Burlington v. Reading: The Jack Slinging Slasher

Bash Hudson

January 5, 2022 @ 11:32 AM

I kicked off the 2022 calendar year with a Middlesex League matchup between Burlington and Reading. The game ended in a 53-39 Reading victory featuring one of the most electric scoring performances I have seen live this winter. Below are Tuesday night’s standouts.   Player of the Game: <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/02E64245-65F2-4B0F-A6F6-D8D37CAFB146-scaled-crop-1852x1216-1641402027.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-372464" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/02E64245-65F2-4B0F-A6F6-D8D37CAFB146-scaled-crop-1852x1216-1641402027-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="287158" first="Jackie" last="Malley"] - Reading - 5’7’’ - SG - ’22 Malley was magnificent on Tuesday night and had one of the most impressive offensive performances I have seen all season. She scored all of her teams’ 12 first-quarter points, 24 of Reading’s 28 first-half points, and ended the game with 35 points, including 7 three-pointers. Off the top of my head, I don’t think there is a more dangerous left-handed shooter in the region than Malley. Between the quick release, shooting confidence, and unlimited range, it makes Malley a colossal headache to defend for an entire 32-minute span.   Reading Standout: [player_tooltip player_id="372477" first="Molly" last="Trahan"] - 5’9’’ - SG/SF - ’25 Trahan was impressive against Burlington and got more confident offensively as the game progressed. She finished second on the team with 14 points and showed her range with 2 three-pointers. This was my first time watching Trahan play, and I thought for a freshman, she looked comfortable, especially when it came to asserting herself on offense.   Burlington Standouts: <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-372472" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/1B4DBA72-F3E6-497E-AE63-452111A45744-scaled-crop-1660x1090-1641402699-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="267163" first="Alyvia" last="Peña"] - 5’7’’ - PG - ’23 Peña scored 15 points, all from behind the arc. She started the game on fire, hitting 3 of her threes in the first quarter. Peña is an excellent shot-maker while contested, and the degree of difficulty of her conversions was high. I was also impressed with Peña’s court vision and passing. She is one of the more gifted passers I have seen this winter. Her accuracy and touch on each pass was jaw-dropping, especially in the open court. She is easily the best outlet passer in her class. There is not another player I take over Peña to inbound the ball or ignite the fast break because you can guarantee she will deliver a strong, on target pass every time.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-372473" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/26742112_Unknown-crop-1192x783-1641402768-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="287162" first="Savannah" last="Scali"] - 5’5’’ - CG - ’25 Scali vastly improved her stock after her performance on Tuesday night. She had 15 points and was aggressive on offense throughout the whole game. She had her jump shot going and was a major factor in transition, where she scored many of her points. Scali is a high motor athlete who gave Burlington good energy on defense and kept possessions alive by sneaking in a couple of offensive boards, leading to second-chance points for her team.