Redhawk Companionship: CVU vs. Lamoille Preseason Action
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Take a peek at a well-oiled CVU squad and a Lamoille team that’s building their foundation with a young core. Enjoy! Shelby Companion Shelby Companion 5'6" | CG CVU | 2023 State New E , 5’7 G – Champlain Valley…
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Continue ReadingTake a peek at a well-oiled CVU squad and a Lamoille team that’s building their foundation with a young core. Enjoy!
Shelby Companion Shelby Companion 5'6" | CG CVU | 2023 State New E , 5’7 G – Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2023
It sure was raining Saturday morning, both outside and inside the gym. Companion was electric on both ends, rebounding the ball and collecting assists as she pushed the tempo. Moreover, her jumper was absolutely dialed in, knocking down 6/7 threes with supreme confidence; everything looked like it was going in. Defensively, Shelby hawked the ball, snagged a couple off-ball steals, and made life difficult for Lamoille’s guards as they found little rhythm throughout the morning. Companion and company look hungry.
Addison Hunter Addison Hunter 6'0" | PF Champlain Valley | 2023 State New E , 6’0 F – Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2023
With a highly efficient morning, Addi’s offense was clicking at a high level. Hunter showcased her post work much of the day, exhibiting poise on the block as she worked defenders with drop steps and up and unders. Moreover, her jumper was hitting on all cylinders. She knocked down turnaround j’s over her left shoulder and faced up for crisp mid-range jumpers too. In addition, she hit cutters with timely passes and sparked a few fastbreak buckets with quick outlets as well. Lastly, she knocked down her free throws at a good percentage, protected the rim, and cleared the boards. Hunter was in mid-season form.
Samara Ashooh Samara Ashooh 6'0" | PF Champlain Valley Union | 2024 State New E , 6’1 F – Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2024
Samara’s post presence was felt every minute she was on the floor. Ashooh showed great feel in the interior, sealing defenders intuitively, putting up a target hand, and garnering post position wherever she desired. Her offensive awareness was on exhibition too as she backed defenders down, taking on one-one coverage and finishing with crisp post moves. But more often than not a double came, and she made instinctual and timely kick outs into shooter’s pockets. Samara defended the paint well, rarely letting any post player get a catch as she denied entry and deflected numerous passes. Ashooh was on it. The post duo of Ashooh + Hunter is top in the state.
Maddie Bunting, 5’8 G – Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2023
A tough guard and a quick decision maker, Bunting showed her effectiveness in myriad ways. Maddie reeled in a few boards and collected assists in transition, finding lane runners with nice advance passes for in-stride lays. She also displayed her own scoring abilities, knocking down a few threes and taking it to the rack once the defense took away the deep ball. In addition, Maddie applied good on-ball pressure, forced some deflections and made winning plays continuously.
Elyse Berger, 5’11 G – Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2023
Elyse is such a unique talent. Berger has good height and length as well as a strong frame, which typically lands a person like her in the post, yet she plays like a point guard. Elyse greases the wheels for CVU, handling ball pressure with ease due to her tight handle, strength, and over the top vision. She made numerous smart passes for hockey assists and collected a few easy buckets herself, along with a three. Yet it’s her defense that may be most impressive. She can guard 1-4, has nice anticipation and tracks down 50/50 balls often. Berger is somewhat of an unsung hero for a well-tooled CVU crew.
Zoey McNabb, 5’7 G – Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2026
The young gun Zoey McNabb made an impression today with her poised handling of on-ball pressure, wise decision making, and finishing. McNabb got some run at the helm, demonstrating a handle with lots of variance, combining numerous dribble moves to throw defenders off balance and make space. Zoey dropped a couple buckets in too, driving the lane off of hesitations, finishing with a floater and a clean reverse. McNabb has grown lots since I last saw her and to see the confidence she had today made it clear to me that she’s putting in the work.
Natalie Royer, 5’8 G – Lamoille Union High School Class of 2024
Natalie was the binding force that kept Lamoille on track throughout the morning. Royer had to manage the multi-headed monster of CVU’s tough as nails team defense, working hard to get sets rolling and as she made a bit of breathing space with her crisp handle. Natalie stuck a couple threes, moved the ball effectively and collected a few assists off of dribble drives. Moreover, Royer had the job of containing CVU’s guards, applying full court pressure and managing a couple of on-ball rips, ultimately making them work for their looks. Nat’s grit and poise will be crucial for a young Lamoille squad.
Evie Pirie, 5’7 G – Lamoille Union High School Class of 2025
In combination with Royer, Evie took on the job of trying to slow down the guards of a well-oiled CVU offense. Pirie stuck her nose into a few passing lanes, tipping some passes and collecting a turnover or two. On the offensive end is really where she got it going though. Evie had a real nice baseline drive from the right corner and went reverse with the right hand for a tough and-one finish, and right after that that got a short jumper in the lane and a three, sparking a run where two others hit a couple threes, breathing some life into Lamoille’s sails. Evie will get lots of run this season and I anticipate she’ll grow substantially throughout the winter.