Raatz Fence/O’Shea’s Basketball Classic: Saturday Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 Raatz Fence/O'Shea's Basketball Classic at Mercy Academy was full of talented players and teams. It featured a top 15 national matchup, as well as many games between some of the top teams in Kentucky. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it out there for the entire day Saturday, but I did catch a lot of top matchups across the 2 day span. Here's what I saw in the games on Saturday afternoon, including the players that really stood out to me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>DuPont Manual 76 vs Lakeway Christian 26</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I didn't get to this game until halftime and it was already a blowout at that point, but it really just speaks to the talent that Manual has as they were coming off a very tough road win Friday night. While Lakeway Christian was short-handed and dealing with a high pressure Crimson defense, but they fought from start to finish. Manual's [player_tooltip player_id='164400' first='Sydne' last='Tolbert'] and Lexi Weaver led all scorers with 16 points each.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["164400"],"_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":"Tolbert is one of the best point guards in the state and I can say that with confidence. She just brings so much value to the floor. She can handle pressure, she creates, she's a really strong defender, and she can score at all 3 levels. Tolbert is always so solid and while she's not always one of the biggest players on the floor, she's always ready for big moments. She finished the game with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 7 steals, 4 assists, and a block.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["285352"],"_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":"Stuffle was scoring at all 3 levels. She was hitting shots from deep range, even with a defender running at her. She also had some strong drives to the basket and she recognized when to stop and pull up. She looked strong defensively as well, moving her feet to stay in front. Stuffle finished with 19 points (4/7 from 3), 4 assists, and 2 rebounds on Friday night and then she followed that up with 15 points (3/5 from 3), 2 rebounds, and an assist on Saturday.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["199609"],"_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":"Weaver had 16 points in only 21 minutes of play. She hit 4 3-pointers in the victory on Saturday, but her outside shooting is just one of the aspect's that make her dangerous. She can knock down 3's just as easily as she can shot fake and go around her defender. She plays with high energy and intensity. She also added a rebound and 2 steals.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d04473d9000"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Owensboro Catholic 46 vs Southwestern 43</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game was certainly full of runs on both sides. For example, the 1st quarter was 14-3 in Owensboro Catholic's favor, but the 2nd quarter was 21-7 in Southwestern's favor. The 2nd half was closer, but the Lady Aces were able to come out with the win. Owensboro Catholic's Aubrey Randolph and Southwestern's Ayden Smiddy led all scorers with 18 points each.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Aubrey Randolph","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Owensboro Catholic ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Randolph has been one of my biggest surprise standouts this season, simply because I wasn't familiar with her prior to this season and now after seeing her play multiple times, I've walked away impressed by her all-around game every time. She's a really disruptive defender as she can use her length to get steals and blocks. Offensively, she can score on all 3 levels. She finished with 18 points (3/4 from 3), 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Ayden Smiddy","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Southwestern","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Smiddy was doing a little bit of everything on Saturday and she played a huge role in Southwestern's near comeback. She was a solid floor general who was creating excellent looks for herself off of the dribble. She was able to finish tough shots at all 3 levels. Smiddy finished with 18 points (5/8 from 3), 8 rebounds, 7 steals, and 4 assists.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["254278"],"_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":"Riley is a very versatile guard. She can bring the ball down the floor or she can play off of the ball. She can knock down 3's or she can score in the mid-range or at the rim. She consistently makes plays and she consistently plays hard. Riley finished with 11 points and 4 rebounds, and she was also a big factor on the defensive end of the floor.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["304630"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Acey scored her 1,000th Varsity point in this match-up which was a huge accomplishment in itself. She was really tough all throughout the game, especially around the basket. She makes great moves and can finish with both hands. She's strong and hard to keep off of the boards. Acey finished with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d04473d918f"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Lawrence County 50 vs Anderson County 46</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a battle from start to finish. Lawrence County's [player_tooltip player_id='173759' first='Kensley' last='Feltner'] and Anderson County's [player_tooltip player_id='254281' first='Lainey' last='Johnson'] both had big time performances as both of them finished with double-doubles. These teams were really playing hard and I was extremely impressed by how well they took care of the ball as there were only 13 total turnovers in this match-up, but especially Lawrence County as they only accounted for 2 of those turnovers. Feltner led all scorers with 26 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["173759"],"_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":"Feltner was beyond impressive in Lawrence County's win. Not only did her play stand out, but her leadership really caught my eye as she was constantly talking to her teammates. You don't have to question how hard she plays or the effort she's giving. She had 2-4 players hanging on her a lot of times when she was going up with the shot and she still found ways to finish. Feltner is also very unselfish and made some great plays for her teammates. She finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["254281"],"_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":"Johnson was also impressive in all aspects. She made great drives to the basket and she knocked down shots. She not only hit shots, but she created some great looks off of the dribble, including nailing some step backs. She makes plays for her teammates as well, especially when help steps over on her drives. Johnson plays like a veteran despite only being a sophomore. She has a ton of career left, but she's already got a huge game. She finished the game with 19 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block.","_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='780845' first='Sophie' last='Adkins']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Lawrence County","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"Arctic Rush","_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":"Adkins' shots weren't falling as much as they typically do, but that didn't stop her from making her impact known. She was moving without the ball, creating good looks at the basket, and handling defensive pressure. Despite having a lot of touches, she never turned the ball over. Adkins finished with 9 points, 7 rebounds, an assist, and a steal.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d04473d9294"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Incarnate Word 60 vs Sacred Heart 48</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a battle of 2 top 15 nationally ranked teams, Incarnate Word was able to come out victorious. Sacred Heart fought hard against the Red Knights, not allowing them to pull away too far, but Incarnate Word kept their 80+ game win streak alive in the end. Incarnate Word's [player_tooltip player_id='107016' first='Natalie' last='Potts'] led all scorers with 19 points, along with 9 rebounds. I wrote about Potts in my Friday standout article, so while I'm not going to include her below, she was certainly a Saturday standout as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["254273"],"_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":"Johnson is one of the best players in the nation for a reason. She can contribute in every way imaginable and her game just continues to grow despite how well-rounded her game already is. She's so hard to defend because of her talent and versatility. She can beat you off of the dribble or the catch, or she can kick the ball to her teammates. Johnson finished with a double-double, 16 points and 10 rebounds. She also had 2 assists and 2 steals.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["170618"],"_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":"Coffey can really shoot the ball at a high level. She's also got excellent size and strength that make her a tough defensive assignment. She can finish around the basket, but she is such a big threat on the perimeter. She can get her shot off quickly and with a defender running at her. Coffey is a very unselfish player who can find and create for her teammates. She finished with a near double-double on Friday night (10 points/9 rebounds), and followed that up with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals on Saturday.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["194395"],"_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":"James was really solid in Incarnate Word's victory. She has a great shot and good elevation that she can use to get her shot off over top of defenders. She's got great length that allows her to be disruptive defensively as well. James finished with 12 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and a block.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["245899"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Bender showed her high level talent on another big stage. She showed her ability to create good shots and to get her shot off from anywhere on the floor. She was hitting off of the dribble and off of the catch. She can knock down jump shots inside or outside of the perimeter, but she can also get to the rim. Bender went 4/8 from 3 and finished the game with 14 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d04473d93b1"} /-->