Premier Performers: D1 Final Four #2 RHS vs #3 St. J
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18-2 Rutland and 14-6 St. Johnsbury made the long trek to Patrick Gym, and they didn’t disappoint! Check out the top performers in this instant classic. Hayden Wilkins Hayden Wilkins 5'8" | PG Saint Johnsbury Academy | 2024 State New…
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Continue Reading18-2 Rutland and 14-6 St. Johnsbury made the long trek to Patrick Gym, and they didn’t disappoint! Check out the top performers in this instant classic.
Hayden Wilkins Hayden Wilkins 5'8" | PG Saint Johnsbury Academy | 2024 State New E , 5’8 G – St. Johnsbury Academy Class of 2024
It was a game that didn’t come smoothly for Hayden. Her shot wasn’t falling early on, and ticky-tack fouls caught up to her in the 3rd. Nonetheless, Wilkins came up clutch in the 4th and OT. She locked in offensively, going back and forth with Bellomo, bucket for bucket. Hayden hit a huge pull-up to send the game to OT, then finished it off with a game-winning three in OT. Hayden’s persistence on both ends and confidence in herself, and her teammates, shined through.
Emma Greenan, 5’11 F – St. Johnsbury Academy Class of 2024
When Greenan checked into the game in the second half, momentum shifted. Emma was one of the few forwards on St. J who could battle with Evans as she dominated the interior. Emma used her strength and physicality to scrap for boards and post finishes, and she corralled a couple of huge second chance buckets. Greenan’s eight points in the second half, paired with her seven boards and four blocks, gave St. J that inside presence necessary to win.
Kaylee Weaver, 5’5 G – St. Johnsbury Academy Class of 2023
The senior leader was calm, cool and collected all game, even as she managed a shot to the face and a bloody lip partway through the 4th. It didn’t faze her though. Weaver came up big in the 3rd and 4th, knocking down threes down the stretch and collecting a total of eight points in the half. Kaylee’s scrappy on-ball defense tired RHS’ ballhandlers, and her hot shooting in the second half boosted St. J to a final’s appearance.
Karsyn Bellomo, 5’7 PG – Rutland High School Class of 2023
Leading all scorers with 18, Karsyn was clearly one of the most impactful and poised players all game. Bellomo orchestrated the offense exquisitely. She showed patience yet was aggressive as she found looks in the paint, from three, and made plays for others. When it came down to the final stretch, it was all Karsyn for RHS. She finished multiple strong takes to the cup in crunch time, found others for easy looks, and her would be game tying shot in OT was just an inch too long. Bellomo showed all game why she’s one of the best guards in the state.
Jasmine Evans, 5’11 F – Rutland High School Class of 2024
If you don’t know the name, write it down now! Jasmine was the most dominant player all game. Evans’ work around the rim was top tier. She finished with 11 points off of FT’s and nice feeds from Bellomo. But it was her work on the glass and defensively that struck me most. Evans finished with a whopping 26 boards, absolutely owning the glass on both sides. Plus, she added five blocks and affected numerous other shots. If Evans adds some post moves and improves her feel around the rim she’s going to be a big-time player.
Anna Moser Anna Moser 5'8" | CG Rutland | 2026 State New E , 5’5 G – Rutland High School Class of 2026
Truth be told, and I don’t say this lightly, I was completely blown away by Anna’s demeanor. Moser looked like one of the most comfortable players on the floor right from the tip. She was looked to score, got paint touches, made smart decisions with the ball, and confidently shot her open looks. Moreover, Moser was keyed in defensively. She moved her feet, played honest defense, and stayed out of foul trouble. Anna is the real deal; I can’t say I’ve seen that many freshmen look so confident in their first Final Four.