U First Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 version of the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit commenced in emphatic fashion as three events tipped off this year's Circuit campaign.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of this year's initial events was in New York and another was in Chicago. The other was in western North Carolina. The Southeast Kickoff welcomed teams from not only the host state but also from nearby South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. Facilities at Lenoir-Rhyne University, the Hickory Career and Arts Magnet High School and the Clark Recreation Center were utilized.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the large number of standout performances that there were among 15U teams, it was a bit difficult to narrow a First Team list down to five. Without further ado, here is that First Team list.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1799275"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ca8d0aebb14"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even though the 15U division utilized a showcase format, the final 15U matchup of the weekend featured [program_tooltip program_id='714762' first='Charlotte' last='Dream Elite'] 14U against Fire Ball Basketball Academy 15U in a de facto championship game. Both teams were undefeated going into the contest, but an 18-point performance from Durant helped [program_tooltip program_id='714762' first='Charlotte' last='Dream Elite'] 14U pull away in the second half en route to a 67-40 victory. Standing at 5-foot-9, Durant is a multi-level scorer that was responsible for two of the four 3-pointers [program_tooltip program_id='714762' first='Charlotte' last='Dream Elite'] 14U connected on against Fire Ball Basketball Academy 15U. Twelve of her 18 points occurred in the first half of play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1795890"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1816612,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ca8d0aebc57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In many ways, Warren was the closer on Sunday when [program_tooltip program_id='714762' first='Charlotte' last='Dream Elite'] 14U defeated Fire Ball Basketball Academy 15U to depart from Hickory with an unblemished record. With 17 points, the lone 2031 on the roster turned what was a close contest at the half into a commanding 27-point victory. Out of the 17 points Warren scored, 15 were placed on the scoreboard in the second half. Defensively, if an opposing ball carrier attempts to score on her in the interior, there is a good chance that will become a Warren block. Warren's ball handling and basket-attacking capabilities also make her difficult to contain. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1693508"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1816598,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ca8d0aebcfa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Until Fire Ball Basketball Academy 15U ran into the buzzsaw that is [program_tooltip program_id='714762' first='Charlotte' last='Dream Elite'] 14U, Bridges' team appeared like the toughest in the 15U field to defeat – in large part because of Bridges. Even though her team was on the wrong end of Sunday's final 15U contest, Bridges still paced her team with 22 points. Bridges is a ferocious and fearless rim attacker that knows how find attacking lanes to the rim against virtually any defense. She has no issues drawing contact to get to the free throw line and shots that appear tough end up falling for Bridges. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1809906"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ca8d0aebdba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cash was money all weekend for Fire Ball Basketball Academy 15U. She put together a great freshman season with 4A Nash Central and carried that momentum into this past weekend in Hickory. Cash is another that brings a fearless and tenacious mentality to every game that she plays in. She understands how to use the attention that she gets from defenses to open things up for her teammates to make plays. Cash is also a very effective rebounder, can make things difficult for opposing ball carriers with her defense and plays with the poise of a seasoned veteran. Cash is coming off a 2025-26 season where she averaged 18.2 points, eight assists, 6.3 steals and six rebounds per game with the Bulldogs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1808039"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1816606,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ca8d0aebe5f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Considering the location and the talent, one had to expect a strong showing from [program_tooltip program_id='715813' first='Team' last='Hickory Basketball Club'] 15U. That was the case as Bradley led her team to an impressive 3-1 record during Southeast Kickoff weekend. Bradley is a multi-sport athlete who also excels as a tennis player in addition to basketball. She efficiently plays point guard but also knows how to get herself in position to haul in many rebounds. Bradley understands the art of getting downhill, remaining aggressive with the ball and finding driving lanes to attack. Her freshman season at 4A East Burke saw her average 14.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals per contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->