Season Recap: Glue Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout a season, some kids display qualities I like but never get to talk about. Today, I want to talk about some glue kids who contribute to winning in multiple ways but aren't always at the forefront of their team. All the kids I'll mention were significant contributors to winning teams this season but not necessarily the main focus from the outside looking in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='246117' first='Emma' last='Townsley']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most of Benton's offense went through [player_tooltip player_id='127632' first='Jenna' last='Twedt'], which made sense in practice. However, that style of play worked because Benton had someone like Townsley who could attack closeouts and utilize the space that opened up from defenses collapsing on Twedt. Her ability to handle the ball and attack off the dribble from kick outs or quick swings was more significant to the offense than most people would initially imagine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='342194' first='Zoe' last='Ackerman']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ackerman is more of a natural lead guard who had to play more off the ball this season at Sibley-Ocheyedan but did an excellent job. I thought she sacrificed and took on challenges that most kids couldn't handle. Ackerman didn't mind guarding girls of significantly more size than her and got after it every time down the floor. She could score the ball, but it never seemed to alter her effort level or the positive force she brought to the floor. She always seemed to find herself in the right place at the right time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emilie Sorenson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the CIML, it seems like there's talent around every corner, and that's only slight hyperbole. Sorenson and her Waukee team nearly made a run to the state tournament behind the play of kids like Sorenson. In that Section Title Game against Waterloo West, I think she showed what kind of player she could be moving forward. Sorenson shot the ball well with volume, rebounded, and used her athleticism to create turnovers on the defensive end. Sometimes kids like Sorenson can get overshadowed in elite conferences, but she has all the tools to catch eyes this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Izzy McCool</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Polk's season was inches away from ending in jubilation from a tough Izzy McCool shot, which would have been fitting for her, but it wasn't to be. However, North Polk going to her at that time shows the amount of trust her coaches and teammates had in her. She's reliable in all aspects of the game and plays with a confident aura. She'll improve a program at the next level if she continues her playing career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->