5 Takeaways from Mallard Creeks 53 – 50 Victory over North Mecklenburg….

<span style="font-weight: 400">5 Takeaways from Mallard Creek vs North Mecklenburg - January 10, 2020</span> &nbsp; <span style="font-weight: 400">1 - This fierce rivalry feels like a “Backyard Brawl” </span> &nbsp; <span style="font-weight: 400">The Gym was packed by halftime of the Boys JV Game, after I entered the Gym they announced that they were at full capacity.  This is your neighborhood game that happens everywhere across America, Families are split between graduates from both schools, Prior graduates and former players that have competed in this game are in attendance. There were Power 5 college coaches in attendance along with other Division 1, 2 &amp; 3 Coaches to check out the talent on the floor. The atmosphere was amazing for a regular season High School game, and once the ball was tipped the play on the court matched…</span> &nbsp; <span style="font-weight: 400">2 - <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jessica-timmons/">Jessica Timmons</a> has some help this year and may be able to get to a NCHSAA Final Four or further.</span> &nbsp; <span style="font-weight: 400">Over the last 2 &amp; ½ years <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jessica-timmons/">Jessica Timmons</a> has dominated the scoring column at North Mecklenburg and the State of North Carolina as well, the only thing that she is missing is some worthy team success.  This year there are a trio of Freshman and some seasoned veterans that are stepping up to the plate and showing that this is not a 1 person show anymore. 2020 - Forward - Alona Dunlap - Does a great job of scoring on the interior and cleaning the glass. 2020 - Guard - Nye’Mah Smith - Plays extremely hard on defense and can knock down the open jumper. The 3 Freshman are Nevaeh Farmer, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/zoe-henderson/">Zoe Henderson</a> and Jael Poole and they are all skilled players that are learning how to play at this level.. By the time we hit conference and State playoffs…. Watch out for this group.</span> &nbsp; <span style="font-weight: 400">3 - Mallard Creek has some of the best talent on 1 roster maybe in the entire State… </span> &nbsp; <span style="font-weight: 400">Start with 2020 - Guard - <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/nevaeh-brown/">Nevaeh Brown</a> - the Wake Forest Signee is a skilled Guard that can defend and score at all 3 levels.  2020 - Guard - <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/lauren-walker/">Lauren Walker</a> - has that “In the gym range” on her Jumpshots, she can hit it from anywhere, and is a player that I feel Division 1 schools are missing out on…. She is a Bucket…. 2021 - 6’1” - Wing - Kennedy Simpson - is a matchup problem that will make it difficult for opponents to double team anyone in a close game. Freshman standout - <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/samyha-suffren/">Samyha Suffren</a> - 5’7” - Guard - Has Track star speed and strong ball handling ability, will be a difference maker when the games get tight, she can get steals on the defensive side or knock down 3-Ptrs to close out games…. If Basketball was a Four on Four game, This 4 would be my favorite to be playing in the State Championship game.</span> &nbsp; <span style="font-weight: 400">4 - Both teams have some quality coaching staffs… Are Built for the Postseason…</span> &nbsp; <span style="font-weight: 400">Mallard Creek has been at the top of the Charlotte and NC 4A list for the better part of 10 years and the same constant other than pressure defense, is Head Coach Clarence Johnson.  Coach Johnson has put together an outstanding Decade and as we turn to the 2020’s he is looking to continue the success he has built in North Charlotte, his team is currently 12 - 1 and looking to finish out the season strong before heading to Regional play in February.  North Mecklenburg Head Coach: Jennifer Baker, has coached at her current school throughout the last Decade and has been named Coach Of the Year in the past. The season is going well and they are currently 11 - 3 and looking to continue the success they have had so far this year.  The close proximity of these schools and talent level on these rosters make it real easy to think that either of these teams can be in the NCHSAA 4A State Final 4 or Championship game this year.</span> &nbsp; <span style="font-weight: 400">5 - Defensive stops are the Key to Winning High Level Basketball Games…</span> &nbsp; <span style="font-weight: 400">This game was very well played on both ends of the floor, the talent level of the players and coaching was extremely good for a regular season High School game.  At halftime it was a 1 point game with North Mecklenburg holding a 26 - 25 lead going into the Locker room. The 3rd Qtr went the way of Mallard Creek by 1 Point which had the teams tied at 39 entering the final Period.  Mallard Creek used a stretch where they went to their Senior - Guard - <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/nevaeh-brown/">Nevaeh Brown</a> - 3 straight possessions on the offensive side and she connected for a 6 - 0 run, this was the deciding factor in the game… Scoring and getting stops in Crucial moments…. Mallard Creek pulled ahead but North Mecklenburg showed that no lead was safe, Free Throws in the final 2 Minutes secured the Victory for the Creek Girls Basketball team.</span> &nbsp; <span style="font-weight: 400">Stat Leaders</span> <span style="font-weight: 400">Mallard Creek</span> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">2023 - Guard - <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/samyha-suffren/">Samyha Suffren</a> - 16 Pts </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">2020 - Guard - <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/lauren-walker/">Lauren Walker</a> - 13 Pts</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">2020 - Guard - <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/nevaeh-brown/">Nevaeh Brown</a> - 11 Pts</span></li> </ul> &nbsp; <span style="font-weight: 400">North Mecklenburg</span> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">2021 - Guard - <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jessica-timmons/">Jessica Timmons</a> - 26 Pts</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">2020 - Forward - Alona Dunlap - 8 Pts</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">2020 - Guard - Nye’Mah Smith - 8 Pts</span></li> </ul>