PGH Freshman Showcase: Team 5 and 6 guards

Fall basketball is here, and the Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase at Maple Grove Middle School gave the Class of 2030 another opportunity to get on the floor and show where their games are heading. For some, it was a chance to make a name for themselves. For others who have already started building some buzz, it was another opportunity to show their growth and keep pushing their stock in the right direction.   I spent the day covering Teams 5 and 6, and there was plenty of talent between the two groups. The guards caught my attention with their ability to handle the ball, create offense, defend and compete on both ends of the floor. Some came in with names I already knew, while others made sure I knew who they were before the day was over.   Here are the guards from Teams 5 and 6 who stood out.    Wesen was in her bag from the time she walked into the gym until the final horn went off. The [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] guard by way of Albany had the ball on a string and got wherever she wanted, whenever she wanted. She showed great body control around the basket, contorting herself in mid-air and finding ways to finish with either hand. Wesen was just as impressive without the ball, moving well and constantly putting herself in position to make something happen. She was a massive threat from all three levels and played with a confidence that stood out. As she continues to get stronger and build on an already well-developed skill set, this budding star has all the tools to be a problem for years to come.     The future at Forest Lake is looking very bright with the likes of Zarate and [player_tooltip player_id='1345576' first='Jasmine' last='Mata'] in tow. The 5'9 combo guard showed during the Freshman Showcase that she can be whatever her team needs. She started the day making her presence felt on the defensive end, picking up full court and even taking the ball away from some of the better ball handlers in the building before rewarding herself on the other end. Offensively, Zarate was super aggressive attacking the paint, creating easy opportunities for herself and her teammates. She also has a smooth outside shot to complement her ability to get downhill, making her that much tougher to defend. Zarate competes, plays with confidence and isn't afraid of a challenge. At the end of the day, she's a gamer.     Following in the footsteps of a sibling has its pros and cons and comes with its own set of challenges, but Elin is more than holding her own. Another [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] product, the 5'9 guard is multidimensional and gets it done at a high level on both sides of the court. Retzlaff (pictured above) is a knockdown catch-and-shoot threat and a bona fide scorer. On consecutive possessions, she grabbed the rebound, pushed the pace and went coast-to-coast, first finishing with a smooth Euro-step and her left hand, then coming back with a nice scoop layup on the right side. She guards with intensity and seems to genuinely enjoy herself no matter the result. You can bet a little sibling rivalry with [player_tooltip player_id='565313' first='Elsa' last='Retzlaff'] helps drive her, but Elin is talented enough to carve out her own lane in no time.     Like the aforementioned Wesen, this was a business trip for Mata. The [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] product was far from one of the biggest kids in the gym size-wise, but her heart and skill more than made up for what she lacked in size. Mata had defenders on skates possession after possession, whether she was blowing by them to finish at the rim or creating space for her picturesque jump shot. She put pressure on the defense all day long and never seemed to let up. In what we hope becomes a friendly rivalry for years to come, she and Wesen locked horns, and you could tell there was plenty of respect between the two. That didn't stop either one from trying to send a message about who's up next. By the end of the day, the Forest Lake phenom had put everyone on notice.     Rolling in with her signature headband, that wasn't the only thing that stood out about Rosenberg. The [program_tooltip program_id='712362' first='Legacy' last='Hoops'] guard by way of East Ridge did a lot of things well at the Freshman Showcase. She just seemed to always be in the right place at the right time and rarely tried to do too much. She moved the ball well and played within the flow of the offense, but when it was swung her way, she knew exactly what to do with it. Whether it was pulling up from mid-range, attacking the rim or getting downhill and kicking it out to an open teammate, she consistently made the right play. There was nothing forced about her game. She let things come to her, made good decisions and simply found ways to make plays.

Fall basketball is here, and the Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase at Maple Grove Middle School gave the Class of 2030 another opportunity to get on the floor and show where their games are heading. For some, it was a chance to make a name for themselves. For others who have already started building some buzz, it was another opportunity to show their growth and keep pushing their stock in the right direction.