17U: Top Performers on Day 1 of Triumph Region Finals
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There was some very good performances rendered on Day 1 of the Triumph Region Finals in Spartanburg, SC. In this article we look at the players who were the top performers on opening day. Nia Blocton FL #24 PF #9…
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Continue ReadingThere was some very good performances rendered on Day 1 of the Triumph Region Finals in Spartanburg, SC. In this article we look at the players who were the top performers on opening day.
Highlights
Nia Blocton Nia Blocton 6'0" | PF Ridgeview | 2024 State FL was a top performer for the day and had some very respectful scoring numbers over the three games played. Blocton is a different type of big. She is used in press break and sometimes she will even bring the ball up the floor and initiate the offense. Other times Blocton will grab the rebound and start the break herself. At Triumph Region Finals, all of the above applied and then some. Blockton was dominant on the boards and looked like Dennis Rodman out on the court, rebounding her own misses until she could put the ball in the basket.
Maddie Pounds
Maddie Pounds
Maddie Pounds started the game off with 2 steals and a three and that was a premonition of what was to ensue afterwards. The 2024 guard didn’t get an ounce of rest and was forced to play the entire game with no substitutes available. Twenty one points, five threes, and numerous steals later, Pound had led her team to a hard fought nvictory over a very good Richmond Heat team. Pound also dished the rock, was heavily effective in the transition game, and weighed in on defense with great on ball pressure.
Tia Bryant Tia Bryant 6'0" | SF NC GBB | 2026 State NC was a standout on Day 1 and was just an impressive player who did a lot of things at an elite level. Bryant is a work horse on the offensive glass and gets her share of rebounds and put backs. Now a Sophomore, Bryant was also a star in the transition game. She got out on the wing and knew how to finish. Bryant has a unique ability to finish at the rim with shots that are highly contested and are of a high degree of difficulty. Three more years of high school and Bryant might just choose where she wants to play college ball at.
Lydia Van Metre was lights out on Day 1 of the Triumph Region Finals. The Senior guard was an agressive shooting guard who kept the pedal on the medal all game long. Van Metre is a confident and aggressive shooter who puts pressure on a defense. Van Metre did damage behind the arc also penetrated into the heart of the defense when then door was left open. She has a nice floater and can also get to the rim for the layup. As agressive as Van Metre is on the attack, her style of play created a lot of shots for her teammates who loved to shoot the three-ball, cut to the basket, and go back door.
Shamaria Arnold was a force on Day 1. She brought a lot of power to the dance and was outright dominant at times. Arnold scored early and often in the paint and loved to mix it on the inside. Arnold went head to head with Nia Blocton Nia Blocton 6'0" | PF Ridgeview | 2024 State FL and there was a lot of smoke that came from that matchup. When the smoke cleared, Arnold emerged as a standout. Her shot blocking and rebounding abilities were special, and her ability to score in the paint against an elite opponent sealed the deal.