Victory Region Kick-Off: 17U First Team All-Tournament
This past weekend was the PGH Victory Region Kick-Off in Romeoville, Illinois, featuring several of the top AAU Programs in the area. Below are the five players named First Team All-Tournament in the 17U Division: 2023 Sophie Swanson Sophie Swanson…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend was the PGH Victory Region Kick-Off in Romeoville, Illinois, featuring several of the top AAU Programs in the area. Below are the five players named First Team All-Tournament in the 17U Division:
2023 Sophie Swanson Sophie Swanson 5'10" | SG Barrington | 2023 State IL , 5’10” Guard, Wolverinas
A top scorer on one of the top teams in the 17U Division, Swanson was on fire from beyond the three-point line throughout the event. She is a high-scoring Combo Guard who plays on and off-ball with her ability to create plays for her teammates and score from the perimeter. Sophie is always a threat to score when the ball is in her hands, and she consistently plays hard on the defensive end to create turnovers and push the ball up the floor in transition.
2024 Brooke Carlson Brooke Carlson 5'8" | PG Batavia | 2024 State IL , 5’8” Guard, Midwest Elite 2023 EYBL
Carlson was phenomenal running the Point this weekend, constantly attacking the lane, and finishing strong through contact. She is an incredibly tough player who doesn’t back down from a physical game and knows when to go to the rim or dish to an open teammate. Brooke was the best on-ball defender I saw all weekend, consistently pressuring opposing ball-handlers and turning steals into easy fastbreak points.
2023 Natasha Barnes Natasha Barnes 5'9" | CG Kenwood | 2023 State IL , 5’9” Guard, Lady Meanstreets
Barnes is a strong and assertive Combo Guard who did a terrific job scoring from the perimeter and taking over ball-handling duties when called upon. She is a lights-out shooter from deep and knows how to create open looks for herself and her teammates off the bounce. Natasha also impacts the game tremendously at the other end of the floor with her physical and relentless defense and eagerness to rebound.
2024 McKenna Johnson McKenna Johnson 5'9" | SG Wilmot | 2024 State WI , 5’9” Guard, Midwest Elite 2023 EYBL
A dynamic Guard who shot the ball with as much confidence as anyone throughout the tournament, Johnson never hesitates to pull the trigger from deep. She is a crafty ball-handler who can put up shots off the dribble or drive past defenders for high percentage looks at the hoop. McKenna is a very intelligent player who takes advantage of a poor close-out with a nifty side-step for an open shot that finds the bottom of the net more often than not.
2023 Rachel Smith Rachel Smith 5'7" | SG Great Crossing | 2023 State KY , 5’7” Guard, Kentucky Ice
Smith is a sharp-shooting Combo Guard who I was not aware of coming into the tournament, but really impressed me with her skill set and shot-making. She is a technically sound athlete who communicates at the defensive end of the floor and understands how to move without the ball to get herself open. Rachel rarely missed a jumper during her final game on Sunday, showcasing her confidence and smooth shooting form from beyond the three-point line.