Western PA Bruins Tipoff- Class of 2022 playmakers
It is one of the top travel tipoff girls basketball events in the country, as the Western PA Bruins Tipoff event was held over the weekend in and around the greater Pittsburgh area. Over 200 teams were involved in all…
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Continue ReadingIt is one of the top travel tipoff girls basketball events in the country, as the Western PA Bruins Tipoff event was held over the weekend in and around the greater Pittsburgh area. Over 200 teams were involved in all age groups, including several in the high school age group.
While I did not get to see everyone play, I did see several of the teams and had a chance to take a look at several of the girls from around the Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.
Over the next few days, I will take a look at some of the top players that I saw. I re-emphasize I did not see everyone, so these are not necessarily the best players in the event, but they are some of the talented ones who caught my attention.
Today a look at the Class of 2022, as I note eight players who shined that I personally saw:
Imarianah Russell, 5-10 All-Ohio EYBL: hard to believe this kid is only a freshman. She had a very solid freshman high school season, and this was the first time I had seen her. She is a very fluid player on both ends of the floor, and is a solid, athletic guard. She can get to the rim against anyone, and finishes well at the rim. She is a physically strong player, and most of the time, plays above her freshman status. While she can score, she also has the ability to find the open player.
KK Bransford, 5-10 Cincinnati Angels: overall the best freshman that I personally saw. Won a state championship as a freshman, and has transcended her game to a such a high level. Good footwork, a natural leader who can score from anywhere. Anticipates on defense and creates havoc with her athleticism and quickness.
Can use either hand and can either get to the rim or use a solid midrange shot. Can take over a game at anytime, and changes the whole landscape when she is on the floor. Well advanced for her age.
Maddie Vajsicky, 5-11 Ohio Future 16U Premier Eifert: was impressed with her early in her first game. A long, lanky hard working guard with good handles, who was able to play some point guard for her team.
She gets to the rim with her quickness and body control, and played under control during the time I saw her. Her frame allowed her to utilize her height to alter shots in the paint. Can rebound well, and outlet on the break.
Mya Petticord, 5-9 Michigan Storm Elite 9th: has all the tools to become one of the best 2022 players in the region. Mya does a good job finding the open player on the break, or in a half-court set, as she can thread the needle and find the player with the best shot. A true point guard who is a quarterback on the floor.
Also can score in transition with great handles. She is a special player who has just scratched the surface of how good she can be. Great on-ball defender.
Alecsis Smith, 6-2 Michigan Storm Elite 9th: impressed with how she can defend any position on the floor. On this day, she stepped out and defended the wing, and is very athletic and moves well. She has good handles for her size, and in the paint, very strong rebounder who used her physical strength to control the paint.
An aggressive player who will drop a midrange shot on offense.
Jenna Van Schaik, 5-7 CHP Thunder: a heady guard who I thought was solid in her transition game, as she is able to push the ball north and south, and was under control most of the game. Had a knack for finding the open player, finding the best scoring option. Aggressive player who can defend and is relentless. Can score from the perimeter, or get to the rim and finish.
Leah Riley, 5-7 CHP Thunder: I thought she worked well with Van Schaik in the backcourt, as she has great anticipation on defense. She will make the big play and turn her defense into a scoring opportunity. Impressive handles and runs the floor well in transition. Not afraid of contact and will finish at the rim.
Lenna Rowland, 5-8, Huntsman Elite Black: good upside for this young player, as she helped her team gain success in this event. Great rebounder, plays very hard and is a great defensive player. She can step out to the midrange and be effective.