Mavs Classic: The Village vs. Richardson

The girls’ division of the Mavs Fall Classic with a high octane show. In the 6 pm slot Rick Reedy High School in Frisco hosts Richardson and The Village. The latter of the two would win in a landslide 68-36 victory. Though a rough outing for the purple and gold eagles both teams had some young talent. <div>From tip-off the game’s tempo was dictated by the defenses. The Village finishes the game with 14 blocks 12 of which came from three players; Junior Jada Malone, Sophomore Sydney Ward, and Freshman Rylee Gray. The trio formed a near-impenetrable wall to the basket.</div> <div></div> <div>Ward anchored the teams press collecting several steals on the day and stifling ball handlers with her length. On offense, she shot the lights out from three making 3 of 5. Her playmaking ability on both ends really popped tonight.</div> <div></div> <div>Gray is a work in progress but there’s so much there to mold. She’s 6-3 with a strong frame with a high motor. She plays hard and understands verticality which leads to easy blocks thanks to her size.</div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div>Malone is creating a total package that coaches drool over. She’s tall, strong and capable of putting the ball on the ground to create plays without forcing them. When she’s near the rim on either end she’s bound to make a play that gives her team the edge.</div> <div></div> <div>Aiken Semones spent her time on the floor as a floor spaced and it’s obvious why. When her number was called she drilled her shots. As another player with an impressive frame Semones just may be scratching the surface of her play.</div> <div></div> <div>Tymberlin Criswell played her role with the best of them. The lead guard used her quicks to slip into the paint and finish at the rim. She’s long and puts up a fight on the defensive end. A little known bright spot in her game may be the ability to run the pick and roll it opens up her ability to drive with little resistance.</div> <div></div> <div>The Village’s lone senior Emily Dogbatse is coming off an injury and is playing with a minute restriction but she’s talented. She plays hard and combines the size and skill to be a team’s swiss army knife.</div> <div></div> <div>For Richardson, a trio of Juniors was the face of their game. Guards Callie Cooper, Zariah Tillman, Kaia Ponder filled the stat sheet, especially in the scoring column. When they’re on the court together they stretch the floor and make defenders squirm.</div> <div></div> <div>Cooper’s quickness makes her a tough cover and when you mix that with her range well beyond the college three she’s a bucket. She has a tight handle, finishes well in the paint, and has the edge you want in a leader. In tight games, when you need someone to make a play she elevates her game in a flash.</div> <div></div> <div>Tillman played as an off guard for most of the night but when Cooper needed a breath her game broke out. She’s another quick guard who knows how to get to paint and finish around size. Her quick handle allows her to stay shifty and opens her up for her smooth pull up jump shot.</div> <div></div> <div>Ponder’s size and skill make her a versatile tool for Richardson. Thanks to that she was forced to guard The Village’s giants and for nearly 32 minutes she fought for position on the block showing off her natural strength. She’s a willing passer and shows strong leadership instincts, rallying her teammates in needed situations.</div>