Nickerson Standouts Part IV: The Montenegrin Missile

The final part of the Nickerson Classic standout series. &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_368418" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/1C30D865-1BDA-4BAA-92BC-D4311E99CE3A-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1640360877.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-368418" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/1C30D865-1BDA-4BAA-92BC-D4311E99CE3A-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1640360877-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Produced4Soul[/caption] <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="368408" first="Ciany" last="Conyers"] - Hoosac - 5’9’’ - CG - ’23</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Conyers’ performance got stronger by the game at the Nickerson Classic, and against Tilton gave me a glimpse of how good her playmaking ability is. Tilton is one of the most physical and aggressive teams you will see, and I thought Conyers handled their pressure well and still found ways to get her shot off. Conyers is an excellent scorer off the dribble who can shoot it well and uses her body well to initiate contact. </span> &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="363000" first="Alina" last="Abdulina"] - Hoosac - 5’11’’ - SG - ’23</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Abdulina’s versatility and consistency stood out last weekend. Against two top teams in NEPSAC, Abdulina scored efficiently and was one of the best rebounding guards of the tournament. Her face-up and perimeter game is strong, and Abdulina will also get on the block and post up. She showed good footwork and finishing ability when her back was to the basket.  Abdulina was an offensive rebounding machine who took advantage of every second chance opportunity. Her mid-range shooter is also lethal. </span> &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_368416" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/C5D3A828-3A5E-44DC-92A4-3AD9C834E4B5-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1640360761.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-368416" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/C5D3A828-3A5E-44DC-92A4-3AD9C834E4B5-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1640360761-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Produced4Soul[/caption] <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="331441" first="Merit" last="Innocent"] - Hoosac - 6’2’’ - PF - ’23</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Innocent carried the scoring load in the second half of a nail-biting loss to Tabor. She led the game with 16 points and owned the paint. It was an extremely impressive performance considering Tabor is arguably the most physically imposing team in NEPSAC, so Innocent having her way inside is an encouraging sign going forward. She is aggressive on the glass and near impossible to box out due to her strength. Innocent is a double-double waiting to happen. </span> &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_368414" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/D702576A-AB06-4F1C-9D4B-612623E66D28-crop-1192x783-1640360661.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-368414" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/D702576A-AB06-4F1C-9D4B-612623E66D28-crop-1192x783-1640360661-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Produced4Soul[/caption] <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="356383" first="Marija" last="Marinkovic"] -  Hoosac - 5’7’’ - CG - ’23</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Watching Marinkovic last weekend, she is in the conversation for the best shooter in the class. She is unconscious from downtown and has one of the prettiest shooting strokes you’ll see. I liked her off-ball movement and relocation. Marinkovic is constantly in motion, reads defenders well, runs off screens hard, and is always ready to shoot. </span> &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="184008" first="Shayne" last="Burton"] - Winchendon - 5’8’’ - CG - ’23</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Burton led her team in scoring last Sunday vs. Nobles with 8 points, and I thought she was very good on defense. She has elite athleticism and can get up the floor quickly, allowing her to be an impact defender in transition. Burton gets back into plays better than most, has quick hands in passing lanes, and is also a tremendous shot-blocking guard. </span> &nbsp; <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-368402" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/0ED5A708-7D53-4E7B-9858-ED596A43A0F8-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1640359237-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="280911" first="Ruby" last="Santos"] - Kent - 5’11’’ - SF - ’23</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Santos is a difference-maker on both sides of the ball. Despite being under 6’0’’, Santos still has the length and athleticism to protect the rim and alter shots frequently. Santos can also score in the post and from the outside. Her post moves are strong, she flashes aggressively to the ball, and can score over either shoulder. Santos finished with 15 points vs. Milton Academy and is a double-double threat whenever she steps on the floor.</span> &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="283099" first="Morgan" last="Johnson"] - Kent - 5’5’’ - CG - ’25</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Johnson was one of the most impressive freshmen I saw last weekend mainly because it seemed like every three-pointer she launched went in.  Her 19 points against Milton Academy included 5 triples, and she gained more confidence with each attempt. At 5’5’’, she did not have a problem shooting while contested, either. Johnson made a good first impression on me and is another talented point guard added to the stacked list in the ’25 class.  </span> &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_368398" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/DDC0AF53-92A4-4155-8FFF-E10B8318FE70-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1640358928.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-368398" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/DDC0AF53-92A4-4155-8FFF-E10B8318FE70-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1640358928-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Produced4Soul[/caption] <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="266711" first="Chayil" last="Mauristhene"] - Noble &amp; Greenough - 5’8’’ - CG - ’23</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Mauristhene, once again, proved why she is one of the best defenders in her class with a big-time effort against Loomis Chaffee last weekend. Her anticipation is reminiscent of a free safety in football, and no one intercepts passes the way Mauristhene does. Out of all the Nobles games I have seen this season, I thought she had her most productive offensive day vs. Loomis Chaffee. She was effective in the open court and got 8 points off of aggressive slashing and controlled change of direction and speed. </span> &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_368396" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/4EB2C13A-0EC4-4361-91B0-0C66BD6E6845-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1640358769.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-368396" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/4EB2C13A-0EC4-4361-91B0-0C66BD6E6845-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1640358769-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Produced4Soul[/caption] <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="269262" first="Narissa" last="Smith"] - Rivers - 5’6’’ - CG - ’25</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Smith’s offense has been looking good as of late. She had a big game vs. Bradford Christian Academy finishing with 16 points, and she is blossoming into a very dynamic playmaker in the halfcourt. Whether it be her scoring off the bounce or creating for her teammates, Smith has done so consistently. She has played her way into the top 5 freshman conversation due to her impressive start this winter season.</span>