We Ball in the Fall Week 1: Playmakers Creating for Others

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scoring can grab plenty of attention, but having players who can create opportunities for their teammates can make an offense that much harder to defend. During Week 1 of We Ball in the Fall at Northview High School, I watched several players use their handle, court vision, and ability to attack the defense to open things up for those around them. Whether it was making the right read after getting into the lane, advancing the ball in transition, or staying composed with pressure around them, these five players showed their ability to help create offense for others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["928056"],"_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":1871029,"_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-6ac301c9b6302"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jayla showed a strong feel for the game with the ball in her hands. She displayed great handles and passing ability while consistently playing with good awareness of what was developing around her. One sequence that caught my attention was her use of a retreat dribble in traffic, creating space rather than forcing the action and allowing her to reset and make the next read. Jayla also attacked off the bounce and found teammates on drive-and-kicks. She showed she could create her own offense as well, knocking down a mid-range pull-up, and she stayed involved away from the ball by grabbing an offensive rebound and converting the putback. Her combination of handle, passing, and decision-making showed the high basketball IQ she brings to the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1036780"],"_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-6ac301c9b6398"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">MJ's handle and shiftiness allowed her to create advantages with the ball and open opportunities for her teammates. She did a good job creating for others, using her ability off the dribble to make the defense react before looking for the next pass. That ability to handle comfortably and change direction gave her options when navigating pressure and helped her initiate offense. MJ also contributed on the defensive end, where she showed active hands and came up with a block. Her ability to facilitate while also impacting possessions defensively gave her a well-rounded Week 1 performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1932745"],"_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-6ac301c9b640e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jenna showed she could put pressure on the defense and make the right read once help arrived. She attacked the basket hard throughout the afternoon, repeatedly earning trips to the free-throw line and forcing defenders to react to her drives. She also showed her ability to create for a teammate with a nice drive-and-kick after getting into the defense. Jenna wasn't limited to attacking the basket, as she knocked down a three from the top of the key and gave the defense another scoring threat to account for. She also competed defensively, giving her an impact on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["980268"],"_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-6ac301c9b6480"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jordan used her handle and change of pace to create opportunities off the dribble. She showed a nice ball fake that got her defender in the air before blowing by and getting into the lane, displaying patience before taking advantage of the opening she created. Jordan also showed touch with a floater and made a quality pass in transition, getting her head up and finding a teammate as the floor opened. Her ability to handle the ball, create separation, and recognize opportunities for others gave her several ways to contribute offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["949567"],"_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-6ac301c9b64cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ja'Kiya showed the ability to get downhill and force the defense to react to her penetration. When she was able to turn the corner and get into the lane, she didn't automatically look to force a shot at the rim. She showed good awareness on a drive-and-kick, drawing the defense toward her before getting the ball out to a teammate. That willingness to attack while keeping her eyes open for the next pass is an important part of creating offense for others. Her ability to get paint touches gave the defense another decision to make and helped create opportunities away from the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->