Standout Posts and Wings from the Sterling Invitational

Day 3 of the Sterling Invitational saw all seven teams in action, with Chaparral traveling to Sterling to play the lone pool play fourth place Hutchinson Trinity. Below is a tournament wrap-up look at standout wings and post players from the seven teams. <h2><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hugoton</span></h2> [player_tooltip player_id="127287" first="Summya" last="Adigun"], 5’8", W, 2023 - Adigun consistently showed strength, physicality, and a persistent presence around the basket.  An improving perimeter threat, she was able to get to the rim and elevate well competing for rebounds.  She played four positions on both ends, transitioned well, and created shots for herself and her teammates with good head and shoulder and ball fakes. [player_tooltip player_id="123506" first="Jordyn" last="Beard"], 6’1", C, 2021 - Beard was a all-tournament selection for her dominance inside.  Her scoring, rebounding, and blocking and altering shots were very visible.  Her ability to handle and pass the ball, transition speed, quickness, and extension of her offensive game to the three point line also stood out. <h2><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hutchinson Trinity</span></h2> <strong>Lauren Galliher, 6’0", PF, 2022</strong> - Galliher’s length had a substantial impact on Trinity’s defense.  She was able to alter and block shots, gather rebounds, and accomplish it by walling up and without getting into foul trouble.  Not an easy task given how often she was attacked by players who got into the lane on the drive. Kingman <strong>Hannah Pearce, 5’10", W/SF, 2021</strong> - Pearce was the focus of defenses from every team the Eagles faced.  A solidly built player with good length, quick hands, solid speed in transition, she has the ability to score effectively at all three levels with athleticism.  While she can defend on the perimeter she often found herself battling inside for much of the tournament.  A very good all-around player. <h4><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Scott City</span></h4> <strong>Brooke Strine, 6’0", C, 2023</strong> - Strine has terrific size and length.  She also has solid north-south speed.  Game by game her presence increased, culminating in a double-double in points and rebounds with a couple blocked shots against Trinity and 12 points and 6 rebounds in a low scoring affair against Smoky Valley. <strong>Ella Rumford, 6’0", PF, 2022</strong> - While Rumford struggled finishing around the rim at times but showed perimeter shooting range, good hands, athleticism and speed to get down the floor for transition opportunities. She jumps to and elevates well on rebounds. Rumford also makes effective use of power dribbles and post moves to create shots. <h4><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Smoky Valley</span></h4> [player_tooltip player_id="158593" first="Breanna" last="Priddy"]<strong>, 5’9", SF, 2022</strong> - Persistent would be the word I would use to describe Priddy’s energetic, quick and athletic play throughout the tournament. She showed a diverse game on both ends of the floor.  She also showed a willingness to battle the bigger, stronger post players.  Priddy has solid 15’ range, quick hands, shot blocking anticipation, can score around the rim, and has good transition speed. <strong>Abby Rose, 6’0", SF/PF, 2022</strong> - While Rose did not fill up the box score with offensive numbers she was a strong presence on the boards and defending in the post.  She has good length, speed, and quickness to defend on the wing and inside.  Rose did show three point range, athleticism around the rim, and an ability to score effectively on the move after a catch. <strong>Claire Broxterman, 5’9", PF, 2021</strong> - When Smoky Valley needed strength and scoring inside they turned to Broxterman.  A player with solid north-south speed and the ability to take care of the ball off a turnover or rebound, she was impactful averaging just over 4 rebounds and 3 points in a shade under 11 minutes of court time per game via post moves. <h5><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Southeast of Saline</span></h5> <strong>Aliana Yianakopulos, 5’7", W, 2022</strong> - Yianakopulos’ perimeter shooting, including 3/4 from beyond the arc, was key to breaking open their game with Trinity late. Finishing with 11 points, she also picked up 4 steals and 2 assists as the Trojans benefited 25 Celtic turnovers. <h6>Sterling</h6> [player_tooltip player_id="158592" first="Sadie" last="Beagley"]<strong>, 5’8", PF, 2022</strong> - The undersized, strong, solidly built Beagley continues to show her understanding of how to play the position.  Her experience showed in her skill at attacking and scoring over bigger defenders, getting into position on both ends out of transition. She continued to score, averaging just over 14 points, and rebound, averaging 6. [player_tooltip player_id="125016" first="Bennie" last="Horsch"]<strong>, 5’10", SF, 2022</strong> - Horsh’s inside game seems to get better with every game and her play inside on both ends was consistently strong. Long and fast, she elevated quickly around the rim scoring, rebounding, and challenging shots. Overlooked often is her passing.  Whether it is getting the transition assist, kicking the ball out, or hitting a rim crasher she is effective.  She averaged 12 points, 8 rebounds, and more than 3 assists per game. &nbsp;