Top Players in the LIT: SHA vs CAL

Typically, I would never write about only 2 teams or 1 game in one article, but there is so much talent in this single game that I had to make an exception. Two of the top teams in the 7th region, as well as in the state of Kentucky, SHA and CAL both are absolutely loaded with talent, so let’s take a look at that talent. Sacred Heart <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-329900" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/51-Triniti-Ralston-300x242.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="242" /> Pictured is Junior Guard [player_tooltip player_id="164387" first="Triniti" last="Ralston"] For top-ranked Sacred Heart, freshman [player_tooltip player_id="254273" first="ZaKiyah" last="Johnson"] is the player all opponents are locked in on and yet, she still is averaging 17.4 points per game going into this contest. She honestly can play every position on the floor, both on the offensive and defensive ends of the court, so it’s hard for opponents to find a good match-up for her. Johnson is definitely a force, but honestly, SHA has 5 other high level players that have the ability to break down opponents. Along with Johnson, [player_tooltip player_id="164387" first="Triniti" last="Ralston"], [player_tooltip player_id="245899" first="Reagan" last="Bender"], and [player_tooltip player_id="257276" first="Angelina" last="Pelayo"] all scored double figures in Sacred Heart’s opening game of the tournament and they all have elite skill sets. [player_tooltip player_id="164387" first="Triniti" last="Ralston"] doesn’t get discussed as much as she should, but she is quick, has great handles, and can really score the ball. I think people look at the box score and wonder why she isn’t scoring more in some of SHA’s games, but what those people aren’t seeing on that box score is how many plays she’s creating for her teammates. She nearly had a double-double with assists in their last game because she’ll pass up her own shots for a better shot for her teammates. If you’re looking for a point guard, she’s really got all of the skills you would want. [player_tooltip player_id="245899" first="Reagan" last="Bender"] is going to get buckets in every game she’s a part of because she has a scorer’s mentality and can score in a variety of ways. Her shot is elite and you cannot leave her open or give her any space at all. [player_tooltip player_id="257276" first="Angelina" last="Pelayo"] is one of my favorite post players to watch. She can score, makes good passes, plays great defense, and is just a complete player all-around. You have to focus on the players above when you’re playing the Valkyries, but you can’t forget about seniors [player_tooltip player_id="106151" first="Josie" last="Gilvin"] and Alex Wolff. Gilvin is one of the best defenders in the state. She is really the heart and soul of this team. She creates offense off of her defense, makes her teammates better on the defensive end, and really is their energy source. She can score the ball, but she does whatever is needed for her team on any given night so she could score double figures one game and only take 3 total shots the next game. It’s hard for a high schooler to simply do whatever it takes to help her team win, but Gilvin makes it look easy. Alex Wolff is solid on both ends of the floor. She makes great post moves and plays great post defense. If you look over her, you’re going to pay for it. Christian Academy of Louisville <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-329949" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/114-Mariah-Knight-300x237.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="237" /> Pictured is Sophomore Forward [player_tooltip player_id="231487" first="Mariah" last="Knight"] Senior [player_tooltip player_id="106134" first="Jaya" last="McClure"] is the leader for CAL. McClure was the 7th region player of the year last year as a junior and is truly a stat stuffer. She led the Centurions in rebounds and assists in their opening game of the tournament. McClure has the ability to create her own shots, but she loves creating for her teammates even more. She is also one of the best defenders in the state in my opinion. You can see that she wants the challenge of guarding the best player on the opposing team and when she stops them, the energy just flows out of her. [player_tooltip player_id="231485" first="Savannah" last="Gardner"] is impossible to miss when she is on the court. She led CAL in points in their first game of the tournament and is their leading rebounder on the season. She is a HUGE reason why CAL is playing in this game. The sophomore was clutch in their comeback win over Anderson County who is seen as a top 5 team in the state. She has a great outside shot, but also makes great moves inside. You instantly notice how hard she works when she steps on the floor. Another player whose hard work shines when she’s on the floor is senior [player_tooltip player_id="106156" first="Abigail" last="Embry"]. Embry is a high level defender. She also makes great moves and has a really quick first step that can help her get past her defender and to the basket. The guard has shot the ball at a high percentage from 3 all season long and has great length. [player_tooltip player_id="231487" first="Mariah" last="Knight"], [player_tooltip player_id="310830" first="Addison" last="Kincaid"], and [player_tooltip player_id="231486" first="Ella" last="Daniels"] all deserve more recognition than what they get. Knight has only gotten to play in 13 of the Centurions games due to KHSAA transfer rules, but she has made her impact known in those 13 games. Knight is averaging the 2nd most points on her team, but that’s just a small part of her game. Her shot blocking ability is mesmerizing and she is a great defender. She also can make really good passes and doesn’t try to force much. [player_tooltip player_id="310830" first="Addison" last="Kincaid"] is so long and active on the floor. She uses her length to score over defenders and while she makes great moves inside, she also can really stretch her defender and either pull up for a jump shot or drive right around them. On the defensive end, she can also really block shots and she moves her feet better than most players on the inside. [player_tooltip player_id="231486" first="Ella" last="Daniels"] can score from anywhere on the floor - 3s, pull ups, drives, floaters, etc. She’s super athletic and can defend well. She also has the ability to see the floor and make some really good passes. Lastly for the Centurions, we have the young players who don’t play like they are just a freshman and 8th grader when they’re on the floor, [player_tooltip player_id="326295" first="Bailee" last="Duck"] and Ava Moore. [player_tooltip player_id="326295" first="Bailee" last="Duck"] is so quick and really shoots the ball at a high level. Actually, I should probably say scores the ball at a high level because she can shoot it extremely well, but she also scores by getting to the basket and running the floor. In the Centurions opener for the LIT, she scored 9 points in 9 minutes. 8th grader Ava Moore is going to be one to watch for as she grows and continues to get more time for CAL. She is only in middle school, but she certainly doesn’t play like that. She’s got great height and length, and she can do it all. Every time I’ve watched them, she has gotten points, assists, and steals. She may not play much, but you better watch her when she gets out there. The Sacred Heart versus Christian Academy match up should be a good one. Both teams clearly have more talent than most teams in the state would ever dream of, so I look forward to seeing the outcome of this game tonight.