MAC Shootout – Best Performances: Forwards

Here were the best forwards I watched at the MAC Shootout this weekend. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="164996" first="Kayla" last="Schleifman"] - Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln</strong> There wasn’t an aspect of the game that Kayla didn’t dabble in against Bellevue West. She was one of the more proficient rebounders due to her excellent body positioning and steady hands. She did a great job of using leverage to seal, and then high point the rebound. Her off-ball defense was impressive. She always mirrored the ball, and would show every time the ball entered her area. On offense, she proved to be a ball-mover, not a ball-stopper, and knocked down her jumpers when called upon. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="174482" first="Dani" last="Peterson"] - Bellevue West</strong> Nobody ran the floor harder at the MAC Shootout than Dani. It makes it all worth it with a point guard like [player_tooltip player_id="174468" first="Taryn" last="Wharton"], who hit her with great passes in transition, and Dani was able to steal a few easy buckets. She set excellent screens to free her teammates. Late in the game, when the defense began to zero in on Wharton, Peterson did a terrific job as the release valve. She was relocating, usually somewhere in the mid-post where Wharton could dump it off. From there Peterson made smart decisions to either shoot it or swing it one more time. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="94401" first="Charli" last="Earth"] - Fremont </strong> Fremont is loaded with perimeter talent, but Charli’s versatility as a forward unlocks some unfair advantages for the Tigers. She can pop out to three and knock them down reliably, while also posting up and scoring with her back to the basket. She’s an excellent rebounder, tough as anyone in that department. On Saturday, her offensive gravity around the perimeter really opened up the lane and helped Fremont make their comeback. It’s more than just jacking up three-point shots. She can put it on the floor and attack the closeout, or pivot into a dribble hand-off and work from there. <strong>Lindsay Krause - Omaha Skutt</strong> The 6’4" senior was the best defensive weapon at the Shootout this weekend. She has length and size while maintaining above-average athleticism and balance. She can guard 1-5 as good as any other post player could. She gets into an athletic, low stance when guarding, and moves her feet quickly. She did get crossed up a few times but quickly flipped the hips and got herself back into the picture. The offense was limited, but her overall impact was in the positive range this weekend without a doubt. Her volleyball background is present in her basketball game. &nbsp;