Nike TOC Iowa Session III Day 1: Cal Stars 16U Red
Cal Stars Red 16U vs. Colorado Premier 16U, W 50-34 The Cal Stars Red 16U started things off with a Colorado team with some formidable size in its posts. The match started out under even circumstances, but once the Stars…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingCal Stars Red 16U vs. Colorado Premier 16U, W 50-34
The Cal Stars Red 16U started things off with a Colorado team with some formidable size in its posts. The match started out under even circumstances, but once the Stars started pressing Colorado looked absolutely stifled in advancing the ball up the court. Colorado’s stand out bigs included 6’5” center Margaret Mendelson and high energy forward Teya Sidberry. Mendelson towered over absolutely everyone on the court whereas Teya was the steadfast forward who collected rebounds and made plays everywhere. Margaret finished with 7 points and 11 rebounds and Teya had 13 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Other than these standouts, it was difficult for Colorado to get any sort of rhythm as the Stars defensive schemes made it difficult to establish momentum. Scoring came everywhere for the Stars, namely from Nya Epps, who had 10 points in the form of shots and inside points. Randi Harding was another significant piece as she tallied 8 points and Faith Shelton hit two from deep for a total of 6. Ella Wedin Ella Wedin 6'0" | SG La Salle | 2023 State OR had 3 points and provided length defensively as the Stars took this game easily 50-34.
Cal Stars 16U Red vs. All Iowa Attach 10th Morgan, L 46-49
The Stars were challenged next by one of the hometown’s many teams, this time in the form of All Iowa Attack 10th Morgan. This was a patented Iowa squad that stressed ball movement as well as overall team play and structure. Their marquee player was Abigail Jones, a six foot tall and athletic guard who had a feathery touch from deep who totaled 15 points and 6 rebounds for Iowa. They also had the services of Eviyon Richardson, a forward who rolled up her sleeves and did the difficult work as she had 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in the affair. Trinity Cheatom was another bright spot as the calm guard who helped her team in any way possible as she had 5 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists for her club. For the Stars, they were led by Nya Epps, who had a nice shooting display of 15 points to go along with 4 rebounds as she helped them rally throughout the second half. Randi Harding paced the group with 6 points as Trinity Zamora used her length to score inside for 8 points. An x-factor for the Stars was Ella Wedin Ella Wedin 6'0" | SG La Salle | 2023 State OR , who made quite a few plays down the stretch defensively and offensively, doing all the small things a coach loves. Ella finished with 3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assist, and 2 steals. Ultimately, the group fell short as they lost a nail biter 46-49.
This is a club with a lot of talent up and down the roster
When taking a glance at the roster and their play style, one will notice that this team has a lot of individuals who can flat out play. Nya Epps is a player who can come off the bench and score in bunches as she is truly a microwave who can turn it on at any given seconds. Randi Harding is a smooth guard who knows when it is her turn to step up and score and can do it at all three levels. Trinity Zamora is a tall forward who can light it up from three but whose height also facilitates scoring inside the post. Don’t be surprised if other names step up and take the lead along the course of the ride.
More guard play than forwards
The exciting duo of Epps and Harding is something to truly admire as when they are on the floor together they provide a nice balance of yin and yang. Epps is the dynamic scorer who commands attention by her scoring aptitude whereas Harding is the more quiet but elusive guard who gets the job done. This Stars club is one that is guard dominant by all the pieces they have, which is even seen in their reserves as Maya Hernandez and Ella Wedin Ella Wedin 6'0" | SG La Salle | 2023 State OR are both big guards that bring more to the table.
Ella Wedin Ella Wedin 6'0" | SG La Salle | 2023 State OR is finding comfort playing a utility role
Wedin, who is getting her first AAU high school experience with a highly heralded program, is expanding her game and role during her time with the Stars. She is playing defense with her length, grabbing rebounds, and asserting herself as an all-around player who will come in and contribute immediately. This was especially seen in her second game where she had a hand everywhere, finishing with 3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. She has become comfortable doing anything and everything.