Space-makers and shot-takers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had the pleasure of attending another Prep Girls Hoops showcase this weekend. This time, it was The Expo: Iowa at the [program_tooltip program_id='712595' first='Kingdom' last='Hoops'] facility in Des Moines. Following a solid day of skillwork, P&amp;R breakdown, 3v3 and 5v5 matchups, I tried to find a new theme to analyze and highlight. The first theme that stuck with me was creating space, and the following players stuck out to me while creating space in a number of different ways. Need a clutch step-back? Or maybe an explosive driver off of the catch? You'll find those space-makers here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["923916"],"_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-68e331d139c24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='923916' first='Lizzie' last='Beam'] exploded on to the scene as this weekend's showcase. Her ability to rip and go past defenders while keeping players on her back was really impressive today, and her ability to take up space off the dribble was fun to watch. Shes's a big guard who knows how to attack gaps, kick the ball to open teammates, and create closeout situations. Additionally she's got a solid shot from deep and composure to boot. I'm really looking forward to watching more of Beam this season for Ankeny Centennial.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["591482"],"_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-68e331d139c87"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='591482' first='Destinee' last='Benway'] was a late addition to today's event and boy am I glad she stopped by. Benway was, in my opinion, the best on the floor today at using her pivot / jab to free herself from defenders. She protects the ball well, sets defenders up with superb footwork, and has an explosive first step that led her to countless finishes. She utilized that same skillset while setting her defender up on ball screens, attacking downhill with ease. A positive communicator and straight up bucket-getter in the midrange and from deep — Benway is the real deal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1223807"],"_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-68e331d139ce4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You would never know [player_tooltip player_id='1223807' first='Audrey' last='Danler'] is a middle schooler by the way she carried herself at The Expo. The skilled point guard created space in a number of ways, standing out in particular with her smooth step-back. Danler has a confident stroke and left defenders in the dust a number of times today while draining long shots. Her skill with the ball doesn't stop there, though. Danler excelled at blowing by defenders with at the top of the key off of the catch and also with her convincing hesitation dribble. I'm predicting big things to come from this young gun!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1224381"],"_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-68e331d139d32"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The importance of a solid screen is overlooked a lot in today's game, and [player_tooltip player_id='1224381' first='Elyse' last='Bartels'] reminded everyone of that today. Bartels got better and better as the day went on and impressed me with her ability to create space for her teammates. Her strong screening ability gave defenders fits by nailing the angles her teammates needed to attack downhill. She also flashed a few tough finishes with aggressive rolls to the basket. Bartels is an underclassman with lots of upside — she's coachable and does the dirty work to help her team succeed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["880909"],"_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-68e331d139d7f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='880909' first='Kami' last='Clark'] stood out today by creating space with her length and athleticism. Clark is a big guard who knows how to use her body both at the rim and with a glittering midrange game. I saw Clark finish a number of one-handed reach layups where I thought the defender had good positioning, only for Clark to extend up high for tough lay-ins. She also used her height and pivot on a handful of turnaround jumpers that drew applause from the referees at the event. While you can't teach size, you can teach players how to use it — and Clark sure uses it well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->