Run 4 Roses Classic: Glowing Performances from Day 1

Reporting live and in-person from Louisville, I had a front row seat to some incredible basketball today! The largest basketball tournament in the world kicked off with a bang and the Tri-State showed out in full force!   [player_tooltip player_id='525475' first='Kimi' last='Sayson'] | [program_tooltip program_id='714654' first='NJ' last='Shoreshots']   Kimi gave K-Low Elite all they could handle early this afternoon, putting on a clinic from the point. "Speedy Sayson" thrived in the run & gun and was a bullet in transition! She manufactured at a high level and got the ball to her teammates with precision. Some of her passes were delivered through the smallest of gaps in traffic. And don't let her size fool you into thinking she can't rebound the ball! She did a fantastic job grabbing boards and igniting the offense in blitzing fashion.   [player_tooltip player_id='601520' first='Allison' last='Snyder'] | [program_tooltip program_id='774068' first='NJ' last='Panthers']   She played with so much poise and grit against OPS Ankenbruck! The way she played in the paint immediately caught my attention, both on offense and defense. When catching the ball in the low & mid posts, her vision was on full display as she kicked out to the perimeter when the defense collapsed on her; smart and efficient playmaker! Her interior defense was problematic and with all of her 5'11" size and length, she swatted away shots and made sure nothing came easy for OPS.   [player_tooltip player_id='871281' first='Catie' last='Klemm'] | [program_tooltip program_id='774068' first='NJ' last='Panthers']   WIth a raw skill-set and a ton of untapped potential, Catie is one who really stood out to me this afternoon. A long guard with solid handles, she brought the ball up the floor with confidence and swagger. She controlled the tempo wonderfully and made sure everyone got involved in the action. Without the rock in her hands, her movement was fluid and she made herself available around the perimeter to catch and shoot. Her size at 5'10" gives her an advantage when rebounding from the guard spot because she can really get in there and snatch down some boards! Very high ceiling on this one!   [player_tooltip player_id='559043' first='Katie' last='Liggio'] | [program_tooltip program_id='714654' first='NJ' last='Shoreshots']   Even though it's expected at this point, Katie's tenacious two-way game never ceases to amaze me! She was clicking on all cylinders vs Phee Elite and gave all the college coaches in attendance a lot to take notes on! The 3-point bomb was dropping, this time with a release that looked even quicker than the last time I watched her play in mid-June! Dynamic layup package, including a crafty reverse put-back that left me speechless, mouth agape! She swiped steals and forced turnovers, showing off her five finger pick-pocket defense. She came out of the gates swinging and the intensity never once wavered.   Anna Chimento | United NJ   Big, strong and imposing! She commanded the paint today against Houston United with her assertiveness and tenacity. Her presence inside was enough to discourage opponents from driving in. More than a few times I saw opposing players begin to penetrate but then have a change of mind and dribble back out. She was menacing on the glass and used her strength and sturdy base to box out and pull down rebounds with authority. I love the way she mixed it up and stretched out to the perimeter to catch the ball and facilitate from out there, sort of like an inside-out play to draw the interior defender out and open up the lanes. Her stock is rising nicely!   Johanna Mills | 717 Hoop Dreams   One of the best Forwards I got eyes on today, Johanna was an absolute PROBLEM for Exodus Europe! She established position in the post and got touches all game long which she converted to quick buckets. Her footwork was on point and she was extremely patient, ducking her way to the rim through traffic. A few power dribbles off the catch down low and BOOM, easy breezy points! She was a force on the glass, both o-boards and defensive boards, and was impressive getting the put-back to drop off her own miss! She floated up and down the court effortlessly and made life miserable for the international squad.   [player_tooltip player_id='457593' first='Praise' last='Matthews'] | 717 Hoop Dreams   Great size, mobility and versatility. This 6'2" hooper came to play today! With the quickness and smooth mobility of a guard and the interior game of a big, she posted a matchup nightmare for the defense who couldn't quite figure her out. She set up shop in the low-mid post for points around the rim but also stretched out and was confident popping from 15-18 feet. A shot-blocking force, she protected the rim with her life! Battle-tested and tough!   [player_tooltip player_id='414431' first='Kyley' last='Gary-Grayson'] | Team Lightning Melious   She was absolutely fearless tonight against a very good Kentucky Premier squad! Intense dribble penetration that earned her multiple trips to the charity stripe. A total speed demon in transition, she blitzed from one end of the court to the other and converted layups for points. If you blinked, you missed her! Smooth floater in the lane was used effectively to avoid lurking bigs underneath the rim. She did a great job rebounding from the guard spot and showing taller and bigger players that she can hang with them. Don't underestimate Kyley!

Reporting live and in-person from Louisville, I had a front row seat to some incredible basketball today! The largest basketball tournament in the world kicked off with a bang and the Tri-State showed out in full force!