DCG Mustang Team Shootout: 5 Players Who Impressed Monday

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The DCG Mustangs Team Shootout had some of the best teams and players throughout the state Iowa all competing in the same gym on Monday. There were several matchups that would be making big headlines if they were being played throughout the season but since its summer league, it's more under-the-radar type action. Over the next day or two I'll be highlighting some of the players who performed the best throughout their contests. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='793115' first='Erica' last='Rust'] - 2024 - PF/Center - Harlen Community High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='793115' first='Erica' last='Rust'] showed off some impressive skill on Monday during her contests with her Harlen Community high school team. Rust showed size, strength, and some skill in the post. She uses her size well and isn't afraid of contact. In each game that she played she had around 10-20 points and 5-10 rebounds. Rust runs the floor well and has a nice motor to go along with everything else she brings to the court. If her team can figure out how to rotate the ball a little bit more to give her some better angles this season, she is going to have a senior year to remember. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='246106' first='Vanessa' last='Bickford'] - 2024 - CG - DCG High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='246106' first='Vanessa' last='Bickford'] looked in top shape when she took the floor on Monday for her DCG Mustang team. She controlled the pace of each game, scored in waves from all over the court, and defended every position. This team is going to run a lot of sets for Bickford this season and it's going to pay off. As long as everyone else steps up around her once teams start to double, they are going to be just fine. This year will be more interesting to see how they will put the "puzzle" of their team together but coming off of a season like last, I'm sure they are going to figure it out and charge into this year guns blazing. Bickford leading the pack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='314095' first='Lindsey' last='Davis'] - 2024 - SG - Nodaway Valley High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='314095' first='Lindsey' last='Davis'] showed why she is such a high scoring guard in each game on Monday. Davis has fantastic form with a great stroke from deep. When she catches she always squares the ball to her body and gets a good look at the basket. For being a player that led the state in scoring last year throughout her class, she displays unselfish passing in the open court and in transition. This team has every piece to make another big run this season. If the guard duo of Davis and [player_tooltip player_id='510277' first='Izzy' last='Eisbach'] stay consistent and efficient, its going to be a long year for their opponents. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='497067' first='Aubrie' last='Haynes'] - 2025 - PG - Bondurant-Farrar High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='497067' first='Aubrie' last='Haynes'] isn't a name that many may know but they should. Haynes is the starting point guard for the Bondurant-Farrar Bluejays and she shows glimpses of something really special. A point guard who isn't the biggest in height, but can pass to anyone, in any which-way she pleases, while being able to knock-down an open look from the field. She understands the defense and spacing around her well which gives her a clear advantage against her opponents. There wasn't one pass today that she miscalculated to the post. It was quite impressive. Moving forward keep an eye on this team. They have two lengthy and athletic forwards, along with a true post and a true point guard in Haynes. If they run some efficient action in games, they are going to get some big wins this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='686900' first='Addie' last='Abens'] - 2027 - SF - DCG High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='686900' first='Addie' last='Abens'] comes into her freshman year with some promise on the basketball court. A player who stands between 5'10-6FT, moves well on and off of the ball, while showing she can score a little bit. Abens has the ability to score near the rim with her size, further away on the catch and shoot, or off of the dribble once she puts it on the ground. In her contests on Monday I watched Abens score from all three levels on the court, a few different times. I'm not sure how much of the varsity floor that she will see this year because of how deep this varsity roster is but she definitely is going to get a shot. A player like this, with some ceiling to grow, can be a big piece when looking toward the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->