Montini Xmas Tournament: Players To Watch (Pt. 2)

<h5 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ’times new roman’, times, serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">16 teams… 8 games(per day)… 4 days. The Montini Xmas Tournament is THE tournament to be at during the holidays. Seats are filled, players are ready, and the energy in the air is indescribable. This will be my first year in the seats as a Scout, and the bench as a Coach, excited is an understatement. </span></strong></span></h5> <h5 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ’times new roman’, times, serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Below are some unsigned players, and players to just keep an eye on, and an ear open. </span></strong></span></h5> &nbsp; ’22 [player_tooltip player_id="343736" first="Brooklyn" last="Gray"] | 5’10 Wing | Rockford Auburn A gifted player whose skill set can be utilized at every position. Her vision, IQ, and ball handling are points of a great guard, the shooting touch can position her as a wing... and Gray’s frame and strength can translate to her being a solid and highly effective post player. Brooklyn is versatile, ready, and just has a bag of talent that is overflowing. The kid is special, and the upside and potential have no limits. Footage won’t do justice, see Brooklyn in person. ’22 [player_tooltip player_id="124865" first="Angelina" last="Giordano"] | 5’9 Combo Guard | Loyola Academy Angelina plays with maturity and poise... which translates to an efficient combo guard. She can control the game with and without the ball in her hand. Giordano is a knockdown shooter, aggressive on the drive and just as aggressive and disciplined on the defensive side. High IQ, reliable, and confident on both sides of the ball. Her style of play will fit in any system, and her leadership is seen constantly throughout the game. ’23 [player_tooltip player_id="346995" first="Shannon" last="Blacher"] | 5’11 Guard/Wing | Montini Quick in the open court, aggressive on the drive, and an IQ that is vibrant and visible through each possession. Blacher is just as much of a threat when she’s handling the ball as when she’s moving around without it. Shannon can score at all 3 levels, defend and cause problems for the 1-4,  and control the game from start to finish. When on defense, she’s just as tenacious and locked in. ’23 [player_tooltip player_id="207051" first="Layla" last="Henderson"] | 5’10 Wing | Naperville North A physical guard whose downhill speed and strength puts defenders on their heels off the first dribble. Henderson can knock down the spot-up jumper, take you off the dribble with a couple of jabs or slash to the basket and finish through contact and with both hands. The quick feet and discipline are used on the other side of the ball as well. Layla sits in a great balanced stance that allows her to get the ball out of anyone’s hands when she plays up. ’24 [player_tooltip player_id="349411" first="Victoria" last="Matulevicius"] | 5’9 Guard | Montini A three-level scorer who can cause problems for any type of defense. Viki downhill, off the cut, or in a one-on-one situation is a nightmare for the opposing team. She’s able to finish at the rim with both hands, through contact, and also over bigger and stronger defenders. Defensively, her quick hands and stamina are her main weapons. She shows constant effort on the boards always in a good position to give her team a second chance. ’22 [player_tooltip player_id="290391" first="Sarah" last="Crossett"] | 6’0 Stretch Forward | Naperville North Crossett’s footwork, strength, and just overall playstyle gives her the most advantage in the post. However, she can stretch the floor with the best of them. On the offensive side, she can play from the arc to the block. She can lace the 3ball (deep), pop the mid or take her defender off the dribble and get to the bucket. That same skill, strength, and footwork are seen on the defensive side as well, with being able to defend the post and be just as effective when guarding the perimeter. ’23 [player_tooltip player_id="295260" first="Grace" last="Carstensen"] | 5’10 Guard | Nazareth Academy A lengthy guard whose athleticism translates to her skillset seamlessly. Grace’s length on the defensive side of the ball is noticed immediately. She can switch through multiple positions and cause problems for guards and the post. Offensively, Carstensen is a markswoman from the arc, crafty when getting to the bucket, and skilled enough to score out of the triple threat. ’24 Danni Scully | 6’1 Wing | Nazareth Academy Danni’s versatility on the court sticks out within the first couple of possessions. Her overall skillet allows her to play and contribute effectively through multiple positions. She can torch you from the arc or take you off the dribble and score at the bucket. She can use her strength and get down low or play make with and without the ball. Defensively, her frame allows her to guard bigs, and she uses her quickness to guard the perimeter. ’22 Katie Anne De Craene | 5’9 Wing | St. Francis A versatile wing who can stretch the floor, shoot the mid and also finish around the rim. She moves well without the ball, which gives her team multiple options and ways to get her the ball. On the boards, Katie shows great footwork and discipline on spinning and then sealing a body. Defensively, she has great instincts and uses them well when playing the help and the passing lanes.