518 Superior Showcase: 5 Players Who Stood Out

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend I hit the road once again, this time to Mekeel Christian in Scotia, NY, for the 518 Superior Showcase. The turnout was modest, which made it easier to evaluate every prospect. The group was divided into four teams, with each featuring its share of standouts. Here is my look at five players who I feel stood out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1897965"],"_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":1938241,"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad644461989e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was my second weekend in a row watching Dylan DeChant play, and she just continues to impress. At the 518 Showcase, I loved the way DeChant beat defenders off the dribble and attacked the basket. Her use of head fakes and eye movement to shake off defenders when driving the lane was elite. DeChant went to the basket with authority and wasn't afraid to draw contact. Adding this aspect of her game with her outside shooting ability makes DeChant very difficult to defend. Being only a sophomore, it will be exciting to watch her development over the next three seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1876701"],"_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":1790898,"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad6444619917"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I have watched [player_tooltip player_id='1876701' first='Sophia' last='Ryan'] in action multiple times, between high school, AAU, and showcases, and she always impresses. Ryan plays at a Class D school, but is always looking for opportunities to raise her level of competition and improve her skills. Ryan is an elite ball handler who can get to the basket with ease. She can break down a defense and distribute the ball to open teammates for easy scoring chances. Ryan is a three-level scorer. She can knock down jumpers from beyond the arc, hit midrange shots, or pull up off the dribble in transition. Ryan has solid footwork and is a very good on-the-ball defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1922928"],"_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":1936556,"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad644461996b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1922928' first='Brynn' last='Elfeldt'] was one of the top players at the Empire State Takeover event and continued to shine at the 518 Showcase. Elefeldt is listed as a combo guard, but she is running the point, where she really shines. Elefeldt is extremely skilled at such a young age. She excels with the ball in her hand and plays with a maturity above her grade level. Elfeldt is a crafty ball-handler who knows how to beat defenders and get to the rim. She is lethal with her pull-up jumper from the mid-range, and can step out and knock down threes as well. The upside for Elfeldt is off the charts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1860768"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad64446199b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1860768' first='Zahle' last='Thomas'] is a player I had not seen play before, but she certainly attracted plenty of attention. The college coaches sitting courtside at the 518 Showcase were in awe of how polished Thomas played at a young age. In terms of skills and physicality, Thomas performs above her age and grade level. She is always playing downhill and is fearless when driving into the lane. Thomas can also step out and connect from 3-point range. She is also an effective scorer in transition and a consistent finisher. Defensively, Thomas is very aggressive and physical and rebounds well for her size. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1938191"],"_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":1938245,"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad64446199fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1938191' first='Reese' last='Ahern'] is another in the long line of talented players to develop in the Averill Park program, and as a 2029, she still has room to become even better. Ahern is an elite outside shooter. She hits shots from behind the 3-point arc with deep range. Ahern has a quick release and outstanding mechanics when squaring up. She can put the ball on the floor to navigate around defenders to the basket. Ahern is a very good defender with strong anticipation skills that result in multiple steals when she is on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->