PGH IL Top 250: Don’s Best Ball Handlers
The gym was packed last Saturday at the Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 in Aurora, Illinois. Some of the top talent in the state was in attendance. In this article I will highlight the best ball handlers I saw that…
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Continue ReadingThe gym was packed last Saturday at the Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 in Aurora, Illinois. Some of the top talent in the state was in attendance. In this article I will highlight the best ball handlers I saw that day. These girls all have a unique ability to handle the ball in tight spaces and create openings through their ability to control that ball. Sometimes is it was a very simple crossover move, sometimes it was something much more complex, but these players all showed that unique ability to have ” the ball on a string”.
- Cheri Michalek Cheri Michalek 5'4" | CG Bishop Noll Institute | 2022 State IL is a 5’4 2022 guard from Lockport Township. Cheri had a great day that turned the heads of scouts and coaches consistently. She is in complete control of her dribble and is able to explode with the ball when she sees her opening. I was really impressed with her ability to use the high ball screen and read the defense. Cheri made great passes to the post rolling when it was open and took the ball to the hole hard when the drive was open. She is definitely one to watch this year.
- Grace Riley is a 5’6 2021 guard from Belleville East. Grace is a very steady and controlled player. She can score but really excels as a pass first point guard. Her moves are usually not flashy, but still effective. Grace did a great job in sharing the duties of running the point on her team and handling the full court pressure. She always has her head up and the ball in control.
- Lexi Salazar Lexi Salazar 5'7" | SG Plainfield North | 2023 State IL is a 5’6 2023 guard from Montini Catholic. Lexi is a young point guard that is a true floor general. Even at a young age she carries herself as a leader on the floor. Lexi does a good job of using hesitation to change her speed to beat her defender. She was also effective using a good crossover to change directions. Lexi showed that she has the athletic ability to develop into a high level player before she is done.
- Anna Blank Anna Blank 6'0" | CG Olney | 2022 State IL is a 5’11 2022 guard from Richland County. Anna shows great poise on the floor and never appears to be rattled. She handles the ball very well with both hands and is comfortable going both directions. Anna is usually very simple and fundamental in her moves but her burst of speed makes those moves deadly. Anna also has good size and strength that allows her to use her dribble to get anywhere on the court.
- Brynn Tabeling Brynn Tabeling 5'4" | PG Tuscola | 2021 State IL is a 5’4 2021 guard from Tuscola. Brynn was very impressive on Saturday as a lead guard. She has a special ability to handle the ball and make passes. She seemed to see plays happening before anyone else on the floor, including the person she knew was going to be open. She is not the most athletic guard on the floor but because of her handles most girls cannot stay in front of her and keep her out of the lane.
- Caitlin Washington is a 5’5 2024 guard from Gregory Middle School. Caitlin is just an 8th grader and other than her slight build, you might not have known. She can handle the ball very well. I saw her execute a behind the back dribble in very tight quarters that impressed me. She is long and has a explosive first step when she makes a move. The ball is in complete control and she was unaffected by any pressure applied to her. She will be fun to watch grow and expand her game over her career.
- Ashlyn Yow is a 5’6 2022 guard from Wauwatosa East. Ashlyn really impressed me with her use of the hesitation dribble. She was able to freeze her defender with the hesitation and then lower her body and move like she was shot out of a cannon right by them. Ashlyn sees the floor really well and makes great passes to set up her teammates. Most coaches appreciate a point guard that is always steady and in control and Ashlyn was that point guard on Saturday.
There was a very strong group of point guards at the camp but these girls all caught my eye with their ability to handle the ball. With so many young players in this group I am excited to see their growth over the next 2-3 years.