North Meck Invitational: Senior Spotlight

North Meck hosted their annual invitational last month where some of the top high school teams in the area could compete against one another. Let’s take a look at the rising seniors who are gearing up for big seasons. [player_tooltip player_id="254584" first="Kirsten" last="Lewis-Williams"] (Lake Norman) shows that she can do it all even having a nice block in transition against a taller opponent. She gets to the middle of the paint for jump shots with ease. She is persistent when it comes to grabbing rebounds, too, especially extending offensive possessions for her team. She isn’t shy about diving on the floor going after loose balls leaving it all out on the court every chance she gets. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/Mia-Xerras-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1657062784.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-455729 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/Mia-Xerras-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1657062784-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="116914" first="Mia" last="Xerras"] (Myers Park) knows how to put the ball through the hoop. She is automatic when it comes to shooting from behind the arc, and she makes two points with her floaters in the paint. Opponents pray she doesn’t get hot, especially after seeing her hit five three pointers in a single game against some tough defenders. She grabs rebounds on the offensive side of the ball immediately losing her defender to put the shot back up. She breaks ankles with her ball moves, too, getting to the hoop or finding her open teammate. [player_tooltip player_id="385147" first="Ariana" last="Perry"] (Cox Mill, featured photo) is going to have a strong senior season. She sells her fakes so well against defenders making it easy for her to get around them whether she uses crossovers or hesitation moves. She crashes the boards going hard on both ends making sure she can get some second chance points or end the possession for her opponents. As a defender, she did well tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best player. She elevates over her opponents with ease whether she is making a jump shot or grabbing a rebound. [player_tooltip player_id="201848" first="Reagan" last="Iovino"] (Cuthbertson) is back like she never left. She has a nice stroke from deep, and she can handle the ball against any kind of competition. She does well keeping her eyes peeled up the court to get her teammates the ball when they are filling in the lanes in transition, and she stays ready to shoot her shot no matter if she is taking it off the dribble or from a pass. She isn’t shy about crashing the boards for rebounds either. <img class="size-medium wp-image-455733 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/Anastasia-Sinclair-1-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" />[player_tooltip player_id="253889" first="Anastasia" last="Sinclair"] (South Meck) continues to show why she is an efficient ball handler being able to get out of double team defenses. She swerves in and out of defenders getting to the basket. She seems to be consistently fouled, so she is a sure bet from the free throw line. [player_tooltip player_id="297180" first="Betsey" last="Burnett"] (South Meck) seems to be fitting in nicely with her new school helping handle the ball and knocking down her shots from deep. She drives hard to the basket not letting anyone stop her in the paint showing off some nice floaters up and over her opponents. She’s a strong defender, too, stripping the ball away from her opponents. [player_tooltip player_id="116913" first="Kyla" last="Bryant"] (Salisbury) continues to impress with her handles, especially at the top of the key. She can create her own space and get open for her shot from deep, or she can take it all the way to the basket. Her court vision has been exceptional for years knowing exactly where to move with the ball or find her open teammates. Her smooth finishes and adjustments at the rim make her a great scorer. <img class="size-medium wp-image-455734 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/Alyssa-Lewis-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" />[player_tooltip player_id="253285" first="Alyssa" last="Lewis"] (Hickory Ridge) started off the game with two big steals jumping right in front of her opponents to gain the possession. She pushes it up the court already moving at college speed with her passes. She is sure to make some deep shots no matter whose hand is in her face, and she has a finesse with the ball getting around her defenders with ease. Lauren Brady (Ardrey Kell) was doing well in the paint making strong moves to the basket and grabbing rebounds easily. She does her work without the ball sealing off her opponent making it easier for her to score her points off of a pass. Her vision of the court from her position was an asset to her teammates.