Like the aforementioned Wesen, this was a business trip for Mata. The North Tartan product was far from one of the biggest kids in the gym size-wise, but her heart and skill more than made up for what she lacked in size. Mata had defenders on skates possession after possession, whether she was blowing by them to finish at the rim or creating space for her picturesque jump shot. She put pressure on the defense all day long and never seemed to let up. In what we hope becomes a friendly rivalry for years to come, she and Wesen locked horns, and you could tell there was plenty of respect between the two. That didn’t stop either one from trying to send a message about who’s up next. By the end of the day, the Forest Lake phenom had put everyone on notice.

Well known as a high-level defender, Mata (pictured above) showed her offensive prowess at the Meltdown. She showcased dribble-step-back shots in the midrange, high-speed layups, and consistently drew fouls at the rim, earning trips to the free-throw line. The 5’4 guard’s speed in the open court and aggressive drives to the basket put constant pressure on opposing teams, who often struggled to keep up. Mata finished the weekend with a team-high 63 points, averaging 12.6 points per contest. The North Tartan 14U Elite point guard plays with hustle and determination, constantly elevating the energy level for her team and often supplying the spark needed to win. Jasmine’s efforts led the team to a 4-1 record, placing them in 2nd in the 15U Silver division.