Joe’s Take: Class AAAA status quo takes hit with Zellous’ choice

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='379527' first='Zaniah' last='Zellous'] just upended the Class AAAA title race.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Single-handily, in fact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With one summer transfer, she shifted the balance of power and set in motion things that probably can't now be undone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mostly, she's put her new team George Washington and herself in a position to make some big noise. We're talking back-to-back title ruckus. Yeah, it's that kind of upending. Maybe she'll fit a player of the year and a few all-state honors in there for good measure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If it all sounds too good to be true, well it isn't. It's fact at this point, and you better believe the Patriots and she can back it up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not just because she really takes her basketball seriously, but especially because of the gifts she possesses. Just look at her intangibles alone, wowee!!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“She is probably the most athletic kid in the state,” W.Va. Thunder head man Scott Johnson said. “She's going to be able to contest anything at the rim, alter any shot, jump over kids and grab any missed shot. She can grab rebounds and put her back in over opponents and she can run the floor, she's going to be the best athlete on the floor 95% of the time.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How's that assessment coming from one of the most influential people in women's basketball? But wait, it gets better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“She's going to cause so many matchup problems I don't even think teams are going to be able to play them man to man. If they put a smaller defender on her she's just going to post them up. They (other teams) are going to have trouble with the kid for sure, she's a walking double-double easily,” Johnson said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That sounds like the perfect addition for any team, right? Right. And once she joins her GW teammates on the court in real game situations, well: Basically, if opposing teams decide to play zone against them, good night. &nbsp;Any hint or sniff of that defense opens up a whole can of problems that teams won't be able to put away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look at it this way: If you leave Zellous with enough room to work, she's going to break down a defense and find the weakness in the zone, no problem.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And even if she doesn't, well there are multiple choices for the Patriots to turn to. Thanks to their returning scorers and experienced players, head coach Jamie LaMaster really can focus all his efforts on the defensive end, the offensive will always come together, no matter who is stopped.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I don't think you really base anything on one player because they all complement each other so well,” Johnson continued. They sure do. [player_tooltip player_id='379495' first='Finley' last='Lohan'], Kierstyn Fore, [player_tooltip player_id='379517' first='Nasiya' last='Smith'], and [player_tooltip player_id='379496' first='Macie' last='Mallory'] all can penetrate and keep the pressure off Zellous with their shooting abilities. If that isn't working, the four of them then can switch to more of an attacking setup and force teams to choose between a contested layup or a Zellous back door layup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It doesn't just stop there, if LaMaster can dream it up, the Patriots will be able to run it. Thanks to their awesome inside/outside presence, anything is possible. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Are they invincible? Not quite and if [player_tooltip player_id='153419' first='Kyra' last='Brown'] had joined them via transfer along with Zellous you may as well pen in the Patriots for the title. And they are just an injury away from calling on a relatively young bench. Regardless, they are going to be a tough out come any game in the MSAC and at the state level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And don't be surprised in seeing Zellous leading the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She's now the best player on the best team in the state and is ready to compete like it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->