PGH 2K23: Point Guards Who Controlled Pace (15U)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A point guard is responsible for so many things happening on the floor at one time for their perspective team. One of their most important responsibilities being the controlling of tempo or pace throughout an entire contest. Below are five point guards who controlled tempo and pace at an elite rate this weekend for their teams. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='728006' first='Ayumi' last='Ishikawa'] - 2027 - [program_tooltip program_id='714218' first='Lincoln' last='Basketball Elite'] 2026 - IL</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ishakawa is a smooth and capable operator with the ball in her hands. She controls pace to a T and is very good coming down the floor in transition. In every chance that she got this weekend Ishakawa displayed a superior "feel" for the game of basketball, compared to most she was on the court with. Which speaks volumes to her game being a 2027 player, starting on a 2026 team. The future is really bright for Ishakawa. She is going to be one of the shiftier players throughout the state of Illinois this upcoming high school season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Anna Picarella - 2026 - Mavericks Basketball Center 2026 - MO</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anna Picarella didn't do anything this weekend that was too shocking but she did display that she understands how to run the point position and how to control the speed of the action on the floor. Picarella did a great job of coming to the ball, whenever her team needed her the most, making the correct choice with the rock in her possession. She showed a fundamental and consist dribble with both hands, with the ability to take her opponent all the way to the hoop for a score, or an assist if the defense over-helps. Definitely one of the better overall guards there this weekend at the 15U level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Aubrey Birmingham - 2026 - [program_tooltip program_id='715556' first='Illinois' last='Dream'] 2026 - IL</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Birmingham is another one of those fast point guards who doesn't do anything to flashy against their opponents but would rather beat them by keeping it simple and efficient. On an [program_tooltip program_id='715556' first='Illinois' last='Dream'] team that has some standout guards other than herself, Birmingham is the best ball handler and facilitator coming down the floor for this group. She does great getting to her spots, where she knows it will open up the floor for her teammates for an easy look. She may not be the tallest but she makes up for it with her high motor and maximum effort on each and every play. I would even venture to say that Birmingham had one of the best overall handles this weekend as a player at PGH 2K23, something she should be very proud of. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='744493' first='Erynn' last='Felton'] - 2026- My Sisters Keeper 2026 - LA</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='744493' first='Erynn' last='Felton'] was one of the fastest point guards that I saw compete this weekend, throughout all age levels. While being one of the fastest, she was also one of the most in-control guards I saw as well. In the contests that I had the privilege of watching Felton was a fire starter for her team. She was cutting back door, opening up the floor with her lightning speed down the court, and finding holes in the defense on every possession. Not to mention, that she possesses college level speed down the floor on fast break opportunities. With this team being from Louisiana I'm not sure when I will see them compete again but if Felton keeps working on her craft, she is going to be a problem out there for her opponents moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Riley Hill - 2026 - Chapman Bball South 2026 Antholine - WI</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riley Hill may not be the player that everyone talks about all the time, on whatever team she is playing for but she is what I would consider her teams "anchor". A player that has the ball in her hands with the game on the line when they are up, who is ready to knock down free throws or let her team know what the best situation is for them as a whole. To ice the game on a few different occasions this weekend Hill had the ball in her hands. She went to the line, knocked down some free throws and her team closed out some games because of it. When we bring up point guards this weekend, who could also be categorized as "floor generals" for their perspective teams, Hill is in that conversation in my book. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->