802 D2 Championship: #1 North Country vs #3 Spaulding

NCU takes the D2 crown, going 24-0 for a perfect season! Spaulding took control early, but the firepower of NCU was too much as they adjusted in the second half and took control of the game. Dig into the top players from the D2 Finals!   MVP: Sabine Brueck   Sabine Brueck, 5'7 G - North Country Union High School Class of 2025   When facing Brueck, you know it's going to be a tough night. Sabine was all over her matchup, moving her feet quickly and lightly, shadowing them wherever they went. She forced errant passes and took SHS out of rhythm with her ball pressure and help defense, and she did it all with few foul calls. Moreover, her offense was highly efficient. Sabine got to the rim at will, slashing from wing slots and finishing strong. And she finished her looks at the line. Brueck finished with a game-high 16, 7/8 from the FT line, and she had numerous boards, assists, and steals. The kid leaves little to be desired.   Standouts:   [player_tooltip player_id='426304' first='Cora' last='Nadeau'], 5'10 G/W - North Country Union High School Class of 2023   It can be hard to find the flow in such a big game, and there were moments when Cora was pressing a bit offensively, particularly in the first half. But she didn't let that affect her effort on the defensive end. Nadeau played moved her feet on defense, rotated into help position, boxed out, and hit the glass. And as the game wore on, she found her rhythm. Nadeau got to her spots, rose up with confidence, and shook off the cobwebs from the first two frames. Nadeau finished with 13 points, 5+ boards, and another state title.   Maya Auger, 5'7 G - North Country Union High School Class of 2024   Going into the game I was interested to see Maya's mindset. Auger is a shooter first, but she showed how well-rounded her game is in this one. Maya hit her open 3's, all within the flow of the offense. And if the shot wasn't there, she made smart and snappy decisions with the ball. She drove to the rim and got to the FT line, or she made quick passes and moved off ball. Moreover, she ratcheted up the defensive intensity. Maya applied ball pressure, got in passing lanes, and made good reads to slide into help position. Auger's two-way game was essential to NCU capturing the crown.   Aaliyah Wilburn, 5'10 F - North Country Union High School Class of 2024   Aaliyah is one of NCU's crucial role players and she played her role to a tee. Wilburn provided paint protection by smothering opposing post players, forcing SHS to play from the perimeter. And as opponents drove, Wilburn was there to help, bother shots, and hit the glass. Then offensively, she provides a post presence for this guard heavy team to feed. Aaliyah went to her face-up game, knocked down a jumper or two, and worked the ball from the inside - out to provide looks for shooters. Wilburn's high-IQ and effort helped NCU secure the paint, and the chip.   [player_tooltip player_id='496203' first='Yvonne' last='Roberge'], 5'7 G - Spaulding High School Class of 2023   From the jump, Yvonne was locked in. Roberge was composed on the big stage, making play after play in the early goings. She got to the rim for finishes and found assists in the second layer with fundamental footwork and reads of defensive rotations. Roberge had it rolling. Then her defense turned up a notch, and SHS got out in transition for easy buckets. NCU made adjustments in the second half to slow Roberge down, and foul trouble kept her sidelined at times. Nonetheless, Yvonne was one of the most impactful players whenever she was on the floor.   Sage Maccauley, 5'9 W/F - Spaulding High School Class of 2023   Sage showed her versatility in this one. When Yvonne had to sit due to foul trouble, Maccauley stepped in as point-forward. She played a facilitator role, navigating ball pressure and getting SHS into their sets. And when their offense was stifled, she made plays. Sage drove into the second layer, got paint touches, and finished shots inside or fed the open player. Her assertiveness was exactly what SHS needed. And on the defensive end, she was everywhere. Sage played hardnosed defense inside and out and got on the glass. Maccauley's all-around game was in full effect.   Taylor Keel, 5'7 G - Spaulding High School Class of 2025   Every team needs a spark plug off the bench, and the sophomore combo-guard for SHS does exactly that. Keel showed her scrappiness defensively, working ballhandlers and tracking down 50/50 balls. Plus, her instincts off the ball forced deflections and bobbled passes, taking some air out of NCU's offense. She provided good minutes on the offensive end as well. Taylor got out in transition for a finish or two, and she made plays for others in the open court. Keel's minutes off the bench were so important as SHS battled with foul trouble.

NCU takes the D2 crown, going 24-0 for a perfect season! Spaulding took control early, but the firepower of NCU was too much as they adjusted in the second half and took control of the game. Dig into the top players from the D2 Finals!