Sandy’s Spiel Showdown Girls Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The Sandy's Spiel Showdown tips-off at 11:00 AM at Cherokee High School this Saturday (12/3).</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":557344,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/11/Sandys-Spiel-Showdown-Schedule.png" alt="" class="wp-image-557344" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>11:00 – North Cobb Christian vs. No. 9 Hillgrove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty-signee [player_tooltip player_id='269506' first='Brooke' last='Moore'] (16.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.3 spg) leads North Cobb Christian into battle with Class 7A No. 9 Hillgrove. While the Eagles have a tiny seven-player roster, the Hawks are deep with young talent and can attack in waves. [player_tooltip player_id='335854' first='Yolanda' last='Floyd'] was named Raider Classic MVP as Hillgrove toppled North Forsyth while senior [player_tooltip player_id='523271' first='Caylie' last='Long'] provided a double-double inside. [player_tooltip player_id='335913' first='Aryelle' last='King'] is a quick guard that shoots the ball well, flanked by sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='335853' first='Elena' last='Harden'], [player_tooltip player_id='335911' first='Amaya' last='Harris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484964' first='London' last='VanArsdale']. North Cobb Christian might not have the same speed on the perimeter, but [player_tooltip player_id='364632' first='Alexis' last='Healy'] is a three-point specialist and [player_tooltip player_id='311570' first='Gaby' last='LoPresti'] is a physical wing that can shoot from the perimeter and work her way to the basket. Hillgrove's frontline can be tough to score on with Amorie Strachan an active forward and 6-foot-2 Kandace Montgomery an impactful freshman that can clog the lane. Selena Wilson and [player_tooltip player_id='541663' first='Addie' last='English'] are capable forwards that will be asked to secure rebounds and score inside for North Cobb Christian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2:00 – Denmark vs. No. 4 Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Denmark has had an up-and-down season thus far but when healthy, the Danes have serious talent in the backcourt between [player_tooltip player_id='335863' first='Hannah' last='Lopez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='371801' first='Emma' last='Hempker']. Lopez is a smooth scoring sophomore that can pile in points from all over and has major experience after playing with the U16 Philippines national team. The key to success is getting close to 40 points per game between Lopez and Hempker. Emma exploded for 34 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals against Upson-Lee in the Jackson EMC Tournament. Class 3A No. 4 Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe also has a high scoring nucleus that is powered by their backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id='372731' first='Christen' last='Collins'] led LFO in scoring as a freshman last year at 17.7 points per game. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='376374' first='Angel' last='Simmons'] (16.7 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='154608' first='Christina' last='Collins'] (14.5 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 5 apg, 4 spg) key the Warriors who love to play fast and let threes fly. Denmark will have to handle LFO's full-court pressure and contest shooters as the Warriors whip the ball around the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>5:00 – Cherokee vs. No. 2 Lovejoy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams lost major contributors from last season. Cherokee has played a difficult schedule thus far already seeing Class 6A No. 1 River Ridge (64-38) and Class 3A No. 2 Lumpkin County (65-53). The Warriors should continue to get better each week as they surround [player_tooltip player_id='218694' first='Toni' last='Warren'] with four new starters. Warren holds multiple D-I offers and is a threat to score in the high post with her jumper. Cherokee can shoot the three extremely well and will test Lovejoy's perimeter defense. In their loss to Lumpkin County, the Warriors nailed 11 threes with [player_tooltip player_id='311587' first='Klaire' last='Henkle'], [player_tooltip player_id='154613' first='Elle' last='Kenney'], [player_tooltip player_id='727046' first='Lyla' last='Griffith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='335844' first='Hannah' last='Harris'] spacing out the defense. [player_tooltip player_id='335873' first='Riley' last='Simmons'] will be important against Lovejoy to try and limit second chances as India McIntosh and Jahilya McDonald provide great length for the Wildcats. [player_tooltip player_id='426695' first='Alex' last='Whitecliffe'] missed Cherokee's game vs. Lumpkin County but if she is back, she represents another shooter and a quick athlete that can get downhill. Cherokee will have to find a way to limit Lovejoy in transition. [player_tooltip player_id='218613' first='Bryanna' last='Preston'] is a High Major prospect that converts turnovers into break away layups. She's a dynamic playmaker that has added a pull-up jumper to her arsenal. Physical wing LaNya Foster is an Austin Peay-signee who is averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds over her first three game. [player_tooltip player_id='428393' first='Camiah' last='Muldrow'] is an important third guard, thrust into an even bigger role with [player_tooltip player_id='188327' first='Ayana' last='Boyd'] injured. Much like Cherokee, the defending Class 6A Champs will come in battle-tested having played four Top 10 teams already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->