Game Tape: Scrimmage Scenes Around VT

The regular season is just around the corner, and this week we have teams across the state tuning up with scrimmages. Let's take a look at the top performers from a couple of scrimmages I caught up on via film.   Game 1 Standouts: Mount Mansfield Union H.S. vs Harwood Union H.S.   [player_tooltip player_id='649624' first='Brianna' last='Brownell'], 5'9 W/F - Mount Mansfield Union H.S. Class of 2024   Brianna's taken the transformation from forward to a nice hybrid wing/forward. Her 3-ball was falling as consistently as ever, and just the catch, shot, and release is as fluid as I've seen. Moreover, she did her typical hustle work on the glass, collecting second chance points, running the floor, and defending inside/out at a high-level. Brianna looks to be the motor behind this squad.   Bella Schultz-Mitchell, 5'10 W/F - Mount Mansfield Union H.S. Class of 2025   Bella's ability to balance the floor on both ends shone through in this one. At times she orchestrated the offense, moved well off ball, and collapsed the defense with timely slashes, showing sound decision making in numerous situations. On the defensive end, Bella provided tough help and weak side defense with her length and aware rotations. Schultz-Mitchell really ties this group together.   [player_tooltip player_id='645675' first='Meghan' last='Thompson'], 5'8 G - Mount Mansfield Union H.S. 2025   Shooter's shoot, and Meghan was getting 3s up vs Harwood at a good clip. Her efficiency off the catch grew as the game wore on, and her tendency to catch and attack closeouts continues to grow. Moreover, she showed some adaptability defensively, playing low in the 1-3-1 defense and matching up well on the perimeter when matched up. Thompson's shooting, gravity, and developing distribution will be key for this group.   [player_tooltip player_id='645694' first='Eloise' last='Liley'], 5'8 G - Harwood Union H.S. Class of 2025   With Liley, you know you're going to get a hardnosed game. Eloise impacted the contest with her hustle and will. She collected boards on both ends, applied nice pressure defensively, and sought to create offense against a juggernaut of morphing MMU defenses. She attacked gaps, got shots up in the mid-range, and fed teammates when the defense collapsed. Eloise brought the energy.     Game 2 Standouts: Essex H.S. vs Windsor H.S.   [player_tooltip player_id='496099' first='Audrey' last='Rupp'], 5'8 G - Windsor H.S. Class of 2025   Audrey's impact on this game went wide and far. Defensively, Audrey's peskiness was a constant as she hounded ballhandlers, forced tough shots at the rim, and wreaked havoc with her anticipation in the fullcourt. Moreover, she made tons of plays on the other end with savvy drives which featured a skilled floater, hit ahead passes in transition, and general orchestration. Rupp will be a force all season, keep tabs.   [player_tooltip player_id='496193' first='Sophia' last='Rockwood'], 5'8 G - Windsor H.S. Class of 2025   Alongside Rupp, Sophia brought the heat with her tough two-way play. Her ability to create offense in transition and the halfcourt was evident, making good reads to advance the ball, hit cutters, attack closeouts, and force tough defensive rotations. I like how much pressure she put on the rim too, finishing well and in turn opening up the post and weak side cutters. Plus, her defensive might and awareness was quite crisp. Super solid work from Rockwood.   [player_tooltip player_id='446535' first='Breya' last='Montague'], 5'10 G - Essex H.S. Class of 2024   EHS looked a bit out of sorts throughout the game, however, Montague never wavered in her approach. Breya made a concerted effort to continually organize the offense, hit teammates in scoring position, and score the rock from 3, at the rim, and at the FT line. Plus, she caused some disruption with her long frame and anticipatory defense. Montague's two-way impact is the backbone of this EHS team.

The regular season is just around the corner, and this week we have teams across the state tuning up with scrimmages. Let's take a look at the top performers from a couple of scrimmages I caught up on via film.