USE Basketball Family Reunion: 2022 vs 2021 Game

<span style="color: #000080;font-size: 18pt;text-decoration: underline"><strong>USE Basketball Family Reunion: 2022 vs 2021 Game</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_76445" align="alignleft" width="300"] USE Family Reunion[/caption] <em>The 6th Annual USE Basketball Family Reunion took place at Pikesville High School.  As usual it had their share of local talent with the Baby Ballers Game (elementary school). the Middle School Game and the Rising Sophomore vs Rising Junior Game (2022 vs 2021).  This year the college alumni game was missing because of schedule conflicts but the event was a big success starting off with a panel discussion that included subject from eligibility to rankings and more.  The panel included Holly Ismail, Lisa Willis, Samuel Walker and yours truly Tink Butler.  Props to Briana "Breezy" Hutchinson for the vision to bring this to Baltimore and Al Schell for keeping it going.</em> <em>The 2022 vs 2021 game was the marquee game of the day with the rising juniors on a mission to make a statement to their older counterparts.  The game started off in a three pointer battle before both teams settled down and started doing real work.  The class of 2021 eventually prevailed for a 76-70 come from behind victory. </em> <span style="color: #0000ff;text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><strong>Standout Players in the 2022 vs 2021 Game: </strong></span></span> <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Taylor Gibson - 6'3" - Post/Wing - Bishop McNamara - 2021</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_76447" align="alignnone" width="300"] Taylor Gibson[/caption] If I were handing out an MVP award for the game it would have went to Taylor.  She definitely used the opportunity to showcase her skill knocking down three pointers from every angle on the court.  Unofficially I counted 6 threes including a step back variety that gave her team the lead late in the game.  She also did her patented work in the paint finishing well and driving to the basket. <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Messiah Hunter - 6'1" - Wing/Guard - Hopewell - 2021</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_76462" align="alignnone" width="300"] Messiah Hunter[/caption] Messiah showed her athleticism with great elevation on her shot.  She got to the basket at will and really turned it up in the second half.  She was easily one of the best players in the building and the only player in the game not from Maryland (Virginia).  Her mid range game was a thing of beauty. <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Ny'Ceara Pryor - 5'4" - Point Guard - Western - 2022</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_76449" align="alignnone" width="300"] Ny'Ceara Pryor[/caption] Pryor was the best point guard I saw during the day.  In these events when everyone wants to shoot, she made sure to get her teammates involved.  She made it known that she could also score by getting to the basket and staying under control through contact for the finish. <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Delaney Yarborough - 6'4" - Post - McDonogh - 2022</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_76466" align="alignnone" width="300"] Delaney Yarbough[/caption] Delaney was the top rebounder in the house.  She has a big strong body to create space but she also propels her 6'4" frame of the floor to elevate over everyone to grab boards.  She finishes well by the basket and had a good showing overall. <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Kayla Cabbagestalk - 5'9" - Wing - Chesapeake - 2021</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_76452" align="alignnone" width="300"] Kayla Cabbagestalk[/caption] Kayla play the entire game as if it were for a championship.  She ran the floor full speed and played solid defense.  Her effort paid off as she was one of the games leading scorers getting quite of bit of her points from the free throw line. <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Mia Smith - 5'10" - Wing - Clarksburg - 2022</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_76450" align="alignnone" width="300"] Mia Smith[/caption] Mia twists and turns and finds ways to get through the tightest of lanes to finish.  She moves the ball around well when attacking to avoid defenses that like to swipe at it.  She is great at drawing contact and getting to the line for three point plays. <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Cori Barnes - 5'9" - Wing - St. Frances Academy - 2022</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_76451" align="alignnone" width="300"] Cori Barnes[/caption] Cori showed that she had three range hitting several from beyond the arc.  She ran the floor and played hard throughout.  She was always involved going after 50/50 balls and was mixing it up in the paint for rebounds. <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Gabby Johnson - 5'8" - Point Guard - Western - 2022</strong></span> Gabby probably got the most out of  the showcase because she seemed to have the most fun.  She was visibly excited to be out playing amongst her peers.  She played with her usual energy and was just as excited to see her teammates score as she was when she scored herself. [caption id="attachment_76465" align="alignnone" width="300"] Gabby Johnson[/caption]