DMV SUPER GAMES: McDonogh vs Riverdale Baptist School

<strong>DMV SUPER GAMES: McDonogh vs Riverdale Baptist School</strong> McDonogh dominated the shorthanded Riverdale Baptist School at the Super Games Showcase.  This was the first time many people, even some locals got to actually put their eyes on the Eagles, they didn’t disappoint.  Now it will be interesting how the national rankings will be affected by the Baltimore juggernaut. This game was a coming out party for junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="142846" first="Paris" last="Locke"]</strong> as she started of the game running the floor getting the layin pass in from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="304355" first="Ava" last="McKennie"]</strong>.  She scored three of the Eagles first for baskets and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="238813" first="Kennedy" last="Umeh"] scored the other for an early 10-5 lead.  McDonogh’s Tatum Green shot the gap for a steal and layup and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137230" first="Delaney" last="Yarborough"]</strong> came in off the bench to muscle her way in the lane for a bucket.  The Crusaders got a banked in three from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="319248" first="Tayla" last="Perry"]</strong> and <strong>Zania Barnett</strong> hustled down for a basket as they ended to quarter trailing 16-5. The lead ballooned to 25-9 by halftime as Riverdale Baptist who were down two starters for this game looked for answers.  In the second half it was more Locke, Greene and Umeh as they combined for 30 of the Eagles 40 second half points and a 56-14 victory. <strong>Standout Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="142846" first="Paris" last="Locke"] - 5’11" - Wing - McDonogh - 2023</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-355455" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/11/DSC_0561-1-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /> Paris shot the mid range well and repeatedly got to the basket for finishes.  The Eagle’s used a lot of motion and face cuts and she made the most of every play to the tune of an unofficial 24 points. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="238688" first="Tatum" last="Greene"] - 6’2" - Wing - McDonogh - 2024</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-354865" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/11/DSC_0462-scaled-crop-2049x1345-1637536087-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Tatum had about five steal that she turned into transition points.  Her length bothered the Crusaders as they had no one on the court to match up with her speed and athleticism. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="238813" first="Kennedy" last="Umeh"] - 6’3" - Post - McDonogh - 2024</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-355205" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/11/DSC_0465-300x199.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="300" height="199" /> Kennedy as always was dominant inside as she used her strength to dropstep through and split double teams like melted butter.  She showed another aspect to her game in this one as she sliced through the lane from the wing on several occasions with the grace of a wing guard. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="325274" first="Zanai" last="Barnett"] - 5’8" - Point Guard - Riverdale Baptist - 2023</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-357242" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/11/DSC_0432-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /> Zanai was consistent throughout getting to the basket for finishes or using the mid range game.  She got a few steals on the ball that she was able to convert into points.  Despite the score she kept working as she scored all nine of her team’s fourth quarter points. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="319239" first="Yanniah" last="Boyd"] - 5’11" - WIng - Riverdale Baptist - 2022</strong> Boyd had a nice off balance catch and finish in the second and a couple of back-to-back baskets in the third.  You were able to see the talent shine through in stretches, the Crusaders needed more of that spark. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27873" first="Nekhu" last="Mitchell"] - 6’0" - Wing - McDonogh - 2022</strong> Nekhu was at her best when the Eagles were running.  She gets up the floor very quickly and plays under control with the ball in her hands.  A good finisher with good form on her shot. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="319247" first="Randi" last="Griffin"] - 6’2" - Forward - Riverdale Baptist - 2023</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-355450" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/11/DSC_0435-scaled-crop-2049x1345-1637631332-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Randi had a couple good clean blocks and played great interior defense.  She did much of her damage in the first half but it was enough to see that she is a skilled player that is starting to expand her game.