Team Firstep '23 - part 2 | Prep Girls Hoops

After a strong season playing on the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit, Team Firstep finished up in the semifinals of the Gold Division of the Victory Region Finals before falling to eventual the Champion, Wolverinas. If the bracket had been drawn differently they might have made the finals because their team defense was great all weekend. [player_tooltip player_id="413864" first="Mattie" last="Clanton"] - 5’4" G - Meade County ’23 I have seen few better on-ball defenders as good as Clanton. I almost feel sorry for whoever she is guarding when I spectate a game because I know it means that players’ performance will suffer. She shuts down penetration, harasses her opponent, and depending on the scouting report can either deny her opponent the ball or help off of her to create steals and turnovers. Clanton forced a 5-second closely guarded violation for a turnover (which can take almost 15 seconds of defense to achieve if you understand the rule completely), forced a couple of 10-second backcourt violations, turned mid-court steals into layups and in a game I witnessed a few weeks ago she was defending the dribbler so close it looked like some of choreographed partners dance she was so close. Clanton is a very good passer that finds her teammates in all phases of the game, has the skills to penetrate for points and assists, and will shoot the ball from a few extra feet deep behind the three-point line with no hesitation. Her offensive game is complete. But let us be clear, the reason any Coach should want her on the team is for her defense. There are not many that can lay it on this thick. Katie Durbin - 5’10" F - Meade County ’23 Durbin made the biggest impression on me this past weekend with the way she has upped her game. She blocks a few shots in the halfcourt and transition defense, ran the floor to score, and made an impact rolling to the hoop in the Pick and Roll. She can shoot the ball, post up and make the tough catch and finish when cutting in the lane. Paris Parker - 5’4" G - John Hardin ’23 Parker is a scrappy Guard that can strip the ball digging down on the post or against a dribbling opponent on the break. She is a steady ballhandler, a great passer, and a good on-ball defender at denying penetration. She has a quiet demeanor from what I have seen and perhaps defers to her teammates more often than she looks for her own shot. [player_tooltip player_id="329466" first="Brooklyn" last="Cann"] - 5’7" G - Elizabethtown ’23 Ashlyn Cann - 5’7" G - Elizabethtown ’23 I hate to do this to twins but the Cann sisters have such similar games that I would just be repeating myself when talking about whoever was second in the article. I used the order their information was listed on a sheet of paper filled out by a teammate in case you were wondering. The sisters are both wing and corner shooters that run the floor on the break looking for the transition three when moving without the ball and take it to the hole when in possession. They are good on-ball defenders at denying penetration, can catch and shoot from long and medium-range, and handle the ball if called upon to do so.

After a strong season playing on the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit, Team Firstep finished up in the semifinals of the Gold Division of the Victory Region Finals before falling to eventual the Champion, Wolverinas. If the bracket had been drawn differently they might have made the finals because their team defense was great all weekend.

Mattie Clanton Mattie Clanton 5'4" | PG Meade County | 2023 State KY - 5’4" G - Meade County ’23

I have seen few better on-ball defenders as good as Clanton. I almost feel sorry for whoever she is guarding when I spectate a game because I know it means that players’ performance will suffer. She shuts down penetration, harasses her opponent, and depending on the scouting report can either deny her opponent the ball or help off of her to create steals and turnovers.

Clanton forced a 5-second closely guarded violation for a turnover (which can take almost 15 seconds of defense to achieve if you understand the rule completely), forced a couple of 10-second backcourt violations, turned mid-court steals into layups and in a game I witnessed a few weeks ago she was defending the dribbler so close it looked like some of choreographed partners dance she was so close.

Clanton is a very good passer that finds her teammates in all phases of the game, has the skills to penetrate for points and assists, and will shoot the ball from a few extra feet deep behind the three-point line with no hesitation. Her offensive game is complete. But let us be clear, the reason any Coach should want her on the team is for her defense. There are not many that can lay it on this thick.

Katie Durbin - 5’10" F - Meade County ’23

Durbin made the biggest impression on me this past weekend with the way she has upped her game. She blocks a few shots in the halfcourt and transition defense, ran the floor to score, and made an impact rolling to the hoop in the Pick and Roll. She can shoot the ball, post up and make the tough catch and finish when cutting in the lane.

Paris Parker - 5’4" G - John Hardin ’23

Parker is a scrappy Guard that can strip the ball digging down on the post or against a dribbling opponent on the break. She is a steady ballhandler, a great passer, and a good on-ball defender at denying penetration. She has a quiet demeanor from what I have seen and perhaps defers to her teammates more often than she looks for her own shot.

Brooklyn Cann Brooklyn Cann 5'6" | SG Elizabethtown | 2023 State KY - 5’7" G - Elizabethtown ’23

Ashlyn Cann - 5’7" G - Elizabethtown ’23

I hate to do this to twins but the Cann sisters have such similar games that I would just be repeating myself when talking about whoever was second in the article. I used the order their information was listed on a sheet of paper filled out by a teammate in case you were wondering.

The sisters are both wing and corner shooters that run the floor on the break looking for the transition three when moving without the ball and take it to the hole when in possession. They are good on-ball defenders at denying penetration, can catch and shoot from long and medium-range, and handle the ball if called upon to do so.