Kiara PankinsMARIETTA, Ga., -- With the exhibition games in the books, day two of the PSB Preseason Shootout saw bracket play take off with teams focused on getting to championship games on Sunday. Here are some standouts from the opening of bracket play.
Micah Sheetz (Knoxville,Tenn.), TN Lady Trotters – 2016
A lot of the small things in basketball go unnoticed but this is not the case with Sheetz. The class of 2016 guard has just come off an outstanding high school season as a Miss Tennessee finalist and winning a state title. The PSB Preseason Shootout was yet another opportunity for her to continue to hone her skills against some quality talent at the beginning of the travel season.
Sheetz has a game that is ever evolving. She is in constant motion on both ends of the floor, which is what sets her apart from players at her same position. She shoots the ball well from the perimeter and makes shots at a high percentage rate from beyond the arc. With that being said, Micah is most effective when she uses her body to score around the basket. She was an integral part of the Lady Trotters journey to the championship in the @ChrisHansenPSB bracket.
SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS
DaiShai Almond of the Georgia Ribbon Warriors was impressive this weekend. The 5-foot-9 wing player of the class of 2018 showed a mature game for her age. She is very quick with the ball in her hands and proved that she could create scoring opportunities off the dribble. Almond’s quickness is complemented by her nice jump shot. She is the type of player that must be defended face up. When she is not slashing through defenses, she is playing defense with a voracious tenacity.
Sydney Pearce, also in the class of 2018, showed signs of good things to come. The 6-3 post of the TN Trotters Potts has good footwork in the post. She was an imposing figure around the basket and altered a lot of shots. Pearce is still learning the game and has tremendous upside. Expect good things from her this summer.
AROUND THE RIM
► Carolina All-Stars Bond got a big win in the opening round of the @BrandonClayPSB Bracket on Saturday morning. Guard play was the name of the game for coach Porsche Jones as she got big games from class of 2016 guards Jada Craig of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Madison Ervin of Morganton, N.C. Their ability to handle pressure and give out defensive pressure proved to be a game changer.
► Kentucky Premier 16U got a scare in its first round game versus the Pistols Diamond Elite. However, it would be key plays by class of 2018 Allison Niece of Independence, Ky., that sealed the deal. Her put-back lay-up and two free-throws with under a minute to play secured the win for coach Jarrad Parmley’s team.
► Class of 2017 forward Kiara Pankins of Lexington, Ky., contributes for coach Trent Milby’s team in numerous areas. Her size and energy gives an edge on the glass, but her ball skill and speed allow her to score points in transition.
► Coach Larry Richardson with the Carolina Flames has a budding star in class of 2017 forward Kiara Rochelle of Raleigh, N.C. Standing at 5-11 she has true inside-outside skills. Keep an eye on Anna Stewart of Kennesaw, Ga., for the rest of this year after her showing on Saturday afternoon. The class of 2016 combo guard is strong and quick with the drive while also possessing vision with the pass.
► Class of 2016 Anajae Stephaney of the TN Lady Trotters Kyle has great length at 6-1. She has good footwork around the basket and has the ability to step out and play facing the basket. Stephaney can be a go-to player both inside and out.
► There are many bright spots as we look towards the future of the game. Genesis Bryant of the Georgia Pearls will be one to track as she is still just in middle school. She is a playmaking point guard that shoots the ball well from beyond the arc.
► Erica Hayes-Overton brings aggressiveness to the offensive end of the court. She has a quick first step off the dribble and also has a solid pull-up jumper. She is a catalyst for the Team Brandan Wright’s sophomore team.
Peck is the owner of Dream In Motion Athletics and is a national evaluator for the JumpOffPlus.com National Scouting Report. He also serves as a on-floor skills coach at the Elite Basketball Academy events. He can be reached at StephenPeck@peachstatebasketball.com.
Hemingway is the Assistant Director of Scouting for the JumpOffPlus.com National Scouting Report, is on the Naismith Trophy Board of Selectors and owns CoachHemi.com, the go-to source for coaches for X’s and O’s. He is the floor director of #TeamEBA camps, a site director for #TeamPSB tournaments and can be reached at jonathanhemingway@peachstatebasketball.com.
