PGH Victory Region Finals: 17U Saturday Playmakers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening day of our Victory Region Finals had plenty of playmakers at the guard position. Here were several who stood out during my time watching their games on Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["880235"],"_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":1253181,"_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-683babbe7a119"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gyneen made plays on the defensive end that quickly turned into transition scoring for [program_tooltip program_id='715556' first='Illinois' last='Dream'] 17U. She swiped the ball away with quick hands, then knocked down a mid-range jumper on the other end. Gyneen beat defenders off the dribble with a burst to score contested finishes off one and two feet. She paused with a look at the rim, then split the gap and made a nifty high pick-up ball transfer to put up a floater. Gyneen looked like a guard full of potential on day one of our PGH Victory Region Finals, pouring in 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["509483"],"_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":1253174,"_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-683babbe7a1cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Allie faced a formidable opponent and guided [program_tooltip program_id='713036' first='Wisconsin' last='Academy'] 17U to a near victory, finishing the day 2-1. She had ice in her veins, burying four triples from downtown. I described Allie in my notes as "smart off the ball." She knew where to be and where teammates should be. Allie cut hard back door to cause a foul on the catch, fired passes to open teammates, and was a determined rebounder. She handled the ball confidently under pressure, worked hard on the defensive end, and poured in 15 points for the team. Allie was impressive and one of the best guards in the gym on day one of the Victory Region Finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["964921"],"_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":1253178,"_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-683babbe7a26b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Isabelle is a dynamic guard who can make plays downhill and let it fly from the perimeter. She had a great first day for [program_tooltip program_id='714222' first='BIG3' last=''] 17U at our PGH Victory Region Finals. Isabelle used a quick crossover in the paint blow by her defender, and dropped a tough and-one floater into the bucket--plus the free throw. She finished a hard drive downhill through contact for a layup and buried a straightaway triple with a confident follow-through. She knocked down free throws with balance and looked like a serious shooting threat during the game. Isabelle has a variety of dribble moves in her bag and is a promising prospect who fits right in against the older girls. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["881693"],"_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":1253184,"_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-683babbe7a35b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bianca had an excellent first day with [program_tooltip program_id='715556' first='Illinois' last='Dream'] 17U at our PGH Victory Region Finals, helping the squad to a 2-0 record. She started down the rim on an inbounds pass, freezing the defender, then blew by to force a help-side defender to collapse, and kicked a perfect pass to the perimeter for an assist. Bianca used different crossover moves and hesitation dribbles to create space to drive, pass, and shoot. She swiped the ball away on defense and accelerated towards the basket with a burst for the layup. Bianca cut backdoor to catch an inbounds pass and finished the contested layup off the glass. She poured in 12 points during the game I watched, and is a versatile combo guard prospect to keep on your radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514946"],"_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":1253186,"_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-683babbe7a3f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shania was a playmaker on both ends for [program_tooltip program_id='834910' first='Example' last='Sports'] 2026 Wolfpack, and she knocked down clutch free throws down the stretch of a hard-fought battle to preserve the comeback win. Shania created space from defenders with quick crossover jab dribbles and pushed the tempo after securing defensive rebounds. She worked hard to keep ball-handlers contained with quick lateral steps. Shania used an explosive double-crossover dribble to get the edge and then finished a tough layup through contact. She drained two triples and poured in eight important second-half points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1228414"],"_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":1253172,"_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-683babbe7a489"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sydney was a fearless downhill driver, and she grabbed my attention with [program_tooltip program_id='714222' first='BIG3' last=''] 17U on day one of our PGH Victory Region Finals. She turned the corner, changed directions suddenly with a spin, and finished her drive with a strong and-one layup through contact. Sydney kept attacking gaps and getting to the free-throw line. She had good pivoting footwork and ball-handling ability with both hands. Sydney communicated with teammates on the court and demonstrated a toughness that coaches look for in a prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["624981"],"_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":1253190,"_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-683babbe7a567"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ava is a point guard with lethal 3-point accuracy from the perimeter. She swished a pure corner triple off the catch and dialed up another one in the second half. Ava poured in many free throws from the charity stripe and turned a steal into a quick layup. She has excellent ball-handling control and changes speeds to throw off her defender's balance. Ava made sound decisions and was very effective at kicking the ball out to teammates off drives. She led [program_tooltip program_id='715556' first='Illinois' last='Dream'] 17U with 13 points during the game I watched and helped them to a 2-0 first day at our Victory Region Finals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->