Game Preview: George Washington vs Dakota Ridge

Games are now in play with the start of the new season on January 25th.  This is the moment that players and parents have been waiting on for a few months, and now getting a chance to showcase talent.  There are some teams that were able to get in their sooner than others but they are all after the same goal which is for a chance to compete in the playoffs. This Friday we have a matchup that is a non-conference game, and some talented players playing in the bright lights this time without fans to cheer on.  Fans can add an advantage with the home teams boosting team energy, and being a distraction to the opposing team. George Washington will host Dakota Ridge this Friday, and George Washing is off to a hot start winning 2 games back to back.  They are coming in winning both games by more than 20 points, and have some players that can score at will.  Dakota Ridge will look to slow down that high power offense.  They are coming off a lost against Legend (50-43) on Wednesday. <strong>Players to watch on January 29th at 5:30pm:</strong> &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="95127" first="Maya" last="Whiteside"] (6’0", 2021, G/F)</strong> Whiteside has been very excited to play with her team with no new faces to the roster with an exception of playing alongside her sister [player_tooltip player_id="216733" first="Gianna" last="Whiteside"] who is young and hungry.  Older sister [player_tooltip player_id="95127" first="Maya" last="Whiteside"] plays with unmatched energy each game, and can score in a variety of ways.  She has great length, and size standing at 6-foot-0.  No question that the team would gel, and have very good chemistry.  Last year she averaged 11.9 points, and 7.9 rebounds per game. https://x.com/MayaWhiteside7/status/1354800342584619020 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="95224" first="Jaida" last="Redwine"] (5’8", 2023, G)</strong> Redwine is a very excited player to watch as she can shoot from behind the arc, and can get to the rim with a variety of finishes.  She has been showing tremendous improvement each year, and has been opening a lot of eyes with her game.  Redwine was the leading scorer on her team last year as a freshman with 16.0 points per game, and can play on the defensive end.  This year she will continue to find ways to put the ball in the basket. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="117702" first="Wakinyela" last="Bear"] (5’6", 2022, G)</strong> Bear shows that she can knock down open shots from behind the arc.  She is coming off of a hot start her first game scoring 24 points.  The team did not get the results they were hoping for but Dakota Ridge has a player in Bear who can create scoring opportunities <strong>Hannah Gallbreath (2024, F)</strong> First varsity game for the freshman, and showed that she can handle the pace of the game.  She scored 6 points, and now that she has got the first game nerves out of the way she is a player that can help boost Dakota Ridge this season.  Despite the first lost of the season there is still a chance for Gallbreath and Dakota Ridge to show that they can compete for a spot in the playoffs