The Best of the Hamilton Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Girls Hoops takes a look at the top standouts from last weekend's Hamilton Tournament, which we got a chance to watch via the Magical Stream Machine. East Buchanan defeated North Harrison in the championship game for its second consecutive title. Lathrop defeated East Atchison in the third place game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Photo Courtesy of Amy Kelsey)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>************</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='162473' first='Gracie' last='Kelsey'] (East Buchanan): The 6'2" 2023 Drury recruit was the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament for the second consecutive year. She was dominant at both ends of the court with her scoring, rebounding and shot blocking inside. She can also handle the ball and relieve the pressure for her guards as well. The lefty was a bucket in the past and she could also make a nice drive from the high post. She also passed the ball well out of the many double and triple teams that she faced.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hannah Carter (South Harrison): A 6'0" 2024 forward averaged 17 points a game in the tournament to lead her team to a berth in the championship game. She was very patient in the low post when she made her moves inside. She had a nice touch along the baseline and a good up and under move. She was very mobile as she ran the court well to get buckets in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Natalie Hedlund (East Atchison): The 6'0" 2023 forward played in only one game in the tournament, but it was a good one as she scored 36 points in a first-round victory over Gallatin. She is an athletic, mobile post player who was finishing very well off the glass. She displayed her athleticism by playing the top of her team's 3-2 zone defense as she was disruptive with her height and length while on the move.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keylie Beane (Lathrop): A 5'7" 2024 point guard who scored 16 points in the Lady Mules victory over East Atchinson in the third-place game. The young lefty is an excellent passer with good court vision. She was able to thread the needle with some nice dimes through traffic. She could also knock down the open 3-pointer. She has a very poised and savvy game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brooklyn Johnson (East Buchanan): The 2026 forward was a big factor in East Buch's victory over South Harrison in the championship game. She came off the bench to score 12 points, with six coming in each half. With the defense concentrating on All-State teammate [player_tooltip player_id='162473' first='Gracie' last='Kelsey'], she was able to find the open spots on the weak side and she converted with a nice shooting touch around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abigail Malloy (South Harrison): A 2025 guard who scored 15 points in the championship game against East Buchanan. She was very aggressive on offense as she was constantly probing the defense for open driving lanes. She could score on the straight-line drive or she could hit the defender with a nice hesitation move on her way to the basket. She also drained a 3-pointer when defenders backed off of her a step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Autum Nichols (Lathop): A 2024 forward who did a very good job inside in the Lady Mules victory in the third place game. The young lefty is a good rebounder who could get out of her area to corral boards and she also hit the offensive glass as well. She catches the ball well and she made some nice passes out of the post to open shooters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Claire Martin (East Atchison): A 2024 point guard who plays a solid game at both ends of the court. I was impressed with her passing ability as she displayed good court vision in the half court as the ability to throw good lead passes in transition. She hit multiple 3-pointers when she was left open. Her defensive instincts were able very good as she rotated into the right spots to pick off passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->