Wolves in the Woods: LWA Preview
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Lone Wolf Athletics has long been the premier AAU organization in Vermont and there’s no doubt they’re still at it. They brought playoff energy to practice (really) with highly competitive drills, shootouts and scrimmages. The love for the game and comradery…
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Continue ReadingLone Wolf Athletics has long been the premier AAU organization in Vermont and there’s no doubt they’re still at it. They brought playoff energy to practice (really) with highly competitive drills, shootouts and scrimmages. The love for the game and comradery runs deep with this crew of ’22s – ’24s. Check out who’s putting in the work before they pull up at Crusader Jamfest this weekend.
Sakoya Sweeney Sakoya Sweeney 5'6" | CG Lake Region | 2023 State New E 5’7 G, Class of ’23
Sweeney is strong guard capable of knocking down looks at all three levels. Her handle is tight, and she’s got good vision against the press and in the half court which allows her to snap quick passes for good looks before the defense is settled or set up the offense to get the in rhythm. Sakoya’s on-ball defense is solid and she’s sharpening her instincts and timing on help defense rotations. Sweeney is an old school point guard who’s intentional about getting everyone involved offensively.
Ruby Dasaro 5’6 G, Class of ’23
Dasaro is a springy, quick guard who’s adept at getting in the lane. She changes direction incredibly well and can get downhill in a hurry, leading to great looks at the rim or easy dishes to the big. Ruby’s quickness and athleticism translates on the other side of the ball too, as she hounds ballhandlers with her long arms and ability to stay in front. Dasaro is poised to take her next step through the Spring/Summer.
Addison Hunter Addison Hunter 6'0" | PF Champlain Valley | 2023 State New E 6’ F, Class of ’23
Addi is one of those players who can have a quiet double-double any given day. How? Well, Hunter is a hawk on the boards due to great anticipation on the glass and uses her frame and strength well to get up second chance looks. She’s extending her range out to three, and she’s got the mid-range locked in; if she becomes a consistent threat at all three levels defenses will have a problem on their hands. I really enjoy Hunter’s game, she’s got a great feel for hoop.
Shelby Companion – 5’8 G, Class of ’23
Companion had the energy boosted all the way up as she cheered on teammates and communicated well on the defensive end of the floor. Shelby’s strength, quickness, and anticipation make her an intensive on-ball defender, and her help defense communication condenses the spacing for offenses. Companion is a tough combo guard who can step in at the 1 or the 2 any given night; with her vision and handle she can dictate the offense, drop assists from anywhere on the floor and slice up the defense with her dribble drive.
Nicole Norton – 5’9 G, Class of ’24
Norton can cause problems defensively with her length alone. Her long frame allows her to disrupt passing lanes, bother ballhandlers, and contest nearly any shot. Her handle is increasingly crisp, and in time she’ll likely evolve into a combo guard who could play the one or the two. However, Nicole seems naturally comfortable on the wing where she can attack the rim with her strong lay-up package or kick for the open three. Norton plays hard on both ends, making her a strong two-way player.
Samara Ashooh – 6’ F, Class of ’24
Samara’s game is evolving as we speak. She’s sighting in the mid-range and the three ball, and with her swift passes, she keeps the rock moving and defenders guessing. Against a press, she’s great at flashing middle and finding guards streaking up the weakside. Calm, cool and collected, Ashooh is a cornerstone big for Lone Wolf; she anchors the paint with her length by discouraging guards and forwards alike from attacking the rim, rebounds well, and can run her lanes well in transition.
Kelli Cieplicki Kelli Cieplicki 5'9" | SG Rice Memorial | 2024 State New E – 5’9 G/F, Class of ’24
Kelli is a natural hooper, hands down. All of her skills, from nuanced ones like the timing of cuts and handling the ball in transition, to obvious skills like scoring and defending, are elite for her age. Cieplicki has incredible basketball instincts, as she rarely forces shots, rotates well off-ball on defense, and fills lanes seamlessly on the fastbreak. Kelli can play bigger than her frame suggests too because she boxes out well and does her work early on defense. Cieplicki’s got a lot of game and can surprise people with her numbers because she does her work quietly and humbly.