Talent is spotted all around Kansas
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As basketball season has started here in Kansas. Many girls in Kansas have been making a name for themselves on the court, and this is just the start. There is no one school focused on in this article but instead…
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Continue ReadingAs basketball season has started here in Kansas. Many girls in Kansas have been making a name for themselves on the court, and this is just the start. There is no one school focused on in this article but instead many girls from around Wichita and surrounding areas. Most of these female athletes at some time or another will have the chance to compete against each other, if they have not already done so. The competitiveness and hard work these girls put forth to the game is something fun and exciting to watch. These athletes are always bringing a new skill set to every game it is hard to predict their next move.
Valerie is a player I would characterize as a shooting guard. She is lengthy in size, yet does not posses the characteristics of a true forward. One of her strong suits is stealing the ball on defensive possessions. She is a player that is able to put herself in positions in which she can use her size to deflect and steal possessions. Her length adds not only in steals but when it comes to rebounding especially on the defensive end. This helps to create various scoring possessions for her team whether it be on a fast break or creates the space for a play to be ran. She is a player whom likes to help create that space on the floor to allow her teammates to drive to the basket. She is always right behind trying to add another rebound to her stats, but adds put backs to her game as well.
Grace is a versatile player no matter where she is at on the court. She has a long body so it makes it easier for her to score over opponents that are smaller than her. Due to her size in length she is able to help draw out opponents away from the basket so her teammates can score. Her game include scoring in the paint whether it be from drives or one of her reoccurring floater moves. She is not afraid of contact down in the paint, she uses it to her advantage and creates moves to score above the rim. Her game stretches out beyond the arc and she is quite solid at catch and shooting. She lets it fly and does not let a defender stop her from scoring. Defensive players are normally guarding her closely to stop her from seeing the ball but Grace uses that to help create space for her teammates to score.
Aliyah is another lengthy player on the floor. Her long wingspan helps her to get steals on the defensive end. The way she is able to perceive steals before they even happen is truly a talent. She is able to place herself in the right spots on the floor in defensive plays and makes a run with them once she secures the steal. This helps her team get ahead of the opponent allowing them to set up for plays or fast breaks. If she is not stealing the ball she is going up for defensive rebounds no matter how many players are in the paint. Aliyah is making sure to go up and secure the rebound to pass to her outlet no matter where she is on the floor. What helps her establish being a great rebounder is the fact that she is able to locate, seal, and box out before pursuing the ball. Which every time will help her secure the rebound to be hers because the defender is pushed back away from the basket.
Zion is not afraid to shoot the 3. You can definitely see that she is most comfortable above the arc, in really any space. She is a player in which is not afraid to catch and shoot from far on the 3 point line, and most times it is going in. She does not let her small size affect her range at all. Zion strongest point on the floor is a one dribble pull up move, to help her get free of her defender before she lights the rim on fire. She is the one who is able to see the floor and make the calls needed for her team. Zion does not let her small size limit her to only the 3 point line but will make plays inside the key, if the opportunity to shoot on the perimeter is not there. She will find her way into the paint to get a floater every now in them or drop it off to a guard on the wing.
Destiny is a smaller shooting guard. She is able to help the dynamic of the floor and aids in making plays. She is always trying to find a way to get open to get the ball on the offensive end. If she is not the one with the ball she is always able to adjust to the defensive end without a problem. I would have to say some of her strongest moments on the floor are on the defensive end. She is a player who is able to not only stay with her opponent in man to man situations but zone as well. She is a player who will force her opponents to use their dribble and when she does she is trying to steal it and or drive them to another defender. Her hard work on defense is definitely there each possession.