Northside Media Day 2022

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had the opportunity to attend the Northside Media Day, broadcasted by SUVtv yesterday. Galloway, Pace Academy, Holy Innocents', and Mt. Bethel were all in attendance for the event hosted at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School. Huge thanks to the coaches for fielding a few questions and to Pace Academy's Boys' Head Coach, Sharman White, for the invitation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at the teams in attendance and some of the players that will be expected to carry the load this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Galloway</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":531811,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","className":"is-style-default"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-style-default"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/10/Galloway-Team-crop-1798x1181-1666384586.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-531811"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach Keisha Brown is headed into this season with high expectations. The Scots have reached the GHSA Final 4 in each of the last two seasons. Listening to both Coach Brown and the players representing the players, it is clear that everyone is on the same page. Details and positive energy through adversity will be what they lean into this season. Will it be enough to make another step forward as a program and reach the state title game? Only time will tell, but the pieces are in place to do so. Elevating the mental toughness of the team to match the talent is a task that Coach Brown is fully immersed in this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6352de5aea8d5","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["252750"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Fields, is a hardnosed guard that shows up on both ends of the floor. She has a balanced game on offense with the ability to shoot from deep deep and finish at the rim. Leading on the court is a focus for her this year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["253952"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Hoffman is known by opposing teams as the shooter. She is a dangerous three-point specialist with range on her shot. She is not just limited to the deep ball. She can put the ball on the floor to attack aggressive closeouts forcing players to respect both her shooting and drives.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["196119"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Kyla is coming off a very productive travel season. A reliable player on both ends of the floor she drew eyes from several D1 programs. The scots will rely on her toughness from both the inside and the perimeter in spurts. She has narrowed things down for her recruitment and there is an anticipation that she'll be making a decision in the very near future.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["218690"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":531929,"_player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Tianna's stock has continued to rise during the course of two successful seasons at Galloway. She has the length and skill at the PG position that make her a top target for high-major programs. With contributions on the court already in high demand, the focus this season will be on refining her reads. Already a good playmaker, she will look to improve even more in hopes of grabbing a state championship.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pace Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":531804,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/10/Pace-Team-1-crop-2016x1324-1666384514.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-531804"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach Christal Caldwell heads into her second season with Pace Academy after a successful year one resulted in an increased win total and just one win shy of a Region Championship. Caldwell will look to replace the points of her two leading scorers and leading rebounder, both of which graduated this past season. Coach Caldwell made it clear that she expected the void to be filled by a collective core this season. She has her eyes set on the start of the season so that she can get to work in year two with this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Holy Innocents'</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":531775,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/10/Holy-Innocents-Team-crop-1921x1262-1666383901.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-531775"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Northside Media Day host, Holy Innocents' has a decorated girls' basketball program. A consistent powerhouse in the state of Georgia, many players from previous rosters have gone on to play college basketball and we'll see this trend continue at the end of this season. Head Coach Nichole Dixon has become a mainstay in the GHSA State Playoffs. The Bears have seen a lot of talented players come through the program and it has resulted in a ton of Region and State Championship trophies. This year the expectation is the same as always, add to the collection. I had a chance to ask Coach Dixon about the task of balancing individual goals and team goals when there are multiple Power 5 players on the roster she made it clear that the focus is always on the team. She explained that a large part of her program's success is playing with one another. When that is happening the individual accolades are sure to come organically.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6352f0f9ea8da","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["154592"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Olivia is entering her final season of HS basketball. The do it all wing is committed to Princeton where she will continue in a program that has had recent success on the court and a prestigious academic history. Her leadership and experience will be needed if Holy Innocent's is going to make back to the title game. I expect Hutcherson will bring even more fight and determination this season as she looks to go out with a bang.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["258951"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Zaynah is a quick guard he loves to use her speed to set up players for her stride stop into jumpers extremely well. She is a player that could see her recruitment pick up. Playing along side Hutcherson and [player_tooltip player_id='285197' first='Hailee' last='Swain'] really has it's advantages and she capitalizes on them often. She is often guarded by the opposing teams second best defender but that many times is not enough to slow her down. with the schedule that Coach Dixon has put together, she will have several opportunities to make impressions on college coaches.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Reese Neumann","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Holy Innocents'","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Reese is also a senior hoping to add another championship to her resume. A Bear since 6th grade, Reese knows exactly what Coach Dixon expects. She will be another asset in the program and example of energy and effort for the younger players joining the team this year.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mt. Bethel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":531802,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/10/Mt.-Bethel-Team-1-crop-2016x1324-1666384447.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-531802"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A familiar name and face in boys' basketball, Head Coach Keith Agran heads into his first season at Mt. Bethel after accepting the position this past summer. The energy and excitement could be heard in his voice while talking about his expectations this season. It will be a year spent setting the foundation for a successful program. When asked about building a winning culture for the girls' basketball team, Coach Agran did not waste time making it clear that winning is a contagious lifestyle. He pointed to the success of other athletic programs at his school and feels that the culture of winning throughout the school adds an extra level of accountability for the players. An emphasis to build the confidence of his players will be a major key as well. He wants his players to understand they have the space to make mistakes as long as they are continuing to progress as they build.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am looking forward to seeing both Pace Academy and Mt. Bethel for the first time, this season to get a look at the players that attended media day. Best of luck and health to all programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keydrick Barlow (@CoachKBarlow) joined the Prep Girls Hoops team as the Senior Contributor for Georgia in 2019. Since the first day, Keydrick's commitment to providing exposure for girls basketball has been apparent. A native of Atlanta, GA, Keydrick has served as Associate Editor and Regional Event Director for Prep Girls Hoops and PGH Circuit and is now a covering in both Georgia and Alabama.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->