Defending All “A” Champion- Bethlehem Player Evals

<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-349216 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/11/20211102_171604-crop-1783x1171-1636293579-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></p> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preseason coverage continues with the Defending Champions of the All "A" Classic and 5th Region Champion Bethlehem. The Banshees have been known for a wide-open, fast-paced offense as great three-point shooting recently. but will need to transition to more of a Power Inside game this season according to Head Coach Jason A. Clark.  They will miss the ability of Guard Amelia Hodges’ ability to just go get them a bucket whenever they needed it last season.  </p> <p>Apparently, it was during Senior Retreat on the day I visited practice.  So there will be nothing in this write-up about Seniors Bailey Bishop or [player_tooltip player_id="206009" first="Kasey" last="Spalding"] as I cannot write about what I did not see.  The good news:  you can read this article again next year if I don’t make it to Bethlehem next pre-season.  </p> <p>Practice begins with full-court sprinting, layups with the Left and Right hands, and drills designed to improve defensive foot speed and evoke hustle.  </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="164389" first="Xaviara" last="Smalley"] - ’23 6’3" PF - Bethlehem  West Virginia Thunder</strong></p> <p>Smalley is the ranked player in the Junior class, has quick hands and is great on the catch.  In the paint, she seals in the post for the ball, blocks shots, and is an active out-of-zone rebounder.  She is equally good at knocking down the short jumper and the three.  </p> <p>This is a can’t miss DIvision 1 prospect being recruited by Cincinnati, Kentucky, Penn State, Southern Miss, Virginia Tech, Western Kentucky. and several others.  She is likely a Pre-Med Major with designs on being a Surgeon and that means Grad School.  So if you don’t sign her out of High School watch the transfer portal.  She might be available again in a few years.  </p> <p><br /><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="257280" first="Emma" last="Filiatreau"] - ’23 6’1" SF - Bethlehem</strong></p> <p>Fillatreu steps right out of the locker rooms and starts sinking mid-range shots and the exposition of 12 to 17 footers continues all day and extends into three-point range.  Her interior game is more fundamental but is very effective.  She uses her strong build to seal off position to post up and rebound and is an excellent weakside rebounder.  <br /><br />If you were looking for a 6’1" shooter who could play with power inside or stretch the court on the perimeter to add to your college roster you are not going to like the next thing I say.  <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Fillatreau has committed to Oklahoma State as an Equestrian.  The basketball world is going to miss this one.  Maybe you could sign her as a Grad Transfer a few years from now.   <br /><br /></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="228143" first="Carlie" last="Thurmond"] - ’24 5’6" PG - Bethlehem  Kentucky Premier </strong> </p> <p>Thurmond is very long, athletic, and fast.  She is always the first to any loose ball or long rebound and wins every foot race.  As an example I witnessed her slap the backboard during a drill which is very impressive for a player that is 5’6".  </p> <p>She is a very active defender and ballhawk with quick hands ready to pick opponents clean off the dribble.  This skill combined with her speed could make her dangerous to steal and score in seconds.  Offensively, she has a great short jumper and the speed and handles to get that kind of shot whenever she wants it.  </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Caroline Mattingly -’25 5’11" C - Bethlehem</strong></p> <p>The current 3rd wheel of the powerful double post punch of Smalley and Fillatreu is Freshman Caroline Mattingly.  Her game is still a bit raw and she needs to improve her hand strength but she gives good effort on the boards and is fighting two different types of great post players in practice every day for the next two years.  </p> <p>The fundamentals are there and she has great size and the potential to grow.  Not just physically but in skill and experience while Bethlehem will be a contender for the foreseeable future.  Gaining confidence will also help and that will come with more time to learn the drills and plays being run by the team and more time adjusting to the level of talent she faces in practice every day.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->