North Meck Holds Off Undefeated Hopewell!

I had the opportunity to visit North Meck High School in Huntersville, NC to watch undefeated Hopewell battle one loss North Meck! North Meck defeated Hopewell 67-62. Hopewell was short handed a few players but they showed some savvy to carry on and make it a great game. North Meck jumped out to a 25-10 first quarter lead. Hopewell senior, Arkansas St commit <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aniya-finger/">Aniya Finger</a>( 25 points) started slow as she committed a few early turnovers in efforts to get to the rack but she turned things around in the second quarter in a major way! National recruit, North Meck junior <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jessica-timmons/">Jessica Timmons</a> (37 points) started fast and had 25 points by the half. Hopewell worked themselves back in the game by setting up a press that slowed the game down a little and to a degree forced Timmons to dribble through the press or find others to make plays. By halftime the score was 43-32 North Meck. Timmons received some help from C/O 23 players Navaeh Farmer(12 points) and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/zoe-henderson/">Zoe Henderson</a> ( 6 points and 2 boards). More on them later. By the end of the 3rd quarter the game was tied at 53! Finger was darn near unstoppable for a stretch as she would catch the ball at the free throw line elbow areas, face up and go to the hole. North Meck had a hard time stopping her. On the other end, Farmer and Henderson provided support to Timmons with key jumpers by Henderson and key baskets around the rim by Farmer. To be freshmen, these ladies showed so much poise! They are 2 to watch! Down the stretch a key move was made by North Meck coach Jennifer Baker, as Timmons started guarding Finger and made things difficult for her as she attempted to bring the game home for Hopewell. I was very impressed by Timmons ability to accept the challenge of slowing down Finger late and still carrying the offensive load. In the end, North Meck won as they pulled away late and improved their record to 8-1 while Hopewell dropped to 10-1. I can't wait for these 2 to play again. Here are 5 takeaways from the game! <strong>Navaeh Caldwell has a bright future!</strong> Caldwell C/O 23, does a great job of taking her chances to steal the moment. Last night I watched her take and make critical shots in key moments of the game. She has tremendous poise to be a freshmen. In a tight highly contested game, she didn't panic when her number was called but more importantly she came through! She found away to get to the rim off the dribble and just looked seasoned. As she matures, grows and her role increases, she will continue to get better and be a major difference maker. <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/zoe-henderson/">Zoe Henderson</a> has a nice shot!</strong> I was very impressed with the jumper Henderson C/O 23, displays. She has nice form and she steps right into the shot with confidence. In the heat of some of the biggest moments of the game, she was able to show poise and deliver! I like how she understands her role and when her number is called, she is ready. If she keeps working on her overall game and gets stronger, she will be one to watch, if not already! <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jessica-timmons/">Jessica Timmons</a></strong> Jessica, C/O 21,  showed why she is one of the best players in the state and highly ranked nationally. I was really impressed with her ability to score. She has very nice skills as it pertains to using her jab step, ball fakes, going left and right and her ability to get her shot off. She also has the ability to find the open player. Her IQ is very high. She isn't the fastest (by no means slow either) but with her ability to shoot, she can always keep the defense off balance. So when she pump fakes, jab steps , steps through or uses any of her other offensive bag of tricks, the defense is at her mercy. She has a quick first step and as a defender you seem to always be playing catch-up. I also like her intelligence on defense as she plays smart but aggressive. She moves her feet well and understands body position.  As she keep working, skies the limit. <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aniya-finger/">Aniya Finger</a></strong> The Arkansas St commit is very good! She knows her spots and where she is most effective. She basically took over the game for a stretch last night and when she gets rolling she is a handful. For the most part she lets the game come to her. She has a nice touch and when she puts it on the floor to get to the rim she is hard to deal with. She did a great job carrying the load without a few teammates last night and I look forward to seeing her play later in the year. &nbsp; <strong>How good are Hopewell and North Meck?</strong> I think Hopewell is one of the top 5 or so teams in the highly competitive county of Mecklenburg. They can beat any of the other 4 if at full strength. Being one of the top 5 in Charlotte puts them in position to have a good shot a making a run at the state. That's really all you can ask for in Charlotte and Meck county, a competitive shot. I think Finger is the type of player that can keep you in tough games and carry you along way. Hopewell is strong! North Meck, like Hopewell is right in there as one of the top 5 or so in Charlotte/Meck county. Timmons will be a handful for most teams and will give opponents nightmares. If Henderson, Farmer and senior Nye'mah Smith can consistently contribute, North Meck will be a problem in conference and in state. Timmons will keep them in games and win most others but the supporting cast will have to grow up quickly to make a deep, deep run, which is possible! &nbsp; &nbsp;