Brady’s Takeaways: Point Guards
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In the first month of the season, I have attended over 20 games. In those games, plenty of players flashed and showed their abilities. Although, talented players didn’t always play their best. However, it’s not always about the results for…
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Continue ReadingIn the first month of the season, I have attended over 20 games. In those games, plenty of players flashed and showed their abilities. Although, talented players didn’t always play their best. However, it’s not always about the results for a player. One of my favorite things to look for in a player is poise in the face of failure. Point Guards see failure all of the time, whether it’s a turnover, missed shot, or a missed read. In games I’ve attended, these are the four-point guards that have impressed me the most.
Samantha Schmitt Samantha Schmitt 5'6" | PG Oregon | 2024 State WI -5’6 G-’24-Oregon: In Oregon’s matchup with Oconomowoc, Schmitt flipped a switch late in the game. Before we get to the end of the game, I need to mention Schmitt’s play up until then. The sophomore got into foul trouble early. She picked up two fouls early in the game but was trusted to play with two fouls late into the first half. After Schmitt pulled away from a few plays that could’ve led to a foul, she bit and picked up No. 3. What she did after that point was what I remember. Schmitt read Raccoon passing lanes like a children’s book. Schmitt finished the game with five steals, where most came in the second half. The Panther also knocked down a few 3-pointers with a few minutes left to close the game, along with knocking down a few free throws.
Bella Samz Bella Samz 5'9" | PG Arrowhead | 2023 State WI -5’9 G-’23-Arrowhead: In all the games I’ve seen, Samz is the calmest player I’ve watched. Against Neenah, Samz looked as level-headed when the Rockets jumped out to a double-digit lead as she did after knocking down a shot to give her Arrowhead team the advantage in the second half. Because of the Warhawk’s ability to knock down crucial shots, I will only refer to her, outside of naming her on this list, “Big Shot Bella” from here on out. Beyond her clutch shot-making ability, she is an incredible leader. Samz sees the floor well and balances her scoring and distribution effortlessly.
Callie Ziebell-5’6 G-’22-Slinger: Ziebell is one of the most mentally tough players I have seen play. When you see her walk onto the court, the first thing you notice is the brace on her left knee. After Slinger’s matchup with Mukwonago, I learned that she was officially cleared to play for less than two months before playing at the Kettle Moraine Showcase. At face value, that may not seem important, but it is. Ziebell showed absolutely no fear to plant off of that knee. Looking past her injury, Ziebell is may be able to stretch the floor more than anyone I’ve seen. I hardly see Ziebell take 3’s from the line. The senior tends to be a few feet beyond the arc. She is good enough to play at the next level.
Sydney Cherney Sydney Cherney 5'6" | CG Reedsburg | 2024 State WI -5’6 G-’24-Reedsburg: I know that there are multiple Cherney’s on Reedsburg’s team, but it feels like Sydney Cherney Sydney Cherney 5'6" | CG Reedsburg | 2024 State WI can be in multiple places at one time. In a Top-5 matchup against Beaver Dam, Cherney was everywhere. The sophomore finds her way into almost every play defensively. If there was a loose ball, Cherney was always on the floor. The Beaver plays with a will to do everything she can to win. Chereny could take an open jumper, but instead, she’ll drive right into the teeth of the defense and get a couple of free throws. In the game against Beaver Dam, Cherney earned more free throws than anyone, taking 13 of them. If there were heat maps for players’ movements during the game, I think the whole map would be red for Cherney.