Week One Starting 5: Dual County League
The first week of the 2020-2021 season was full of many transcendent performances, highlights, and exciting basketball from a handful of players. With the week coming to a close, I have created a starting 5 of players who shined to…
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Continue ReadingThe first week of the 2020-2021 season was full of many transcendent performances, highlights, and exciting basketball from a handful of players. With the week coming to a close, I have created a starting 5 of players who shined to open the season. Basing my lineup off of stats, skillset, and intangibles, my starting 5 for the Dual County League (DCL) is as follows:
Backcourt:
Maddy Genser – Newton South – G – Soph.
Highlight Performance: 23 pts, 7 rebs, 5 asts, 4 stls, 3 three-pointers vs. Concord-Carlisle
Genser dominated on both sides of the ball this past week in the two Newton South games vs. Concord Carlisle. One of the best shooters in the DCL, the sophomore guard can catch and shoot from a distance or convert three-pointers off the dribble. What is underrated about Genser’s playstyle is her pace and poise. She is a great point guard because she plays so under control and does not try to force anything. She possesses a leadership intangible that is key for floor generals to have, and it shows late in games when Newton South needs a crucial defensive play or shot.
Laura Johnson-Shedd – Lincoln Sudbury – G – Soph
Highlight Performance: 10 pts, 4 rebs, 5 asts, 6 stls vs. Acton Boxboro
Johnson-Shedd shined in Lincoln-Sudbury’s season opener. Doing a little bit of everything, the guard made her presence felt on defense. Her tenacity on the defensive end led to many transition points, and her efforts played a significant role in holding Acton Boxboro to 36 total points. Johnson-Shedd is one of the best two-way players in the DCL, and when she’s not locking down opposing offenses, she is bullying her way to the rim with aggressive drives and easy lay-ups. She also showed confidence in shooting the ball as she nailed a three-pointer en route to her 10-point effort.
Frontcourt:
Teagan Brown – Lincoln Sudbury – F
Highlight Performance: 5 rebs, 3 stls, 1 blk vs. Acton Boxboro
Brown is a versatile defender who can guard out at the perimeter or be a shot-blocker in the interior. A magnet to the ball, Brown can pickpocket ball handlers and can push the ball up the court in transition after her theft. She is a long, athletic wing who does not need to score points to impact the game. A type of player coaches would love to have on their roster because you can use her in many different defensive sets. She can guard your best offensive player in man-to-man and play both up top and down low in a halfcourt zone. If you wanted to go full-court zone press/trap, her versatility allows her to play multiple positions on the court in those sets.
Amaris Mills – Newton South – F – Sr.
Highlight Performance: 24 pts, vs. Concord Carlisle
The beneficiary of numerous penetrate and kick-outs from Maddy Genser, Mills is a legitimate sniper from three. Her 24-point game against Concord Carlisle does not do her offensive game justice. She is the type of player who can go off for 30 points the way she can catch fire from deep. Her silky smooth jump shot combined with her ball-handling ability makes her a matchup nightmare for opposing forwards. If you try to defend her with a big forward, she will beat them off the dribble with her speed. If you decide to guard her with a smaller defender, she dominates them with her size and strength. Amaris Mills is a power forward with a point guard skillset who early on looks unstoppable.
Sammy Johnson – Wayland – F – Jr
Highlight Performance: 6 pts, 5 rebs, 2 stls, 1 blk vs. Weston
Johnson was the anchor for the interior defense for Wayland. She did an excellent job against Weston altering shots and patrolling the paint, not allowing players to get up easy shots. The junior forward has great rebounding instincts. She reads the ball off the rim well, especially on the offensive glass for put-back layups. Playing a vital role in Wayland getting off to a 2-0 start, Johnson, as we advance, can be a defensive force in the DCL.