30 Ballers from January’s Play List
Obsessive game watchers discover new faces with amazing talent, AND learn that familiar faces can, indeed, surprise us with new “tricks.” January 2020 was an excellent month for old and new delights on the hardwood. How sweet it is! Even…
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Continue ReadingObsessive game watchers discover new faces with amazing talent, AND learn that familiar faces can, indeed, surprise us with new “tricks.” January 2020 was an excellent month for old and new delights on the hardwood. How sweet it is! Even better to be astonished, then to document the players’ growth.
New Underwood’s Cerrington Jones (2021 6’0) “jumps thru the ceiling” with a 32-inch vertical to board, block and score. Like, 22 pts versus Kadoka Area with 16 rebounds. See featured photo at top.
RC Stevens’ Jayda McNabb (2022 5’10) intensely active with early-game bursts of dominance. The entire Raider team feeds off her offensive energies.
Jayda McNabb #10 Gets A Held Ball Using a Wrestler’s Move Kenadi Rising Fakes A Defender AirbourneRC Stevens’ Kenadi Rising (2021 5’11) capable of high-points-scored-explosions once she learns to finish drives and not miss da bunnies. Highly intuitive, great BB IQ and fearless.
Kadoka Area’s Lavin Bendt (2020 5’10) is tenacious and rugged in the paint. Rebounds, and scores layups off drives starting at the top of the key. Surprising agility shown weaving her way to the basket.
Lavin Bendt of Kadoka scores thru triple team from New UnderwoodSpearfish’s Stella Marcus (2022 5’6) can take a ball to the rim or pop from the perimeter. Athleticism stands out and continued development has intriguing potential.
Sturgis’ Sarah Janz (2020 5’11) – Heady team leader, with shooting accuracy from all levels. Her quick pokes keep foes wary of turnovers from ball-handling errors.
Red Cloud’s Stevi Fallis (2021 5’5) – Tireless & relentless floor general, who always pushes the ball for early offense. Ball-pressure-cubed described her defensive style.
STM’s Haleigh Timmer (2021 5’11) Earned a triple-double against Sturgis and averages double-double’s off sick-quick reflexes. Multiple D-1 offers with official visits planned.
Haleigh Timmer scoring 1,000-th point vs Lead/DeadwoodSTM’s Scarlet Grimshaw (2023 5’5) hits key 3-pointers, dogs the opposing point guard, and flies around, but remains aware with great anticipation.
Deadwood’s Anna Campbell (2020 5’11) L/D’s best player with multiple capabilities to dribble, pass, score, rebound, and defend.
Crow Creek’s Kaylee Wells (2020 5’10) 1,000-pt scorer, mainly in the paint, who usually dominates opponent’s posts. Crashes boards and holds low post position extremely well.
Parkston’s Sydney Wickersham (2020 5’8) is a very active ball hawk, constantly in motion, seeking a competitive advantage to exploit. Team leader in performance metrics.
McCook Central’s Ashtyn Wobig (2022 5’9) Emerging leadership stems from aggressiveness at both ends, plus increased rebounding and scoring focus.
McCook Central’s Madisen Koepsell (2021 6’0) – Good footwork and balance in paint when double-teamed. Now becoming a complete player with handles, passes and scoring to complement native athletic ability.
Ethan’s Ava Lingmann (2024 5’4) – A younger skilled player with a very promising upside to develop and maintain Ethan’s prominent status. How can Ethan be stopped?
Ethan’s – Maddy Bartscher (2024 5’7) – Another young skilled player…etc-see above remarks. Both 8th graders have an older sister on varsity. Breakup the Ethan juggernaut!!
Andes Central’s Lexi VanderPol (2022 6’1) – A late growth spurt leads to this late-blooming talent. With the heady combination of balls skills and size, she holds all the fixings.
Faulkton Area’s lefty Abby Vetch (5’5) Prototypical point guard who can distribute first, or create own scoring when needed. Roams far and wide on defense to pester and deny.
Langford Area’s Tall Trees – Mallory Miller (2023 6’3), Hanna Miller (2022 6’0), Ady Dwight (2020 6’0), and Chesney Olson (2020 6’0) – Tallest starters in SD ?
Bridgewater’s Julia Weber (2022 5’7) -Silk smooth lefty has ghost moves, just appearing in the right place at the right time, scoring and picking off errant passes.
Hamlin’s Logan Keszler (2020 5’9) is an aggressive, quick penetrating rim runner, with floor vision to connect to cutters and spot-up shooters. Key to Hamlin’s run in March Madness.
Tea Area’s Olivia Ritter (2021 5’8) went off for 38-pts against Madison recently. But her scoring and overall consistency is largely at the core of Tea’s 8-2 record.
Colman-Egan’s Braiden Westley (2021 5’7) – Liked her efforts and results at the Entriinger Classic. Game statistics report steady improvements. Further progress now expected each time out.
Flandreau’s – Tishara Hardy (2020 5’6) – Hardy’s three-point success keeps lanes open for drives, rebounds, and passes, both for her and the steal-happy Parsley sisters.
DR St Mary’s Ella Heinitz (2021 5’7) is a matchup horror story, given her track speed, and newly found scoring prowess. Ball handling skills are her foundation, and there’s more progress ahead. The new coach is a proven builder.
Custer’s Josey Wahlstrom (2022 5’6) works diligently towards that complete player profile. Athletic and ambitious, she’s progressed and her team is 7-8, from her great efforts.
West Central’s Addy Kramer (2022 5’8) is one of three opportunistic 10th-grade wings, now maturing and preparing to lead WC back to the State tourney.
SF Washington’s Brooklyn Harpe (2023 5’10) plays smart and works hard. Not yet a star, just on the cusp of brilliance. High BB IQ alone justifies court time and skills are improving.
O’Gorman’s lefty Allison Crouse (2020 5’8) changes the game tempo, with sure handles, quickness, and focused defense. Love her fiery attitude and on-floor demeanor.