3A Standouts on Day One of the State Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After 5A concluded today, we moved on to three of the four 3A Quarterfinal games. Those games had plenty of drama and intrigue throughout, including No. 8 Vinton-Shullsburg beating No. 1 Estherville-Lincoln Center in the opening contest for 3A today at the Wells Fargo Center. I want to talk about a few kids who stood out in those three games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='311389' first='Haylee' last='Stokes']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although ELC lost their opening-round game, I thought Stokes was the most influential player on the floor. She made long-range passes to give her team some momentum. Stokes' ability to hit her teammates on the button from 50-plus feet away is something to behold up close. The sophomore also made some moves around the basket that was nothing short of spectacular. She busted out a few euro steps and finished one creatively with her right hand, going to her left.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alyssa Griffith</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vinton-Shullsburg wing was excellent for her team tonight. Griffith finished with a 17-point and ten-rebound double-double to help her Vikettes team win over the No. 1 seed in 3A. Griffith put herself in positions to succeed all game around the basket and finished through some contact. She also ended the game by making nine of her 12 free throws, including some crucial ones down the stretch to seal the win. Griffith didn't make any one standout play tonight. She was solid all game long and took advantage of any opening that the defense gave her. I'm very excited to see her and her team play again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='127632' first='Jenna' last='Twedt']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future Kirkwood guard made some of the most challenging shots this high school season. One jumper in the first half where she was leaning to her right and threw up a shot while she absorbed some contact and hit the back nail and made the shot. I thought she did an excellent job scoring in the mid-range area, and the threat of her doing that created opportunities for her teammates to get open 3-pointers in the first half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emma Donovan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Walhert Catholic forward season concluded, but she had an excellent run this postseason, recording double-doubles in every game she played. I thought she was physical and gave the Golden Eagles the advantage down low and helped them battle back from an early deficit. I thought she was the most effective player on the floor today and has nothing to be ashamed of, and if she wantsto continue playing, I'm sure she has a bright future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->