Sterling Invitational Tournament: Post Prospects

Here's a look at notable post players I saw during the first round of the 6th Annual sterling Invitational Tournament.  As with my previous review of point guards in the tournament the intention is not to rank but to analyze. I only considered players who primarily played post positions. [caption id="attachment_24752" align="alignleft" width="300"] Jordyn Beard gets another of her five blocked shots[/caption] <strong>Jordyn Beard</strong>, 2021, 5'11", Hugoton Beard already is one of the most promising center prospects in the state, let alone the Sophomore class. She broke the school record in December for most rebounds in a game with 21 and routinely averages double doubles in points and rebounds. Blessed with a strong build and long arms she is an excellent shot blocker. Offensively she posts up, catches and finishes, and passes well. She is very strong at protecting and clearing rebounds. Beard needs to develop a better outside game, improve her quickness, diversify her post move repertoire, and improve her ability to put the ball on the floor to create her own shot. <strong>Shea Larson</strong>, 2020, 5'11", Beloit Larson is very active on the offensive end. She posts up strongly, can score around the basket with a variety of moves, and is unafraid to attack shot blockers. She gets out in transition and handles the ball well in the open floor. Larson needs to improve her strength and defensive positioning to become a better rebounder. She also needs to improve her 10'-12' from the basket scoring ability. This extends to freethrows as well, where she shoots less than 30%. [caption id="attachment_24753" align="alignright" width="300"] Beloit's Shea Larson readies for a post entry pass against Hugoton's Jordyn Beard[/caption] Lyons has a pair of 6'0", 2020 post players that bear watching primarily because they did not get enough touches for me to get a feel for their offensive game. Lyons did not make a concerted effort to get either of them the ball. <strong>Liberty Belote</strong> stood out defensively due to being a physical presence in the paint and as a shot blocker.  She needs to improve her transition speed and aggression on both ends of the court. <strong>Kristina Head</strong> did have some opportunity to show her ability to play with her back to the basket using a variety of moves and to get a shot off quickly. Head has good transition speed but needs to improve her strength and positioning to be a better defender and rebounder. <strong>Molly Chitty</strong>, 2019, 5'11", Southeast of Saline Chitty earned her share of rebounds due to being the best post player in the tournament in terms of boxing. While she shoots less than 25% from the line Chitty is aggressive on both ends of the floor and is a threat to get a double double in points and rebounds every game. <strong>Kinzie Comley</strong>, 2020, 5'9", Sterling Comley is a threat to score in transition and from beyond the three point line. As the best defensive rebounder on an undersized team she initiates the team's transition offense quickly off the rebound with her passing. She showed the ball handling ability to beat opposing posts off the dribble because her perimeter shooting must be respected. [caption id="attachment_24754" align="alignright" width="300"] Sunrise Christian Academy's Ugne Kucinskaite Catches a post entry pass against Trinity Catholic[/caption] <strong>Ugne Kucinskaite</strong>, 2020, 6'1", Sunrise Christian Academy Ugne's strength is the ability to quickly put the ball on the floor to create her own shot around the basket. While strong, improvement in boxing out and vertical leap would improve her ability to be a rebounding threat. She needs to improve her defensive quickness as well to compete with quality post-up players. She is a solid passer out of the post but not a scoring threat around the perimeter. &nbsp;