We’ve got a girl you should take a look at
It is a message I receive at least once or twice a week, either by text or Twitter or sometimes by email. It usually starts like this: “We've got a girl you should take a look at.” I can't tell…
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Continue ReadingIt is a message I receive at least once or twice a week, either by text or Twitter or sometimes by email. It usually starts like this: “We've got a girl you should take a look at.” I can't tell you how much I appreciate these messages. Minnesota is a big state with more than 400 girl's high school basketball programs. We try to get to as many places as possible to see as many kids as possible – I've been to Sebeka, Maple River, Hayfield, Howard Lake and Crosby-Ironton over the past few weeks – but the reality is we can't see them all, and we appreciate the tips. Sometimes it pans out, sometimes it doesn't, and sometimes it leaves you saying 'Wow!'
Late last summer I received one of those texts from a coach I know well, someone I trust who seems to have encyclopedic knowledge about kids in the class of 2021, which offers a very, very deep pool of players. “Dude, there is this girl at the Suns workout you have to see,” it read. “I'm planning to be there tomorrow,” I replied. That was it. No description, no info, just a tip that it would be worthwhile to drive 35 or 40 minutes to watch some 8th and 9th graders go through a workout. I had been in the gym about 20 minutes when my friend wandered over to say hello. “That's her, isn't it?” I said, pointing at the long and lanky girl who was killing it in every drill. “It is,” he replied. “What do you think?” My response was quick and to the point: “I think she is going to be a player. Thanks for the tip.”
That girl is Caela Tighe, a 5'11″ freshman wing from Big Lake. If you check out the recently updated class of 2021 rankings, you'll find her at #25. Since that day in August, Caela has risen from the obscurity of a second-tier AAU team to a role on varsity to a varsity starter to this: Tighe is our 2021 dark horse, a little-known player we believe will become one of the very best of this year's freshman class.
Tighe's biggest asset is her versatility
It's difficult to project just what role Tighe will play long-term. What we do know is she is super athletic with nice size and length. The freshman moves the ball with authority, rebounds hard and can get up in the air. I mean, really get up in the air. She is at her best when the game is fast. Big Lake coach Mike Wllman says Tighe's greatest asset is her versatility. “She can go out and hit the three, but she can also jump inside and post up if I need her to. She can guard a two or three or, depending on who we are playing, can also guard a four or five,” he said. “She runs the floor. She plays good defense. She sees the floor very well and understands how and when to make the right decision. She can also grind out a possession if need be.”
In other words, Tighe does it all.
What really stood out to me from the first time I saw her play was Caela's defensive intensity. This girl really likes to get after it. She is quick on the perimeter, has nice lateral movement, and she is a talker. You want a kid with a big motor? Tighe is your girl. I'm not sure if Caela is ever going to be a crazy big scorer – at least not in the Sara Scalia, Sam Haiby, McKenna Hofschild definition of the term – but she is tied for the team lead with Emma Anderson, who has committed to D1 North Dakota. In her last two outings, Tighe had 17 against Rogers and 18 against Buffalo, but her contributions extend way beyond scoring.
“She has a huge role on our team. We are very young, and she has stepped up and has been a role model,” Willman said. “She is always picking up kids who are having a bad game and cheering on her teammates when they do well. I ask a lot of her, be it scoring, rebounding or playing against a 6’2” senior who’s going D1… She’s just a great kid. She’s fun to be around, always smiling, always complementing someone on a great play. I decided not to start her for a few games early in the year because one of our juniors was playing really well. She took it in stride, was positive and kept being a great teammate. For a freshman to have that ability was pretty impressive.”
Tighe is putting in the time to improve her mid-range jumper as well as her three-point shooting. The one area Tighe needs to work on is her physical strength, but we're talking about a 9th grader here so that will come in due course. Big Lake's rebuilding project will be no doubt be centered around Tighe and fellow freshman Mya Huberty, who will both play for Peter Long's 2021 Suns this summer.
I spoke briefly with Caela at the Breakdown Community Clash in St. Michael. Tighe was shy and quiet and seemed a little nervous, not at all like the ferocious competitor I had witnessed on the court for the previous hour and a half. I told her about that Sunday last summer when we first saw her play, and shared our belief that she is going to be one of the very best in her class. She grinned sheepishly and said a polite word of thanks before departing the scene. It won't be the last we see of her.
Keep those texts and messages coming. We know there are more Caela Tighes out there.