DMV Freshman Showcase: Guards Setting the Pace

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The DMV Freshman Showcase brought together talented players from across the region for an opportunity to compete and make an impression before beginning their high school careers. Several guards stood out with their ability to handle the ball, facilitate, push the pace, and help keep their teams get organized. Here are 5 guards who caught my attention with the way they impacted the game from the backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1849594"],"_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-6a944e49043a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">KK showed her ability as a primary ball handler, communicating with her teammates, keeping them organized, and remaining patient with the ball when needed. She was effective in transition, whether pushing the ball herself, running the floor to get ahead of the play, or pulling up for a jumper. Her athleticism also showed on the defensive end and on the glass, where she rebounded and found outlets, as well as using her length to disrupt overhead passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1859667"],"_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-6a944e490441a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Awwad handled the ball confidently and communicated with her teammates to help keep them organized on the floor. She played aggressively on both ends, attacking off the dribble and using active hands defensively to get touches on the ball and create opportunities to push the other way. She also ran the floor well without the ball, getting ahead in transition and putting herself in position to receive a pass and finish at the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1882362"],"_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-6a944e490446b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taya may be smaller, but she showed that she can handle the ball, see the floor, and find open cutters. She pushed the pace off defensive rebounds and delivered some impressive long passes in transition, showing good vision and the ability to advance the ball quickly. She also ran the floor hard herself, finishing a fast-break layup through contact for an and-one and contributing on the glass with back-to-back rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1808608"],"_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-6a944e49044b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scott showed good hands and was ready to turn defensive opportunities into offense by securing the ball and pushing up the floor. She facilitated and got the ball where it needed to go rather than forcing the action herself. Her ability to make plays with the ball in her hands gave her team another option for initiating offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311558"],"_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-6a944e4904505"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McDowell stood out with her passing game, particularly when the floor opened up in transition. She delivered long passes up the floor and well-placed entry passes in the half court, looking to put teammates in advantageous positions. There was a calmness to the way she played, as she allowed her exceptional vision and decision-making to speak for themselves </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->