Difference Makers of the Class 2A Sterling Sub-State Semifinals

The class 2A Sterling sub-state semifinals games provided me the opportunity to see leading players for the four teams. Top-seeded, #5 ranked Inman faced fourth-seeded Bennington. Second-seeded, #7 ranked Sterling faced third-seeded Canton-Galva.  This was the third time I've seen Sterling, the <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2019/01/garden-plain-at-sterling-a-clash-of-class-2a-top-5-teams/">first</a> time was against current #3 ranked Garden Plain back in December. What follows is a list of difference makers for each team. <h3><span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Bennington</span></span></h3> <strong>Chloe Stanley</strong>, 2020, 5'7", PG - Strong ball handler, fast with the ball in transition, created her own shot off the dribble, athletic finisher, solid defensively, off-ball steal threat. <strong>Regan Robinson</strong>, 2021, 5'8", F - Game post player for an undersized team; uses her body, walled up, and boxed well; looked to create her own shot around the basket but footwork was inconsistent; worked to seal but needs to improve post-moves and show the ability to score from 10'-12'. <h3><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Canton-Galva</span></span></h3> <strong>Latia Moddelmog</strong>, 2020, 5'6", PG - Strong ball handler, very fast in transition, excels on the dribble drive, can finish creatively, boxes well on defensive end but is foul prone due to need to improve off-ball help abilities. <strong>Alexa Bell</strong>, 2021, 5'4", PG - Good ball handler with plenty of upside, three point threat. <h3><span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Inman</span></span></h3> <strong>Macey DeWitt</strong>, 2019, 5'7", G/F - Aggressive, solid all-around game; can finish in traffic including off across-the-lane drives; 10'-12' range; can go end-to-end off the rebound; difficult match up due to game and build; can play the point. <strong>Rachel Harman</strong>, 2020, 5'11", PF - Good strength, build, speed, and competitiveness makes for a difficult match up; solid rebounder with 10'-12' range. <strong>Dantlie Raney</strong>, 2021, 5'5", PG - Solid ball handler, threat off the perimeter and the dribble drive; quick defensively - played the top of all zones and presses; fast with the ball in transition. <h3><span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Sterling</span></span></h3> <strong>Kinzie Comley</strong>, 2020, 5'7", G/F - Fast in transition, aggressive rebounder, showed a quick post move from right-side block. <strong>Kayla Morris</strong>, 2021, 5'10", F - Fast in transition, can go end-to-end off the rebound, aggressive rebounder on both ends. <strong>Kalie Briar</strong>, 2022, 5'4", PG - Quick with strong ball handling ability, fast in transition, perimeter threat. Inman jumped out to a quick lead, wrapping up the first quarter with a 12-8 lead. Bennington pitched a shut-out in the second to get the teams to the half tied. Once Bennington took it's only lead of the game, 13-12, Inman scored 11 unanswered points and rolled a 14-point victory. Sterling jumped on Canton-Galva from the opening tip. Canton-Galva's inability to finish in transition, knock down open jumpers, and control the ball were answered by Sterling scoring in transition, from three, and inside. After pushing their lead to more than 20 points by the half and 25 mid-way through the third quarter, Sterling turned the remainder of the game over to their bench on the way to winning by 24.