Top Point Guards of the 6th Region
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Wrapping up this series on the Top Players of the 6th Region we move on, obviously if you have been following the process, to the Point Guards. The floor generals, the ones, the lead guards, the top of the key…
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Continue ReadingWrapping up this series on the Top Players of the 6th Region we move on, obviously if you have been following the process, to the Point Guards. The floor generals, the ones, the lead guards, the top of the key masters (ok, I made that one up based on something from the original “Ghost Busters” movie). As the (cough) gatekeepers of the offensive playbook these coaches on the floor are referred to by nearly as many superlatives as any other position in sports. Without a good one to quarterback your team, it is going to be a rough season. Who are you gonna call if you find yourself in Southwestern Louisville and need a player to run the show? I suggest you start your search with this article.
After a steady summer killing it on the PGH Circuit drawing recognition from Scout after Scout, Ortega is in an ecellent position to succeed during the transition of her school team into a new era of success. The extra spacing available in the lane and the higher tempo her team is likely to play this winter plays into her skillset better than perhaps anyone else on the team. A ballhawk, a creative ballhandler and a player that makes pinpoint passes through the defense like Ortega is best suited for an Offense to uses lots of movement. rnAfter having some rough times transtioning to a new team early in the season, she was able to become one of the the six players in the starting rotation used especialy when the game was going to be up-tempo or a full court press was in the scouting report. Her excellent decision making was crucial in keeping her team on target and not succumbing to defensive pressure.
If you say them play last season, you would not be surprise to see two point guards from this team at the top of this list. rnReid was a fulltime starter, and made a ton of curcial buckets using her left to drive to the hoop along the left side of the lane for layups, shot jumpers and a few running baby-hooks to get her team two points during times when they really needed a bucket. This player more than almost any other was the one who changed the momemtum into her favor when the tides were starting to change for the worse. rnHer speed with the ball when driving downhill is nearly unstoppable. Opponents do what they can but it seems like the best tactic was just to hope she missed after trying to slide you feet proved to be ineffective. Judging on the team record of 33-5, that defense was ineffective multiple times. rnReid will also be unleashed with the return to a running and pressing system of play that the Chargers had been known for previously. I can hardly wait to see her and her excellent teammates take the court to show what else they can do in this next area in a long history of success in Bulitt county.
After averaging 14.4 points a game, making 32% of her three-points and an outstanding 80.6% of her free throws, Murphy returns as a key contributor on a team as loade with talent as any in the state. The entire roster can shoot the ball and lots of that credit has to do with the excellent passing and ball movement on display by players like this. THe excellent use of the inside-out tactics and the adept offensive efficiency falls heavily on the two players you will read about in this article. rnMurphy’s speed with the ball, her excellent footwork and handles make the team a great threat to score in the fastbreak. She is also adept at getting paint touches out of the offense by getting a step on her defender, collapsing the defense and finding one of the many options available on the team an open look. That kind of court vision can be deadly when combined with the athleticism and footwork techniques she puts on display. rnExpect big things from her and her team this winter as they venture into the Commonwealth with eyes on some of the top prizes.
Poole is a had charging Guard that can pull back and stop on a dime when the fastbreak isn’t there and shoot the three or find an open teammate for the deep ball. One of her best skills it the up the street pass over the defense to a streaking teammate running ahead of the defense on the break for a layup. It’s like seeing a option quarterback who has discoverd the defensive back has stumbled presenting the team with a quick strike touchdown opportunity. (I think I might be ready for some football.)rnAnother thing that makes Poole so effective in the break is her weakside defensive rebounding. She averages 7 rebounds a game despite sharing the court with one of the best rebounders in the Commonwealth. Having the ball already in hand rather than trying to gather it from a teammate that needs to find
Smith is a shooter (34% three-pointers and 75.3% free throws) that will make you pay should you think that she is the player you can sag off of to double up against any of the other top players on the team. She put up 10.6 points and grabbed 3.6 rebounds last season using a quick first step to blow past her defneders and excellent shot fakes if the blow by attempt doesn’t pay off. rnAgainst heavy pressure Smith is strong and poised with the ball. A steady hand like her is so crucial to winning games on the highest levels of Kentucky High School Girls Basketball. This skill more than any others Smith has to display is perhaps her best attrbute that powers her teaam to victory. That and her defense prowess in limiting the output of opposing guards and creating a few turnovers make her an invaluable asset for the Jaguars.
Duncan is crucial to the success of her team. When she is on everything flows like it needs to for her unit to get a win. Without her there isn’t enough ballhandling to push her team across the finish line. She has excellent footspeed when running downhills and good lateral quickness. rnDefensively, she gets low and denies penetration keeping the back line of the defense clean. This winter she will have a new target to dump the ball off to when she gets penetration around the rim. Her leadership could be key in determining how far her team can go into the post season.