State Semi-Finals: Best I Saw (Day 2)
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Akaysa Duitscher IA #87 PG #29 HEIGHT 5'5" POS PG CLASS 2023 View Profile Akaysa Duitscher State: Iowa School: Pocahontas Area Akaysa Duitscher Akaysa Duitscher 5’5″ | PG Pocahontas Area | 2023 State IA showed off her basketball skill to…
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Continue ReadingAkaysa Duitscher Akaysa Duitscher 5’5″ | PG Pocahontas Area | 2023 State IA showed off her basketball skill to a T in their Semi-Final matchup. She played with tenacity on both sides of the floor. She did a great job of keeping the offense and ball moving while also creating some deflections on the defensive end. She showed off her scoring ability by getting to the rim in transition, getting a rebound and a put back or even hitting a catch and shoot jump shot. In both of their games at the Well Akaysa showed that she was the best player on the floor for her team. It was nice to see for her as she ends her senior season. In the end Pocahontas Area may not have won the contest to get to the final but they showed that they definitely belonged in this state tournament this season. Going forward they will be graduating all 5 starters from this year so they will definitely have adjustment to make for their 23-24′ campaign. Something I’m sure they aren’t too worried about at the moment.
Whenever I write a piece about Audi Crooks Audi Crooks 6’3″ | C Bishop Garrigan | 2023 State #42 Nation IA it’s never going to be anything crazy or new, just another dominating performance in her teams 30 point victory to make it to the Class 1A state championship. Crooks had 18 points in the first half to help her team cruise to a big lead while all of her teammates around her were knocking down three’s at a high rate. If the guards for this Bishop Garrigan team make open shots, they will be your 1A class state champs before the end of this evening. In the Semi’s Audi was double teamed at all times, much like a triangle-and-2 defense but with one player face guarding her in the post and one behind her in the post. This was an interesting strategy that did not work to well as her teammates still managed to get her the ball by just lobbing at up at the right moments, leading to an easy layup multiple times. Once the opposing team brought a third defender, Crooks would pass out to an open three pointer, which they hit at a high rate giving her a good amount of assists throughout the game. Something that isn’t new to Crooks or this team.
Bria Wasmund Bria Wasmund 5’5″ | PG Sibley-Ocheyedan | 2023 State IA was a game leader and major controller of her team in their Semi matchup VS Dike-New Hartford. Wasmund, a quick and shifty point guard, put on a show at the point position throughout this one. She did a great job of making her defender off balance while attacking the rim, lined up and knocked down a long range shot or two, and most importantly was an all around team player. I like her game a lot. She plays with a shifty-ness and crafti-ness that you don’t see a lot of guards play with at this age or position. She has a mean hesitation into a cross over that could end up with a jumper at any moment or a finish at the rim. At the end of the game they fell just short after a very tough intentional call sealed it for the Wolverines in the last minute, but nevertheless this group and Bria should keep their heads held high, they killed it this season.
Highlights
Molly Joyce Molly Joyce 5’7″ | PG Bishop Garrigan | 2023 State IA maybe a point guard at the next level but man can she shoot the three ball and she showed that off from all over the floor in their Semi-Final victory on Friday afternoon. Joyce, the Truman state women’s basketball commit, is a lefty with an efficient handle, good vision, and great stroke from long range. She is a lefty that, for the most part, always has good balance and form while shooting. She doesn’t turn over the ball often and keeps it all fundament. In this specific contest she did a great job early of finding Audi in the post and making a pass to her high hand. If not, they would continue to rotate the ball until they a had Crooks for a better look or an open jump shot. In the second half when the opposing team started to triple team the post they would pass out and Joyce or another guard would hit a three. A nice formula when you can make some open looks on a bigger floor. This group is going to try for one more championship this evening to cap off the outstanding careers of their senior class. As they say, “one last ride”.