Microupdate: Dinges Domination

Photo: JT Shotz

Bash Hudson

January 19, 2022 @ 06:25 AM

Here is a quick update on players who have been playing at a high level the past couple of weeks.   [caption id="attachment_377670" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/FCDF47D6-CCCB-4B66-85EA-9CFC9419A804-crop-1408x925-1642565324.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-377670" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/FCDF47D6-CCCB-4B66-85EA-9CFC9419A804-crop-1408x925-1642565324-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: JT Shotz[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="269260" first="Ashley" last="Dinges"] - Central Catholic - 6’0’’ - SF - ’24 Dinges has had a monster season so far for Central Catholic, a top 5 team in the MIAA. Against some of the top competition in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Dinges has performed at the highest level and has been unstoppable. She dominated Dracut with 27 points and 19 rebounds, put up a strong fight against Bishop Guertin with 30 points in a loss, and posted 22 points, 11 rebounds in back-to-back wins vs. Methuen and Chelmsford. Behind the efforts of Dinges, along with solid contributions from the rest of a scary Central Catholic roster, I think they can beat any team in the state. Dinges has played her way into the conversation for the top ’24 prospect in the region.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-377671" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/IMG_9996-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1642565399-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="326362" first="Avery" last="Marzo"] - Notre Dame Academy (Worcester) - 5’10’’ - SG - ’23 Marzo has been the definition of a bucket-getter this winter as her prolific scoring has helped Notre Dame Academy get off to a 5-2 start. Marzo has surpassed 20 points in her last 6 games, including a 30-point scoring effort vs. Burncoat. It is difficult to match up against Marzo because of her length, size, and shooting ability. Another element of Marzo’s game I like is how dynamic she is in transition. She is a good ball-handler and maneuvers on the break well, leading to easy points.   [player_tooltip player_id="328971" first="Aydan" last="Gulliver"] - Cranston East - CG - ’23 Gulliver has had a consistent season for Cranston East and routinely hits double figures in scoring. Her biggest game of the winter was a season-high 27 point effort against Coventry. This was a significant game because Cranston East was without starting floor general [player_tooltip player_id="277135" first="Kathy" last="Hernandez"]. Someone needed to step up and provide an extra scoring punch, which Gulliver did. This showed me the kind of player Gulliver is when adversity strikes.   [player_tooltip player_id="376646" first="Madelyn" last="Topa"] - Northwestern Regional 7 - 5’7’’ - SF - ’25 Topa is having an excellent freshman campaign averaging 17 points and 8 rebounds for Northwestern. She has shown the ability to score at all three levels consistently. Topa is an efficient catch-and-shoot three-point shooter, and I like how she utilizes the mid-range for shot creation. I also like how she uses her body strength inside despite not being the tallest wing. Topa sets strong screens, rolls aggressively, and takes advantage of a mismatch with hard seals in the post.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-377673" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/IMG_0049-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1642565618-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="326762" first="Margaret" last="Montplaisir"] - Portsmouth (NH) - 5’9’’ - CG - ’24 Montplaisir is coming off a huge week where she averaged about 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals for Portsmouth. She also shot well from the field, making 57% of shots attempted. Montplaisir’s feel for the game and ability to read the defense is a reason why her numbers are so efficient. She moves well without the ball and is good at relocating behind the three-point arc, always ready to shoot. I also like her aggression when scoring off the dribble. Montplaisir is not trigger shy when coming off screens, and her jumper is fluid.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-377674" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/26742768_Unknown-crop-1112x730-1642565716-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="270726" first="Ava" last="Orlando"] - Notre Dame Academy (Hingham) - 5’4’’ - PG - ’25 Orlando has been insane over the past few games posting huge scoring numbers like it’s nothing. She’s averaging 25 points over the past 3 contests and continues to live up to her top 10 status. It isn’t just Orlando’s scoring that has been impressive but also defensively, she has been locked in. She is one of the best on-ball defenders at her position and has been forcing turnovers game after game.