NCHSAA 4A Championship Game: Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panther Creek Lady Catamounts took home the 4A crown Saturday afternoon at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC. In a game that saw the lead change 5 times, the speed of the Catamount backcourt proved to be too much for Lake Norman, as the team was able to find their way inside, scoring 48 of its 75 points in the paint. Multiple players were able to step up on the state's biggest stage. Here's a look at our top performers from the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["389288"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='389288' first='Olivia' last='Tucker']'s final stat line says it all. The 2024 guard finished with a game high 27 points and 4 rebounds on her way to becoming the state title game MVP. She came into the game extremely aggressive, looking to establish her presence as Lake Norman fought to keep the ball out of teammate [player_tooltip player_id='326206' first='Taylor' last='Barner']'s hands. u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eDespite missing some early looks at the basket,u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eshe continued to stay in in attack mode until things opened up for her.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe did a great job handling Lake Norman's high-pressure defense, helping to take the load off [player_tooltip player_id='326206' first='Taylor' last='Barner'] to help steer the offense. Defensively she did a great staying in front of her opponent and getting inside passing lanes to force turnovers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["457411"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":614545,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Finishing as the West Most Outstanding Player, the freshman seemed to embrace the pressure of playing in the biggest game of her career. She has confidence unlike anything you've probably seen before. Kelsey finished with a team high 20 points, drillingu003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e u003c/spanu003e6 of 11 from deep. Her range seems to be anywhere in the building as she tried to will her team to victory, draining big shot after big shot from well over NBA range. Kelsey just has “It”. You can't explain “It”. But you know “It”, when you see “It”. The future is incredibly bright for her.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["326206"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":614546,"_player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='326206' first='Taylor' last='Barner'] is strongly making her case of being the #1 PG in North Carolina following an incredible 20 point performance in the title game. She slipped inside past her defender for a nice up and under scoop shot in the first quarter and that play help define how the rest of the game would go. Her ability to get by defenders is second to none. She reads the defense extremely well and is able to get to the basket at will. As a team, Lake Norman had as good of a defensive game plan as you can have against her and yet she still was able to weave her way through traffic and score. She was also was able to find teammates for easy shots after the defense collapsed.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["254584"],"_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":"Still unsigned, the lack of recruitment for Kirsten appears to be somewhat of an anomaly. Despite getting into some foul trouble which shortened her minutes,u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eKirsten still finished with an impressive 16 points and 12 rebounds. She is simply a walking double-double.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe did a great job primarily handlingu003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e u003c/spanu003ePG duties during the  course of the game which shows she can lead an offense. She was able to get inside for some strong rebounds and score in the paint against much bigger defenders. She was also able to draw fouls as she attacked the paint, getting to the free throw line where she knocked down 8-10 from the charity stripe.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e Through her career at Lake Norman, she has been able to play u003c/spanu003emultiple roles and and has flawlessly adjusted to whatever role she was given. There will be a large number of college coaches that will regret not taking the chance on her.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["207414"],"_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":"u003cpu003eAmira finished with a strong 10 points and 13 boards in Saturday's contest. She was an all-around force around the basket and did a great job with her defensive communication. Her basketball IQ showed to be off the charts as she was again able to help put her teammates in position on the court. Amira will suit up for University of Maryland Eastern Shore next season who I believe may have gotten a steal.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003eu0026nbsp;u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["288423"],"_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":"Addison hit a much needed NBA range 3 in the 2nd quarter just as Panther Creek was gaining momentum. Really like when she is looking for her shot as she definitely has the ability. Though her final stat lines won't jump out at you, her impact on the game continued to be important as she played all 32 minutes and drew the game's toughest defensive assignment in Panther Creek's [player_tooltip player_id='326206' first='Taylor' last='Barner']. She was able to deny her the ball on several occasions and picked her up full court, which at times changed the flow of the Catamount offense.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["563337"],"_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":"Kirstin is such a solid all around player. She played excellent defense as a rim protector, having a huge block late in the game where she swatted the ball back to the Lake Norman bench which brought some momentum to her team. She did a great job on the boards, notching 7 rebounds and slid well towards the basket so her teammates could find her for easy baskets in the paint.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["288422"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cpu003eSamantha hit some big buckets, scoring a quick 5 consecutive points in the 2nd Q before finishing with 11 points. She continued to score in a variety of ways and continues to be a utility player that can just do all of the little things well for her team.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["331368"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Alexis essentially displays all of the same characteristics that her twin sister Samantha possesses. She finished with 15 points and also hit some big momentum-gaining shots during the game. Another strong characteristic from the Sheehan twins are their lightening quick decision making when they get the ball in their hands. They don't second guess anything. They shoot the shots they are supposed to shoot and will always take what the defense gives them.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["275969"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"u003cpu003eWhat stood out most for Madisyn today was her poise. Never seeming to get rattled during the game and hitting some very big corner threes off the catch to finish with 10 points.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003eu0026nbsp; u003c/spanu003eHer ability on defense is somewhat underrated as she can really defend 1-5 and has the size and length tou003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003eu0026nbsp; u003c/spanu003ebother opponents and gets her hands in their face. u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003eu0026nbsp;u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640dec04d1109"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->