Montini Xmas Tournament: Byron’s Day 1 Standouts!

<h6 style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Day 1 didn’t go as the original programs planned, but it was still a treat for those in their seats. </strong></em></h6> <h6 style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Below are some game named MVPS, and players that stood out and made an impact regardless of the score. </strong></em></h6> &nbsp; <strong><em>Whitney Young Vs. Huntley</em></strong> <em>’23 [player_tooltip player_id="205564" first="Olivia" last="Vick"] | 5’7 Combo Guard | Whitney Young</em> The unanimous MVP of the day. Vick is a torcher from the arc. Capping off the night with 28points.. with 6/6 from downtown. She’s patient, aware, and aggressive as they come. Her skill to create shots no matter what the defense throws is something to take notice of. She can flip the switch and play make just as well. A combo guard who has tons of talent within that 94ft. <em>’23 Ashlyn Horton | 5’10 Stretch Forward | Huntley</em> A tough-bodied forward who shows confidence from the arc. Defensively, Horton has the frame and size to guard the 3-5 and the foot speed to switch out to defend guards when needed. On the other side of the ball, Ashlyn can affect the game at all levels. She drives hard to the basket, has the build to post up, and has an excellent form from the arc. Balanced stance, fluid motion, and a quick release. <strong>Naperville North Vs. Taft</strong> <em>’23 [player_tooltip player_id="148156" first="Abby" last="Drendel"] | 5’10 Combo Guard | Naperville North</em> The two guard plays the combo position to the T. Without the ball, she’s in constant motion looking for ways to score or to play make. She’s aggressive on the drive but crafty on the finish. A high arching shot, but a smooth release from the mid out to the 3. Her skill set is just as effective in half-court, as it is in a full-court situation. Drendel is a strong ball-handler who shows great awareness of the floor and her teammates on every possession. Tough on both sides of boards as well. Always crashing, getting in the right position, and boxing out as the shot goes up. <em>’23 Kirsten Nicholson | 5’10 Forward | Taft</em> A high motored forward who does every little thing that most players don’t want to do. Shows aggressiveness on the glass, and the willingness to sacrifice for deflections or loose balls. Offensively, she can contribute in multiple ways but shows confidence when she’s shooting the long ball. A player like that will always find herself minutes and a spot in a starting lineup. Complete effort and heart. <strong>York Vs. Burlington Central</strong> <em>’23 [player_tooltip player_id="290392" first="Becca" last="Carani"] | 5’8 Combo Guard | Burlington Central</em> An elite top-notch shooter, who seems to love defending and being a ball hawk. Many key in on Becca’s efficiency with her lights out shooting, her craftiness with the ball, and the constant work she does to create space… but it’s her defensive that gives her team a safety blanket at the perimeter. She has the “shut up and work” approach to the game, that most elite scorers put in their back pocket. <em>’22 Erin Powers | 5’9 Guard | York</em> A guard who contributes to the team without having to put many points on the board. She disrupts an entire offense from all areas on the court by just being active every minute she’s on the court. Can get timely steals, deflections, and blocks that are "hand on ball".. not just swats. When she is putting points on the stat sheet, she shows confidence on every level. She’ll take the 3, get to work, and go to the bucket or knock down the 12-15 footer if it’s there. <strong>Montini Catholic Vs. St. Francis</strong> <em>’22 [player_tooltip player_id="343731" first="Sawyer" last="White"] 5’8 Combo Guard | Montini Catholic </em> A true high IQ floor general who puts pressure on both sides of the ball. Offensively, white puts her teammates in the right position to score. Timely passes, solid screens, or hockey assists when she’s the defense isn’t where they should be. She’s crafty off the dribble, at the rim, and can score at all three levels effortlessly. Smooth and quick release from the arc as well. On the defensive side, she’s a glove and shows the same high IQ and awareness when jumping the pass lanes. <em>’22 Katie Anne De Craene | 5’9 Wing | St. Francis</em> Constant effort on both sides of the ball. Katie uses her frame to get where she wants on the court. She’s patient and shows poise when the ball is in her hand but shows energy and effort when moving without the ball. She can knock down the long ball when left open or get to the rim through traffic and finish with or without contact. &nbsp;