Empire State Takeover Fall Showcase: Who Stood Out? (PM Session)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend, I attended the Empire State Takeover Fall Showcase at Union College in Schenectady, NY. 100 of the best prospects from New York were on hand to display their skills. A few players from Vermont and Pennsylvania also attended. Several of the players who attended are currently in the Prep Girls Hoops rankings, making for an exciting day of hoops. The event was divided into two sessions. One in the morning. One in the afternoon. Here are a few of the players who stood out during the PM Session.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["934564"],"_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":1935563,"_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-6acd37210ee2d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"> Every time I have seen [player_tooltip player_id='934564' first='Elizabeth' last='Kearney'] play, she impresses, and this weekend was no exception. Kearney is a very good outside shooter with perfect form and mechanics. She can connect on shots from behind the arc from every spot on the floor and with deep range. Perhaps the skill that impressed me the most at Empire Takeover was her ability to drive to the basket and score. Kearney was always playing downhill, and if the defense cut her off, she found others for productive shots. She runs the floor well and is a strong finisher in transition. Kearney adds to her team's success with her defense and rebounding ability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1812283"],"_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-6acd37210ee6d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I have seen [player_tooltip player_id='1812283' first='Maddie' last='Chatt'] play a ton between high school and showcases, and she just continues to get better and better. Chatt continues to add new skills to her game. She has moved up from 74th to 41st in our Prep Girls Rankings for 2028 New York Prospects. Chatt is a tremendous pure shooter. She is equally effective splashing 3-pointers from the wing, corner, or top of the key. She has excellent footwork, an extremely quick release, and picture-perfect form. The area of improvement I noticed this weekend was her ability to get downhill and attack the basket. Chatt can also score in the midrange with her smooth touch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1814884"],"_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-6acd37210ee92"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was the first time that I have seen [player_tooltip player_id='1814884' first='Ariana' last='Lampedusa'] play in person, and she was outstanding. Lampedusa came out aggressive in the 3x3 and 5v5 games and grabbed my attention right away. It was difficult to grasp that she is only a freshman. Her skill set is that of a more seasoned player. Lampedusa is elite off the dribble, getting into the paint and scoring easy buckets. She drives aggressively and has the strength to play through contact. Lampedusa can knock down shots from any spot on the floor and has unlimited range. Her shooting fundamentals are superb. She is also a strong defender with very good footwork.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1935540"],"_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":1935555,"_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-6acd37210eebc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1935540' first='Seryn' last='Luria'] is a player who commanded attention the second she hit the court for 3v3 games. Playing against some of the top-ranked players in the state, she did not shy away. Luria was aggressive from the start, driving to the basket to score with authority. Her ball-handling skills are at an elite level, especially at such a young age. Luria is a lethal outside shooter with deep range and a lightning-quick trigger. She is a superb on-the-ball defender who creates mayhem for the opposition. She is strong to the hoop off the bounce with either hand and has a polished Euro Step. Luria's court vision and passing skills are also impressive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1935550"],"_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":1935562,"_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-6acd37210ef0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1935550' first='Harper' last='Egan'] is just a freshman, but she came out and established herself as a factor right away in the 5v5 games at Empire Takeover against some of the best in the state. And why wouldn't she? As an 8th grader, she was a starter and double-digit scorer for state-ranked Maine-Endwell. Egan came right out and nailed a couple of 3-point shots, showing her diversity. At 5'11", Egan is difficult to defend with her wide range of skills. She can drive the lane, post up, and score in transition. She is a strong defender who can guard any position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1935544"],"_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":1935559,"_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-6acd3c91ec81e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With Maureen O'Donnell and [player_tooltip player_id='1935540' first='Seryn' last='Luria'], Tappan Zee fans can expect more exciting basketball for years to come. O'Donnell is a tremendous natural athlete with a solid skill set. O'Donnell has excellent court vision, always looking downcourt to find open opponents ahead of her. She is fearless driving to the basket and isn't impacted by contact. O'Donnell is a very good 3-point shooter with unlimited range. She is a talented defender who creates steals by stepping in front of passes due to her keen anticipation skills. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->