GHSA Elite 8: River Ridge-Marist Standouts

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["350683"],"_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":"Kayla's physicality and nose for the ball set the tone early on for the Knights in their 61-43 win over Marist. Cleaveland was quicker than everyone to rebounds, bursting through to secure boards, tipping them to herself and tracking down any long caroms. The stretch-forward was locked in with her jump shot, hitting three from the mid-range and stepping outside to can a three-pointer. Of course, if you know Kayla's game, she's a three-level scorer. She did damage on the low block converting three And-1s. What also stuck out to me was Kayla's crafty passing in the paint. She would split traps with bounce passes and wrap around assists when defenders zoned in on her. Cleaveland produced 17 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals. The lefty will be a focus for Low Major and Mid-Major programs this offseason.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["476459"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='476459' first='Makayla' last='Roberson'] wasn't the most ballyhooed freshman in the game, but she once again proved that she could compete with the very best in her class as she finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. Roberson has guarded other teams' best players all throughout the season and Tuesday was no exception, drawing the difficult task of slowing down blue-chipper Katie Harpring. While Harpring got her points at the end of the day, Roberson played a key role in helping tire her out. Roberson used her quickness to stay in front and make Harpring earn baskets the hard way. Roberson's most impressive play came at the end of the first half, alertly coming up to wrestle away a rolled in inbound, had the presence of mind to sit up and wait for her teammates to cross half court and ended up assisting to [player_tooltip player_id='296847' first='Sophia' last='Pearl'] for an And-1 with 3.6 seconds left to make it 28-15 heading into the half with all the momentum on the Knights' side. Makayla also hit big threes to answer any long ball the War Eagles connected on, sinking three on the night. Roberson's dynamic two-way play has been an X-Factor all season for the Knights. She's a surefire D-I prospect.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["154599"],"_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":"The Penn-signee recorded 9 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal. She showcased her ability to create separation on the perimeter, getting into her pull-up jumper. Gayle hit a long step-back inside the arc and her final bucket came on a three off the bounce. Mataya dealt with foul trouble, but was effective when on the floor, causing problems with her speed and athleticism.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["296847"],"_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":"Pearl did a nice job scoring downhill. She converted on two floaters, a pull-up jumper and an And-1 layup in transition. Sophia finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. It is always a positive sign to see such a good shooter like Pearl still manage to be effective when her long ball isn't dropping.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["253976"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The long-armed volleyball standout scored six points early, using a soft touch from five-feet. Sweet finished with 8 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals. She did a nice job getting deflections, working around post seals to poke the ball away.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["541419"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"It was a laborious 23 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks for [player_tooltip player_id='541419' first='Kate' last='Harpring'] who did everything she could to keep Marist in the game. Shots didn't drop for Harpring, but she still managed to make a major impact, leading all players in scoring as she muscled her way to the rim consistently. Kate went 7-13 from the foul line as she got Knights in foul trouble. Harpring has great footwork and good balance when attacking downhill and finishing through contact. I like how she will go into the post and use her strength and craftiness to score on the block. Kate scores with both hands and dissects opponents with her drives and passes. The High Major recruit should shatter records at Marist.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["607456"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"At 6-foot tall with mobility and a nice shooting stroke, [player_tooltip player_id='607456' first='Abby' last='Lindsay'] is flying under the radar. The junior has a lot of covetable tools to work with at the next level. Lindsay is a stretch-four that shoots the three at a high level and is active in the paint, good at anticipating passes, picking up steals and deflections. Lindsay is long and lean, a reliable rebounder who is a mismatch on offense. Abby hit three three-pointers to finish with 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals. D-III schools will want to become familiar, as well may D-II programs.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ff9d0ded9d6"} /-->