COLUMBUS, OHIO—Average basketball players know their season ends when the final buzzer of that last game goes off. Good basketball players know it’s not really the end but the start of next season instead. Truly Committed and competitive players are the ones who know it’s the start of next season and are already in the gym doing something about it.
Each March Ganon Baker, one of the nation’s elite individual skill coaches, offers up an opportunity in Ohio to get next season off on the right foot and provides a setting for players to refine and take their game to the next level. Last weekend Baker was on the campus of Ohio Dominican for the fifth consecutive year offering up his unique brand of high intensity training. This year the Ohio Girls Skills Select Event brought together athletes from seven states and Canada for two days of March Madness “Baker Style”.
Add Baker’s passion, intensity and attention to detail to players who understand the need for skill training and good things are bound to be on the horizon. With almost 70 percent of the event’s roster sporting graduation dates of 2017 and higher, the future is promising. While Blue Star Media was limited to taking in just the first day’s floor sessions, there were some talented young players on hand that offered up some moments worth taking note of.
Anaya Peoples, a 2019 guard from Danville, Illinois, is someone who’s going to catch you eye whether it be in drills or live action. At her age it’s difficult to tell just how much growth will be added to her current 5-5 stature, but there’s little question about the direction of her game. Active, quick and attacking, she uses sharp ball skills to navigate defensive traffic and create both scoring and passing opportunities. Her own looks are there off penetration but she’s showing some good instincts for reading defenders and delivering the ball as rotations come her way. The form on her perimeter shot is there but the release is somewhat low at this point which may well be the result her youthful, wiry build. Lots of promise.
Katlyn Gilbert’s verbal commitment a year ago is so far off the charts that it’s not remotely worth detailing yet. (Feel free to Google it if you’re so inclined but we’ll pass on publicizing it further) However, the game the 2018 Indiana native brings to the floor is squarely on the mark for her age. She has good size in the 5-9 to 5-10 range with nice length that indicates plenty more is to come. There is a smooth, fluid attack that includes an effective change of speed and change of direction both on the break and in the halfcourt. Making her even more effective is that she was active without the ball both on cuts and keeping her defender occupied on the weak side of the floor. We didn’t see too many looks from the perimeter versus live defense but the foundations of her shot appear to be in place when watching her at the line or shooting during warm up drills.
Yanni Hendley-McCalla lists Riverdale Baptist as her school and the play of this 5-4 Bowie, Maryland resident suggests she could fit right in with the high expectations of the renowned program. Of course, as a 2019 grad, that possible impact is still a few seasons down the line but her name and game are worth keeping in the back of your mind. Lots of speed and quickness are in place both with and without the ball. She pushes it off misses and turnovers but could look to advance it with a more aggressive attack from makes as well. On the catch her acceleration is challenging for defenders and the ability to get to the rim serves her well both in the development of shots and passes. The step back is there but the consistency from deeper on the perimeter is still evolving. Plenty of tools and potential.
Sommer Pitzer is also part of the 2019 class and is already showing some strong individual skills in the backcourt. Calling Columbus, Ohio home, the 5-2 point guard attacks without hesitation and uses those skills to create in transition or off the drive. The crossover is lethal already and has defenders leaning and lunging time and again. As with the above players, her youth lends to a very lean, wiry build at this point but she’s not hesitant to take it into traffic. Shot selection will have to evolve, particularly with her directing the offense. Think very young Bianca Cuevas. Not quite the same thing but definitely in that style. Possibilities are there.
