Bell’s Games of the Week: Openers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>December 4th marks the beginning of our regular season and the matchups couldn't be better. Of the enormous slate of opening week games, here are the competitions I am most eager to see. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Monday, December 4th</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AA Father Gabriel Richard v.s Belleville</strong>, 7 PM @ F. Gabriel Richard HS, Ann Arbor</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of these teams have high-profile prospects who play off each other's strengths extremely well. Kora Williams was one of the most impressive posts at LBI's Mega Scrimmage Saturday, finishing many and one's down low and dominating the low post. The Rodriguez sisters have exceptional ball-handling skills, court vision, and outside shooting. Then there is [player_tooltip player_id='419532' first='Charlotte' last='Miller'] who has the strength and quickness to burst by defenders with finishing moves in traffic and force turnovers on defense. Belleville has one of the best outside shooters in the state, Se'crette Carter. She also has excellent vision and ball handling to create offense under pressure. [player_tooltip player_id='419558' first='Rylan' last='Buschell'] forces turnovers with her quick hands and anticipation on defense; she finishes well around the rim and is accurate from beyond the arc. This matchup is one I anticipate will be an exciting game to kick off the regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Macomb Dakota v.s Oxford</strong>, 7 PM @ Macomb Dakota HS, Macomb</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dakota and Oxford are two teams who have had stretches of phenomenal basketball this off-season. Both teams have high aspirations to make a run in their districts and the playoffs. The Wildcats are a disciplined defensive team that can alter the course of a game using their defensive pressure and anticipation; their ball movement in the half-court creates quality looks at the basket. Dakota is a scrappy and athletic group that will dominate teams that can't handle ball pressure and they have the athletes to finish at the rim with pace. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oxford's [player_tooltip player_id='417892' first='Peyton' last='Richter'] is an effective stretch forward who can face up and finish at the rim while protecting the rim on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='420492' first='Allison' last='Hufstedler'] swarms the ball defensively and provides the toughness needed to win possessions for the Wildcats. Her downhill drives, outside shots, and energy are big for the Wildcats. [player_tooltip player_id='716478' first='Emma' last='Beggs'] is lightning in a bottle who can light up the perimeter with her shooting accuracy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dakota's [player_tooltip player_id='244294' first='Tambre' last='Williams'] is a freaky fast forward with length to finish contested shots in transition and block shots at the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='244295' first='Samone' last='Andrews'] has the inside-outside scoring ability and ball pressure to take over games. She is a tough defensive assignment for any guard because of her quickness, strength, and aggressiveness. [player_tooltip player_id='602875' first='Gabby' last='Brooks-Foster'] is an elusive ball handler who has great poise and vision to dish the rock and has outstanding deep range to kill teams from beyond the arc. This game is going to be explosive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday, December 5th</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Howell v.s Williamston</strong>, 5:30 PM @Howell HS, Howell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howell and Williamston are two programs that consistently perform well in their conferences and have produced multiple exciting finishes as non-conference opponents in the past two seasons. Williamston is 2-0 the past two years in the games, so the Highlanders are looking to flip the script.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howell's [player_tooltip player_id='613940' first='Gabby' last='Piepho'] had about as good a freshman season as possible last year. Her court vision to move the ball sideline to sideline creates effective scoring opportunities for teammates. Gabby has the downhill attack moves to score at the rim and deadly accuracy to shoot beyond the arc. [player_tooltip player_id='635277' first='MacKenzi' last='Duthie'] is one of the most improved players in the Howell program heading into this season. She has competed against top forwards in multiple events this off-season. She has the range to score outside and is an excellent rebounder/rim protector. Duthie passes well out of the high post and has an effective face-up game. I am interested to see her matched up against multiple skilled forwards for the Hornets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williamston's [player_tooltip player_id='521062' first='Reese' last='Gaytan'] is going to GVSU following her senior season, and the Highlanders will have to keep her contained on the offensive end. She is an outstanding stretch forward with the inside/outside scoring ability to cause matchup issues for opponents. Reese wins 1v1 battles because she has the speed, length, and skills to face up or play back to the basket inside. [player_tooltip player_id='735838' first='Kylan' last='Dillingham'] is another forward for the Hornets who could have a great day. She distributes the ball well in the high post to teammates and is a threat to score with her inside/outside range. Kylan battles for rebounds and energizes others on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">At the Buzzer</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evan Bell</strong>&nbsp;is currently a scout for Prep Girls Hoops, Varsity Girls Basketball Head Coach at Lapeer High School, and Director of<strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/lapeer-county-cobras/"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/lapeer-county-cobras/"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='715992' first='Lapeer' last='County Cobras']</strong></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>. Our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prepnetwork.com/frequently-asked-questions/">mission</a>&nbsp;at PGH is to cover as many athletes with D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO potential in the state as possible. If you have knowledge of a prospect off our radar, please DM Evan through Twitter @CoachEvanBell or email him at lapeercountycobras@gmail.com</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->