Saturday Playmakers – The Smoke – Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Smoke, a high-level basketball tournament held this past weekend at Grand Valley, showcased top-tier talent from across the region. Saturday was especially notable for the impact made by the playmakers—athletes who consistently created opportunities and made things happen on both ends of the floor. Whether it was slicing through defenses, delivering precision passes, crashing the boards, or coming up with key steals and blocks, these versatile players were difference-makers. Their energy, creativity, and feel for the game set the tone throughout the day, proving that The Smoke is a proving ground for some of the most dynamic and game-changing talent around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1158082"],"_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":1249021,"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682df43d461f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Megan was a force for Always 100 MI Anarchy on Saturday at The Smoke, standing out as a complete playmaker and high-effort competitor. She attacked the lane with determination, finishing through contact multiple times and spending much of the game at the free throw line. With strong ball-handling skills, she kept the defense off balance and created consistent opportunities for her team. Megan also put in the dirty work—fighting for position on the boards, executing solid box-outs, and making winning plays from start to finish. Her hustle and all-around impact were a major part of her team's performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1246061"],"_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":1249024,"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682df43d46258"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Emma had a fantastic showing on Saturday at The Smoke, serving as the ultimate playmaker for Lakeside Basketball Academy. She was a defensive standout, reading the floor well and jumping into passing lanes to grab multiple steals, along with a huge perimeter block where she used her length to shut down a shot. Offensively, Emma was just as impressive—knocking down several threes, hitting a smooth floater, and crashing the glass for offensive rebounds and putbacks. Her all-around performance was a major spark for her team throughout the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Alexis Baker","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Spring Lake","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='952340' first='The' last='House']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682df43d462f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lexi had an impressive outing on Saturday at The Smoke, making big plays for [program_tooltip program_id='952340' first='The' last='House'] on both ends of the floor. While applying pressure, she swiped a clean steal and immediately delivered a pinpoint assist. Lexi showed her ability to create for others, consistently drawing defenders and dishing it off to open teammates. She attacked the rim with strength and control, and added a soft touch with a smooth floater in the lane.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["962124"],"_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":1249032,"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682df43d4634c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aryana had a standout day at The Smoke, bringing energy and toughness to the court for [program_tooltip program_id='962114' first='Lady' last='FVV']. A fierce competitor, she made an impact all over the floor—finishing with power at the rim and flashing her skill with a smooth step-back three. Her strength and athleticism stood out, and defensively, she was active with quick hands, forcing turnovers and disrupting plays. Aryana's presence was felt from start to finish as she consistently made things happen for her team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1249040,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1249464' first='Claire' last='Judit']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Williamston","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='714446' first='Capitol' last='City Express']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682df43d463dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Claire had a strong showing at The Smoke, serving as the driving force for [program_tooltip program_id='714446' first='Capitol' last='City Express'] with her smart and steady play. She stayed poised under pressure, consistently making the right decisions and keeping her team organized. Claire made impact plays with her effort—attacking the basket with control, battling for rebounds from the guard spot, and bringing nonstop hustle 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":["924018"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682df43d46424"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Emersyn had an outstanding performance on Saturday at The Smoke, making her presence felt for the [program_tooltip program_id='714458' first='Michigan' last='Cobras']. She was constantly in motion, finding gaps in the defense with smart off-ball movement and attacking the lane with determination. Emersyn drew plenty of contact and earned frequent trips to the free throw line. She crashed the offensive glass with intensity, giving her team extra possessions, and also showed her range by knocking down shots from beyond the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->