2018 State Farm Holiday Classic championship: Ryle vs. Rock Island player evaluations
Rock Island led for the majority of the game but Ryle (KY) came back with the emergence of a rising prospect. The Raiders pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 53-45 win and did it without ESPNW’s 25th-ranked prospect…
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Continue ReadingRock Island led for the majority of the game but Ryle (KY) came back with the emergence of a rising prospect.
The Raiders pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 53-45 win and did it without ESPNW’s 25th-ranked prospect in the 2020 class, Maddie Scherr. She fouled out with 6:17 left in the game and was in foul trouble most of the game.
The Rocks led 33-32 after three quarters but struggled in the final 12:36 minutes, getting outscored 30-17.
Here are how several players fared on the big stage.
RYLE
Brie CrittendonBrie Crittendon (2021, G, 5-foot-9) – 18 points (7-13/0-1/3-3), 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist
Crittendon is the reason Ryle won. All of her 18 points and five of her rebounds came in the second half. She did a great job of running in transition, filling a lane and benefitted by scoring. She got easy looks off of offensive putbacks and moving off the ball. Defensively, she had good lateral quickness and quick hands to net a couple steals. The next step in her game is developing a consistent jump shot.
Lauren Schwartz (2019, G, 5-foot-11) – 15 points (6-14/0-4/3-6), 5 rebounds, 4 assists
The Rice recruit wasn’t efficient as a perimeter shooter but excelled at running in transition and getting to the rim. She freely went coast-to-coast off a defensive rebound. Her court vision and high-IQ was on display with her four assists, setting up her teammates for easy opportunities to score.
Austin Johnson (2022, F, 5-foot-8) – 7 points (1-6/0-0/5-6), 8 rebounds, 2 assists
Johnson filled in admirably for Scherr. She was thrust into action and secured possessions with her rebounding. She gave up several inches but got matched up with South Carolina recruit Brea Beal (2019) and made life difficult for her at times.
Jaiden Douthit (2020, G, 5-foot-6) – 4 points (2-4/0-1/0-0), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
Douthit did a little bit of everything for Ryle, especially in the fourth quarter. She grabbed two defensive rebounds and moved the ball for a pair of assists as part of a 19-point quarter. She was also matched up on Beal at different times during the game.
ROCK ISLAND
Brea BealBrea Beal (2019, G, 6-foot-1) – 19 points (7-21/2-9/3-6), 14 rebounds, 4 blocks
Beal showed why she is ranked 13th by ESPNW in her class. Before trying to will her team back in the fourth quarter, she scored 13 points and was 5-for-13 shooting. She used her size and length to win on the glass and would get out in transition. She also stopped Ryle’s transition game, protecting the paint by blocking shots. She showed her 3-point range in the fourth quarter making two long shots.
Brooklynn Larson (2021, G, 5-foot-8) – 9 points (3-4/3-4/0-0), 1 rebound, 1 assist
Larson’s 3-point shooting was on display throughout the tournament, and again in the championship game. She’s looked young at times offensively with the ball in her hands outside of catch-and-shoot opportunities. She’s athletic enough to be a two-way player. For now, it’s her 3-point shooting that sticks out.
Imari McDuffy (2022, G, 5-foot-5) – 3 points (1-2/0-1/1-2), 3 assists, 2 rebounds
The stat line isn’t impressive but McDuffy could development into a nice point guard. She was strong at moving the ball and directing the offense, allowing Beal to play off the ball. She also crashed the offensive glass for both of her rebounds. She struggled on the defensive end due to her height and size but she should improve as she gets stronger.
Hannah Simmer (2020, F, 5-foot-10) – 3 points (1-7/0-1/1-3), 7 rebounds, 1 steal
Carlee Camlin (2019, F, 5-foot-9) – 6 points (2-4/0-0/2-4), 4 rebounds, 1 steal
The duo provides a nice one-two punch in the frontcourt. Simmer showed no shortage of confidence on the offensive end, she just didn’t get shots to fall. Camlin’s post moves are solid with good footwork, something she has an edge on Simmer. Simmer’s activity on the glass was evident against the athletic Schwartz and Scherr.