Champions Challenge: The 16U Prospects That Set The Tone On Day 1

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Day 1 of our Marquee Event in Wisconsin was nothing short of competitive, and the 16U division set the tone early. Outside of the Illinois teams in the building, I got to watch some out of state programs and players who brought real talent to the floor. Below are a couple of my top standouts from today's matchups.</h3>    From the moment the ball tipped off to the end of the time clock, Bryant was clearly one of the top prospects, no matter what court she was on. The defensive side of her game is still growing, but she's no easy player to score on. Her length, agility, and athleticism play a huge part in her ability to deal with both perimeter players and players in the paint. On the other end of the floor is where she immediately separates herself. She can be your point forward or your top scoring option, and the moves are simple, but they cover a lot of ground. Her confidence is high, and she doesn't seem to get thrown off focus easily. A player to keep an eye on as she gets older.     The talent is there, and the potential can't be overlooked either. O'Neal has all the intangibles to be a standout wing/guard, and although she's still in the process of sharpening her ball handling and rim attacks, the confidence is there. She doesn't shy away from finding angles, getting downhill, or finishing through contact. In the two games I watched of her today, the biggest thing that stood out was her IQ. She is a smart player who can see things unfold before they actually do, and that type of feel is hard to teach. As her overall skill set continues to evolve, she will definitely turn more heads.     You have to love a kid who plays hard on both ends of the floor, but the players who shine on the defensive end are usually the ones who can really change the outlook of a game. Kayla does just that. She is not afraid of any guard who wants to dribble their way to a bucket. She moves well laterally, shows a good understanding of when to be physical and when to be patient and poke at the ball. The defense is clean and sharp, and she rarely gets into foul trouble. The offense is there, and she's not afraid to take the midrange or step out beyond the arc, but her ability to sit, contain, and force turnovers is what stood out the most.     Madeline is TOUGH. The handle is the main thing that sets her apart from some of the other guards I watched today, and it's not because it's flashy. It's the fact that her moves cover ground, and she uses them to get downhill, not just to move laterally. She has no issue repositioning herself to be a playmaking guard, either. She knows when to attack, when to kick, and the IQ and discipline to be a smart, risky passer are there as well. As she leans more into her ability to score from the midrange and three, I believe her game will open up a lot more over time.     It's easy to see why Peyton is touted as a top 10 prospect in her home state, and her length isn't even the top needle mover. She is a true 6 footer, and although most matchups will have her in the low post area, this kid has the ability to be a real 3/4 at the next level. The ball handling is solid, and the playmaking is there. She's mobile, athletic, and can cover ground on her drives in just a few steps and dribbles. With all of that, she can be utilized as a floor spacer on the offensive end, and as a paint blanket on the defensive end. High upside..