Winter Primer: VT D2 Prospects Pt. 1/3
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We’re back at it with another Winter Primer! Check out six hoopers who are poised for big school seasons. Dig in! Cora Nadeau Cora Nadeau 5'9" | SG North Country | 2023 State New E , 5’10 G/F – North…
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Continue ReadingWe’re back at it with another Winter Primer! Check out six hoopers who are poised for big school seasons. Dig in!
Cora Nadeau Cora Nadeau 5'9" | SG North Country | 2023 State New E , 5’10 G/F – North Country High School Class of 2023
Nadeau is the senior leader for her team and for good reason. Calm, cool, and collected, Cora can affect the game in many ways. She’s developing into a consistent three-level scorer as she uses her strong frame well to get post looks and drive for easy twos, her pull-up game in the mid to short-range is strong as ever, and her three ball is there too. Moreover, Cora can match up 2-4, rebound amongst the trees, push the tempo in transition, and get others involved with crispy passes and unselfish off-ball movement. Nadeau, a do-it-all type player is primed for a strong year as she takes the reins in North Country.
Yvonne Roberge Yvonne Roberge 5'6" Spaulding | 2023 New E , 5’7 G – Spaulding Union High School Class of 2023
Roberge and company went down in a close game in last year’s state championship game, and I presume revenge is on her mind. Yvonne is a savvy two-way guard who leaves it all on the floor. She’s apt to pick ballhandlers up in the backcourt and make life tough on them with pressure defense, moving her feet well and forcing them into corners or into the teeth of the defense. Furthermore, Yvonne is in the driver’s seat of Spaulding’s offense. She’s a playmaker and a threat at all three levels, getting inside the second layer with quickness and a tight handle. I’ll be keeping an eye on Yvonne’s portfolio this winter.
Sage Mccauley, 5’6 G – Spaulding Union High School Class of 2023
Every team needs that gritty player who’s not afraid to lay it all out there, and Sage does just that. Mccauley is a tough defender who slides her feet and uses her physicality well when guarding the ball. Sage is also adept at sliding into help positions and disrupting slashers while also keeping her hands active to deflect potential kick outs. On the offensive end, Mccauley drives hard to the hoop and finishes well around the rim. Moreover, she gets a lot of looks due of her hustle in transition. Sage will be an integral piece for Spaulding in the backcourt.
Maia Jensen, 5’8 G – Mt. Abraham Union High School Class of 2023
Maia and company will be defending an incredible finals run last year as a six seed and Jensen was absolutely brilliant throughout it. Maia is a crafty scorer and playmaker who can hurt a defense inside and out. She sees cuts before they happen and is adept at threading passes through to teammates for easy looks. Furthermore, Maia can create and knockdown looks of her own at all three levels; it’s a pick your poison situation for defenses. Speaking of defense, Maia is often at the head of the zone press, herding ballhandlers slyly into traps and anticipating passes for easy steals and buckets. I’m looking forward to seeing more of Maia come winter.
Brittany Love, 5’5 G – Fair Haven Union High School Class of 2023
Quick, athletic, and with impressive bounce; Brittany Love is like a rabbit. She’s a strong ballhandler and relentlessly attacks gaps, constantly probing to take advantage of lapses in the defense. Love can slip into the second layer of defense with ease and is likely to make plays for others, setting up shooters with clean kick outs or dumping passes to forwards at the defense rotates. Moreover, she loves to push the ball and transition and make the defense pay for any lack of hustle. Brittany defends well with quick feet, active hands, and the ability to stick with most guards. She’s a fun watch.
Gracie Martin, 5’9 G/W – Spaulding Union High School Class of 2024
Martin is someone who makes a lot of plays that don’t show up in the box score. She tracks down 50/50 balls well, rotates quickly into help position, and is a consistent communicator on the floor. Offensively, she can really grease the wheels. Gracie is a heady cutter, finding holes to exploit constantly, whether that’s straight to the hoop, around the mid to high post, short corner, doesn’t matter. Martin displays confidence and comfort all over the floor. Defensively, Gracie is scrappy and wise. She intentionally filters players into help, or she’ll force them to their weak hand, sitting on crossovers and taking away air space. Martin’s hoop IQ is potent.