January Update: Players that Add Value to their Team

Every basketball team needs players that add some type of value. They don’t have to be the best player on their team, but they add something that can help propel the team forward and be successful. This article discusses some players that have added value to their respective team with their play. Layla Stroud | Forward | 2022 | Pottsville High School Layla is a good athlete that runs the floor well. In the half-court, she moves well without the ball. This is valuable because the defense can’t rest and has to always know where she is. She sets solid on ball screens and rolls hard to the rim. She might not get the pass every time but she goes hard enough where the defense has to be accountable for her. Defensively she also applies good on-ball pressure. Reese Shirey | Guard | 2024 | Farmington High School Reese is a guard that has to be accounted for when on the floor. She can fill it up from the perimeter behind the three-point line. This is valuable because her shooting ability keeps defenders attached and they are less likely to help. If she gets out in transition she can finish with either hand. She is also a solid defensive player that does well playing the passing lanes. Lily Stitt | PG | 2022 | Rogers Heritage High School Lily is a solid point guard. She runs the team well and keeps the team organized on offense and defense. She doesn’t try to do too much on offense which leads to good decision-making. She makes plays for her teammates, but if you leave her open she can knock down the open catch and shoot three-pointer. Her point guard skills are valuable because they keep the team calm and poised down the stretch when the game is on the line. Ashley Hopper | Post | 2022 | Little Rock Christian Academy Ashley does a good job of running the floor from defense to offense. This is valuable because it keeps pressure on the defense to protect the paint. By doing this Ashley is drawing the attention of the defense and getting her teammates open on the break. She does a good job sealing the defender on the post up and can finish with either hand through contact. Jada Page | PG | 2023 | Parkview High School Jada is as tough as nails on the basketball court. She brings energy and effort that is unmatched. When on offense she loves to put pressure on the defense with her attacking mentality. Defensively she is going to get after you. She going to pressure the ball and force you to do things you are not comfortable doing. Her defense is valuable because it sets the tone. By keeping the other point guard out of the lane it limits the opponents’ playmaking opportunities. Hunter Gibson | Combo Guard | 2022 | Valley View High School Hunter did a good job of securing the defensive rebound and then pushing the ball in transition. She can shoot the mid-range or short jumper in transition. In the half-court, she’s effective off the catch with the ability to shoot the jumper off the 1 or 2 dribble pull-up. You have to find her and communicate when she comes off screens because she’s a threat from the three-point line. Hunter provides value to her team because she’s a threat in so many ways and attacks so much attention it often leads to her teammates having opportunities to make plays. Ava Knoedl Ava Knoedl 5'7" | PG Central Arkansas Christian | 2022 State AR | Combo Guard | 2022 | Central Arkansas Christian If you play against Ava be ready to play defense because she is going to be aggressive all game long. She’ll attack off the dribble, spot up for the three, push it in transition, and run the lane. When attacking off the dribble she’s good at changing direction to create space vs pressure and can finish in a number of ways in the lane. This is valuable because someone of her skill level will be focus of her opponents and being able to handle pressure will allow her to make plays.