Shelby Ready to Repeat Championship Run

Mindy McCarthy August 30, 2021 @ 07:47 PM

Shelby High School won the 2A State Championship title, and I think they are poised to make another run at the championship. Here’s a look at some of the returners that are determined to have a repeat. [player_tooltip player_id="116903" first="Kate" last="Hollifield"] | CG | 2022 Hollifield committed to Belmont University this summer, and she is certainly ready to finish her high school career continuing with her high scoring performances. She’s a great three point shooter, and she knows how to be patient waiting to slide into the right position to catch a pass and show that off. On the other end of the court, she is a tenacious defender grabbing steals from her opponents with ease, and she can certainly push them up the court herself. Yahriea Peeler | C | 2022 Peeler led her team in rebounds, and she was consistent doing so throughout the season. She does a great job tracking the ball on defense knowing how to grab steals or block shots. On offense, she knows exactly where to be to contribute for her team. She is a big presence in the paint drawing opponents towards her to prevent her from scoring. [player_tooltip player_id="158260" first="Maraja" last="Pass"] | PG | 2023 As a sophomore, Pass won Player of the Year in her conference, and this was certainly well deserved. College coaches seem to think so, too, as she has gained the sights of several Division I schools. Her stats speak for themselves averaging over 20 points a game but also contributing numerous assists, rebounds, and steals on a consistent basis. Her confidence with the ball makes it easy for her set up isolation plays using various moves like behind the back dribbles, crossovers, and hesitation moves to get by her opponents. This translates well to the other end of the court as she picks the pocket of her opponents and pushes it to the other end to score in transition. [player_tooltip player_id="201847" first="Ally" last="Hollifield"] | SG | 2023 Hollifield really stepped up for her team last season, and she is poised to continue to do so this year. Appalachian State has already offered her, and I am sure that is just the beginning. Her knack for scoring is certainly fun to watch, but her defensive abilities to block shots and strip the ball from her opponents are what makes her exceptional. Her ability to shoot from deep is fun to watch as she knows exactly what she is going to do to score some points every time she touches the ball. Brooke Hartgrove | SG | 2023 Hartgrove continues to find more and more ways to contribute for her team and was certainly important for her team during their championship season. She had multiple games with five or more three pointers making opponents pay for thinking they could give her some space on the court. She runs the floor well finding ways to contribute on fast breaks whether she is ready for a pass or she is blocking shots in transition. Shelby is also looking forward to having some more contributions from post players like Sydnie Enste and Jahlaya Abernathy. Incoming freshman Jamiah Hopper will be able to learn a lot from the current team, but she already brings talents of her own that she can contribute right away.