Hoosac v. Rivers: The Rich Get Richard

Photo: Produced4Soul

Bash Hudson

January 11, 2022 @ 01:03 PM

We kicked off the week with a NEPSAC AA matchup between Hoosac and Rivers. Rivers was in control the whole game and won 57-42. Team defense was the key to victory for Rivers as they held a talented Hoosac team to 14 first-half points. Below are the standouts from the game.   Player of the Game: <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-374746" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/AD807E87-CD31-4586-BBF0-FF9EF06CDF1B-scaled-crop-1706x1121-1641927475-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="269249" first="Payton" last="Richard"] - Rivers - 5’10 - SG - ’24 Richard was dynamic on both sides of the ball and her versatility shined in Monday night’s victory. She does a little bit of everything for Rivers and has the length and IQ to be a factor on the perimeter and down low. Richard scored from the outside and around the hoop, ran the floor, and rebounded well. I was most impressed with her defense and how she can consistently guard every position on the floor. Monday night was the best all-around performance I have seen Richard play. She also tied the game-high for points with 13.   Rivers Standout: <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-374743" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/C25021D4-1786-46D3-AD81-0DD3108CB07E-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1641927379-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="183924" first="Nina" last="Minicozzi"] - 5’8’’ - CG - ’23 Minicozzi had a great night facilitating the Rivers’ offense. She finished with 13 points, controlled the game’s tempo throughout, and made sure Hoosac could not gain momentum in the early stages of the contest. Minicozzi asserted herself on offense in the 1st quarter with a couple of three-pointers and aggressive drives that opened up shots for the Rivers’ shooters. To no one’s surprise, Minicozzi was also a force on the offensive glass and relentlessly crashed after every Rivers’ shot attempt.   Hoosac Standouts: <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-374741" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/51015DF2-4C5F-47AF-89A3-E558457E44FC-scaled-crop-1706x1121-1641927267-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="368408" first="Ciany" last="Conyers"] - 5’7’’ - PG - ’23 Conyers led Hoosac in scoring with 13 points and continues to show her full scoring arsenal this winter. She had another impressive performance showcasing her slashing ability and allusiveness. Conyers’s combination of body control and footwork led to a couple of tough baskets at the rim in traffic. Conyers shot was smooth and fluid off the dribble and made the defense pay for lazy closeouts by ripping the net on long-range jumpers.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-374739" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/DF7E8D99-1F51-4EAD-ABDF-DE91930B1A21-scaled-crop-1706x1121-1641927210-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="368403" first="Jovana" last="Lucic"] - 5’7’’ - CG - ’22 Lucic stood out more than most of the players on both teams because of her level of energy and intensity. The effort Lucic gives on defense possession after possession is unmatched, and she consistently communicates on that end, too. Lucic is also a very skilled offensive player. She finished with 4 points; however,one of her field goals was a smooth, one dribble, mid-range pull-up that was set up with a hard jab. I like the totality of Lucic’s game; she is a ’22 flying way under the radar.