Sunday Standouts – Week 2
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A historic victory after a fantastic individual performance and two team-mates trying to carry their team through a rough patch of games without their only Senior team-mate were the best performances I witnessed this week in Kentucky High School Girls…
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Continue ReadingA historic victory after a fantastic individual performance and two team-mates trying to carry their team through a rough patch of games without their only Senior team-mate were the best performances I witnessed this week in Kentucky High School Girls Basketball.
More to follow in the positional breakdowns series of the week on the other games I was able to attend in a week shortened by some real-life obligations I had to deal with over this weekend. I promise I will devote the rest of the season to Girls Basketball as if my life depended on seeing every possible player in the Commonwealth stopping just short of situations that might actually kill me.
Ellie Heid Ellie Heid 5'6" | CG Portland Christian | 2023 State KY – ’23 5’3″/CG – Portland Christian
At one moment during a drive to the basket, Heid was fouled and temporarily assume the position of “The Logo” Jerry West (the player silhouette used as the NBA logo), which was fitting in a game where she scored 24 points, on 3 of 6 shooting 50% from three-point range, made 4 assists, grabbed 10 critical rebounds (at 5’3″), and put the game on ice with impressive ballhandling with either hand, heady play, and 7 of 9 free-throw shooting of which she made 5 of 6 down the stretch. Her trot to the free-throw line exuded the confidence of a player that knows she is going to make them.
At every instance, it was Heid who either made the play or was involved in the play that kept her team in the game until they could pull ahead. She took over the game late in the 3rd Quarter making a runner, two threes and forcing a few fouls that helped set up the bonus situation she took great advantage of during the endgame to give her team a 2-point lead to enter the final quarter. She made the assist for the corner three that served as the back-breaker in the final minutes of the game
Once again she displayed the impressive scoring package that makes her so difficult to contain. This is a player that can drive past defenders in multiple ways, using a low center of gravity or contact to find space for herself or to find teammates for open shots after their defenders have collapsed to help against her. She can shoot the three if left open or she can free herself up with a step-back move off the dribble to if being chased off the line can attack any area of the court pull-up jumper, the floater, the teardrop, or an array of different layups.
More than this being an outstanding personal performance for Heid, who is averaging 21 points/per game, this was a historic 55-51 victory for the Portland Christian program as it was the 1st win the Eagles have ever had over this particular District rival. I couldn’t find out how many basketball games the teams have played against each other but, Portland Christian opened in 1924 and the other school is celebrating its 190th birthday this year.
Ella Koralia – ’23 5’10″/SG – Ballard
Koralia plays Point Guard for the Bruins but is likely a Shooting Guard on the next level. This is a player that should be ranked on our site but I suspect that she isn’t due to being homeschooled last season. I suppose that makes her a transfer and gives our staff a valid excuse for not knowing her until now.
She made 62.5% of her three-point attempts (5 of 8), scored on 75% of her other shots (3 of 4), and 2 for 2 free throws on her way to scoring 23 points in a losing effort. She shoots the ball deep from every spot around the perimeter and could probably be even more prolific if there was someone else able to distribute the ball in games. (Ballard’s other starting Guard is currently out due to injury.)
Samari Taylor Samari Taylor 6'3" | C Ballard | 2023 State KY – ’23 6’2″/PF – Ballard
If Taylor had been able to score 1 more point and grab 1 more rebound on the season she would be averaging 18 points and 9 rebounds per game. She has recorded three double-doubles so far in six games and denying her the ball and access to the boards was clearly an important aspect of her opponents’ strategy. Still, she tallied 14 points, 6 rebounds, and blocked at least 2 shots, and made 2 assists (according to my notes).
Her length and leaping ability make her undeniable as a rebounder. She can soar so high to gather the basketball at an elevation that puts her in a class by herself in this game. When she gets deep in the paint there isn’t much that can be done to stop her from scoring once she has made the catch. She has an excellent short to mid-range jumper and a reliable power move over her shoulder that she can turn to in the paint.