Prep Hoops 10 best: Morton vs. Washington

Morton scored 14 straight points to take control of its 42nd-straight Mid-Illini Conference win. The Potters (21-2, 9-0) earned a 66-41 win over the second-place Washington Panthers (19-5, 6-3). The game was tied at 3 before Morton took advantage of Washington's 2-3 zone, forcing the Panthers to play man-to-man. The Potters, impressively, assisted on 11 of their first 14 baskets and finished 15-for-22 on assist-to-field goal makes. Without further ado, here are the 10 best things Prep Hoops saw. <h2><strong>Game Thread</strong></h2> https://x.com/Sports_Aaron/status/1087878053307580416 <h2><strong>1. MVP</strong></h2> <strong>Lindsey Dullard (Morton 2020, G, 6-foot-1)</strong> - 7 points (1-9/0-3/5-8), 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals The Alabama-Birmingham recruit impacted every area of the game, though her shot wasn't falling. Typically a sharpshooter, it was her passing and defense that were instrumental in her team's success. Early on she carved through the 2-3 zone and found her open shooter, and still showed great court vision when Washington changed to man-to-man. Her length affected every pass and shot Washington had. <h2><strong>2. Play of the game</strong></h2> Sometimes its a simple play that stands out. Washington forward <strong>Sierra Sonnemaker (2019)</strong> picked up her dribble on the right block and 5-6 guard <strong>Kayle Baker (2020)</strong> cut through the middle of the lane to score against Morton's 2-3 zone. Baker's intangibles were displayed throughout the game and this was one example. <h2><strong>3. Best offensive performance</strong></h2> <strong>Maddy Becker (Morton 2020, G, 5-4)</strong> - 11 points (4-6/3-3/0-0) <strong>Courtney Jones (Morton 2020, G, 5-7)</strong> - 11 points (4-6/3-3/0-0) They had the same exact line so Becker and Jones share the honor. Becker's ability to space the floor is a difference maker for Morton. Her 3-point shooting is her specialty but mostly as a catch-and-shoot guard. On one attempt she let a closeout go by, dribbled and re-set herself for an open trey. She also showed versatility in pulling up for a mid-range shot after a closeout. Jones is comfortable handling the ball and driving to finish through contact. She's also a capable 3-point shooter when left open in the corner. She showcased both on Tuesday. <h2><strong>4. Best defensive performance</strong></h2> <strong>Olivia Damery (Washington 2019, G, 5-2)</strong> - 3 steals Damery was the quickest player on the court. She showed great lateral quickness and sprint speed. On a rare occasion she got beat, she quickly made up ground to get back in front of her opponent. She anticipated plays and would get a hand in the passing lane to force several turnovers. <h2><strong>5. Best girl off the bench</strong></h2> <strong>Peyton Dearing (Morton 2020, G, 5-4)</strong> - 10 points (3-4/2-3/2-2) Dearing has struggled with her shooting throughout the season but has never lacked confidence. She was on-the-money on Tuesday with efficient shooting. She's an Illinois State soccer recruit and is a change-of-pace guard that is comfortable with the ball in her hand. <h2><strong>6. Best intangibles</strong></h2> <strong>Lindsey Dullard (Morton 2020, G, 6-1)</strong> It's one thing to be one of the best athletes on the floor, and it's another to not take a play off no matter the score. Dullard'd motor doesn't stop. She's as good at anticipating passes, cutters, missed shots, etc. as I've seen in central Illinois. That's what Morton's program is founded on but Dullard really showcased that ability on Tuesday. <h2><strong>7. Best under-the-radar performance</strong></h2> <strong>Kayle Baker (Washington 2020, G, 5-4)</strong> - 9 points (3-5/2-3/1-2), 2 rebounds, 1 assist Numbers rarely tell the story for losing teams in blowouts. Baker was impressive on both ends of the court. She showed good court vision within the offense and took what was given to her in terms of shooting, leading to an efficient night. Defensively, she moves well off the ball and knows when to help her teammates or get back to her girl in time to impact the play. <h2><strong>8. Best underclassman</strong></h2> <strong>Georgia Duncan (Washington 2022, G, 6-1)</strong> - 4 points (2-8/0-3/0-0), 1 assist Duncan has the makings of a special player. She plays off-the-ball on the perimeter and Prep Hoops' first look at her as a prospect didn't get a good evaluation on her ball-handling ability. However, she cuts hard and moves well off the ball. Duncan showed a good understanding of the offense and was able to get open. She took good shots and has a fluid shooting motion, though her shots didn't fall. Defensively, she showed good agility and speed in sticking with Butler recruit <strong>Tenley Dowell (2019)</strong>, though she scored a game-high 13 points on 5-for-11 shooting. Duncan made life difficult on Dowell and matched her athleticism, forcing Morton to beat them in other ways. <h2><strong>9. Best rebounder</strong></h2> <strong>Tenley Dowell (Morton 2019, G, 6-0)</strong> - 11 rebounds (3 offensive) Dowell is impressive in every facet of her game but, particularly this year, her rebounding has stood out. Her length and athleticism is a huge asset to get in great positions to grab rebounds and then run in transition. Most impressively, her offensive rebounding is a key component to the Potters, which consistently sets her up for second-chance opportunities. <h2><strong>10. Best garbage-time performance</strong></h2> <strong>Allie Scrivner (Washington 2021, G, 5-7)</strong> - 7 points (3-5/1-3/0-1), 1 rebound In roughly three minutes, Scrivner was impressive. She made high-IQ plays and has a quick shot release to get off shots. Scrivner is a quality shortstop in the softball program. She broke her back over the summer and is coming back from that but seems like a capable weapon to come off the bench and earn more minutes. <h2><strong>Lines of the night</strong></h2> <em>Morton</em> <strong>Tenley Dowell (2019, G, 6-0)</strong> - 13 points (5-11/1-5/2-2), 11 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist <strong>Lindsey Dullard (2020, G, 6-1)</strong> - 7 points (1-9/0-3/5-8), 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals <strong>Courtney Jones (2020, G, 5-7)</strong> - 11 points (4-6/3-3/0-0), 1 steal, 1 assist, 1 rebound <em>Washington</em> <strong>Olivia Damery (2019, G, 5-2)</strong> - 8 points (3-6/2-5/0-0), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals <strong>Kayle Baker (2020, G, 5-6) </strong>- 9 points (3-5/2-3/1-2), 2 rebounds, 1 assist <strong>Sierra Sonnemaker (2019, F, 5-10)</strong> - 7 points (3-6/0-0/1-4), 3 rebounds, 2 assists