High Five: Preseason First Team All-802
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Check out the first five I’m taking out of the 802 if we’re going toe-to-toe with the Monstars; get to know some of the 802’s top talent! Elyse Macdonough, 5’8 G – Rice Memorial High School Class of 2024 GPOY…
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Continue ReadingCheck out the first five I’m taking out of the 802 if we’re going toe-to-toe with the Monstars; get to know some of the 802’s top talent!
Elyse Macdonough, 5’8 G – Rice Memorial High School Class of 2024
GPOY last year as a sophomore and an absolute competitor, Elyse is tough as nails. MacDonough is surgical on the offensive end, balancing her scoring ability with crisp ball movement and heads up assists. She’s someone who scores at all three-levels efficiently and it’s in large part to her unselfishness; Elyse can break a defense down almost independently but rarely forces anything, so if defenses collapse she’s quick to dish but if they send single coverage she’s likely to take advantage. On the defensive end, MacDonough maintains that same competitive fire, playing tough defense with nice footwork, physicality, and enough pressure to take handlers out of their comfort zone without giving up lanes for free. Off the ball Elyse makes heads up rotations, communicates often with teammates, and does her job on the boards. MacDonough is an all-around two-way player with the work ethic to take her game to the next level.
Shelby Companion Shelby Companion 5'6" | CG CVU | 2023 State New E , 5’8 G – Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2023
A downright competitor on both sides of the ball, Shelby is pesky defensively and a heads-up facilitator on the offensive end. Companion usually heads the press for CVU, where she picks up ballhandlers and applies pressure, forcing them into corners and traps by dictating their movement with great agility, wise body mechanics, and active hands. Off the ball in the halfcourt, Shelby plays nice help position and her anticipation paired with her quickness provide her the ability to jump passing lanes for deflections and steals, turning defense into offense. Shelby thrives in transition, using her strength and tight handle to finish through contact. Even more impressive is her vision; Companion has a keen sense of how passing windows will develop, seeing plays before they happen and hitting teammates with crafty passes and the occasional no-look to throw defenders off. A two-way talent with the ability to control the tempo of the game, Shelby is a premier guard in the 802.
Kelli Cieplicki, 5’9 G/W – Rice Memorial High School Class of 2024
Kelli is a tough cover as a natural 2 or 3 with her intuitive off-ball movement and shot making. Cieplicki is an advantageous cutter, slipping in for back cuts and face cuts on defensive overplays, finishing at a high clip around the rim and short to mid-range. Moreover, her catch-and-shoot is knockdown all over the floor. She can also create looks herself too, slashing well and creating space with her body, opening up finishes at the rim or pulling up for clean jumpers in the mid-range. In addition, Kelli is a wise passer, seeing cuts and passing lanes well in advance and setting teammates up with on target passes. Her transition game is all there too, as she can push the ball herself, using nice changes of pace to create easy buckets. Defensively fine-tuned, Cieplicki has heady anticipation and footwork, using savvy body positioning to take away opponents’ go-to moves. A good rebounder too, Kelli boxes out consistently, pursues the rock and pushes the tempo, either herself or with advance passes. A swiss army knife type with great efficiency.
Bianca Williams Bianca Williams 5'10" | SG Essex | 2024 State New E , 5’10 G/W/F – Essex High School Class of 2024
With inside out abilities, an increasingly shifty handle, and the length plus athleticism to guard 2-4, Bianca is really coming into her own. Williams’ inclination is to space out to the wing where she’s an efficient shooter from three off the catch, and increasingly so off the bounce too. Yet, she’s also a strong slasher, using crossovers and hesitations to create space, getting downhill and using her body well to finish through defenders. Plus, she can do some work in the post too, displaying quick drop steps for baby hooks off of cuts into the post. Defensively, Bianca has the tools to be a defensive dynamo; she can defend wings due to her agility and athleticism, and forwards with her strength and long frame. In addition, Bianca controls the boards with her physicality and length, opening up her coast-to-coast abilities in transition. Williams has a ton of upside and we’re just seeing the tip of the iceberg now.
Addison Hunter Addison Hunter 6'0" | PF Champlain Valley | 2023 State New E , 5’11 F – Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2024
Hunter affects the game in so many ways with her post passing, rebounding prowess, interior defense, and her finishing; she’s a lot to handle. On the offensive end, Addi is fully equipped with numerous post moves and counters, showcasing baby hooks, drop steps, up-and-unders, as well as a crisp mid-range game out of the face-up. With all that she draws lots of defensive attention. She has the awareness plus the vision to slip passes into fellow forwards as doubles come, or to hit weak side cutters as they slide into the paint. Hunter’s rebounding is top tier too, using her strong frame to fend off opponents with solid box outs, collecting boards for second chance points or to spark the fastbreak with heads-up advance passes. Lastly, Addi’s interior defense is grounded in her sound anticipation, footwork, and lower body strength, keeping forwards off the block and challenging shots without overcommitting. Hunter’s savvy and hoop IQ make her an enjoyable watch.