Manual, Roberts Lead 17U Dynasty Region Finals First Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wow, what a championship game. [program_tooltip program_id='715312' first='Houston' last='Lady Nets'] erased a 7 point deficit mid-way through the first half after [program_tooltip program_id='712424' first='Kansas' last='Bluejays'] appeared to be seizing control, went on a 10-0 run driven by 3 straight half-court trap generated live turnovers. The run ended with a exclamation point made three. The Nets kept the Bluejays at knuckles length the majority of the way until a ferocious last minute rally nearly enabled the Bluejays to snatch victory from the grasp of defeat but couldn't quite pull it off. Bluejays post play and depth was dominant throughout while the Lady Nets generally had the edge with guard play, especially defensively. Regardless of the outcome, two members of each team proved they deserved first team all-[program_tooltip program_id='716194' first='[program_tooltip program_id='716194' first='[program_tooltip program_id='714510' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713097' first='[program_tooltip program_id='716194' first='[program_tooltip program_id='714510' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713097' first='Dynasty' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']' last=''] Region Finals honors. Here's a look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":637519,"width":113,"height":113,"sizeSlug":"thumbnail","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/04/Kamyra-Barber.jpg?w=150&amp;h=150&amp;crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-637519" width="113" height="113" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wichita Heights 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='335922' first='KaMyra' last='Barber']. Photo: Prep Girls Hoops.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='335922' first='KaMyra' last='Barber'], 5'9", PG, Wichita Heights (KS), KS Bluejays, 2024 - Beautiful, soft, quick, mid-range jumper off an interior kick-out. When team needs a bucket will get to the line after getting a shot off with defenders all over her. Fast with consistent quickness Barber showed unexpected explosiveness with and without the ball. Strong finisher with height and extension with either hand. Good free throw shooter. Quiet, unassuming personality with mature game IQ. Leads a team, does what needs to be down. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":692046,"width":113,"height":106,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/Jalyiah-Manuel-2025-Wichita-East.jpg?w=452" alt="" class="wp-image-692046" width="113" height="106" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wichita East 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='335962' first='Jalyiah' last='Manuel']. Photo Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='335962' first='Jalyiah' last='Manuel'], 6'2", Wichita East (OK), KS Bluejays, 2024 - Every time I see Manuel play I see growth in the maturity of her game and physical dominance. Manuel, with her front court mate [player_tooltip player_id='398382' first='Heaven' last='Gilbert'], just wore teams out with their strength; quickness; physicality; and game on both ends. She showed strong ability to go end-to-end off the rebound with speed and a willingness to pass up the drive to gather an assist to a open teammate. Manuel has hops and great length to swat and alter shots from opposing bigs. Considering the quality of the other bigs at the event, Manuel earning first team honors speaks to the level she play at in every game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alina Martin</strong>, 5'9", CG, Marcus (TX), [program_tooltip program_id='712950' first='Athletic' last='Elite Basketball'], 2024 - There was a great deal to like about Martin's game. A nice combination of solid height, size, strength and speed Martin is a walking match-up problem of a basketball player. Big difference from an athlete who plays basketball. On numerous takes off transition plays and drives she consistently showed an ability to finish through contact athletically and with extension. Good explosiveness on her first couple steps combines with her quick hands to blow up passing lanes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692431' first='Kyndall' last='Roberts']</strong>, 5'7", PG, Nimitz (TX), [program_tooltip program_id='715312' first='Houston' last='Lady Nets'], 2026 - The Lady Nets' defensive attack got the push needed to consistently have the upper hand all event from defensive guard play. Roberts' lightning fast speed with the ball and quickness of hand speared the Lady Nets' full- and half-court pressure that would generate turnovers in streaks. Laterally quick with great wingspan Roberts also was dangerous off the bounce and a consistent perimeter shooting threat. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Za'Kenya Thompson</strong>, 5'8", CG, Spring (TX), [program_tooltip program_id='715312' first='Houston' last='Lady Nets'], 2024 - Strongly built with a flashy game, Thompson loves the quick whirl dish (often no-look) to get the assist in transition or off a drive. She was an integral part of the team's guard play on both ends of the floor in the Lady Nets' championship queeker win over [program_tooltip program_id='712424' first='Kansas' last='Bluejays']. Defenders must respect her mid-range and perimeter shooting as she will bury the three ball with range and throw hops into her jumper to take advantage of her size and athleticism. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->