695Hoops Public vs. Private Challenge Recap Part One

Al Schell January 30, 2024 @ 06:35 PM

The Public vs. Private Challenge was rescheduled due to a storm the previous weekend. We lost 17 of the 26 scheduled games but were able to get nine in the following weekend. The public schools won five of the nine contests this time out and just about all of the games were very competitive. Here is a look at some of the standout players.   [player_tooltip player_id='847263' first='Abby' last='Rieger'], Francis Scott Key, 2025, Guard   Abby was terrific all day. She is a a tough and physical guard and she set the tone for her team all day. She scored and set her teammates up for good looks as well. I like how she mixed it up in the paint and on the boards and played strong team defense. She scored 10 points.   Za'hria Higganbotham, St. Mary's Ryken, 2026. Point Guard   Za'hria played a tremendous game for the Knights, helping them rally from a 14-point first half deficit and win the game. She scrapped on defense and created quite a few fast break opportunities for her team. She was very in transition, either finishing herself or dishing off to her teammates. She applied a lot of pressure to FSK's defense by using her quick first step to get into the paint. She stretched the defense by knocking down some three pointers, which kept them off balance. The lefty floor general has improved her free throw shooting since the fall and her ball handling looks sharper. She led the team with 21 points.   Sydney Thompson, St. Mary's Ryken, 2025, Wing   I always like watching Sydney play. She is a versatile wing/guard that has a high motor and loves contact. She contributed 14 points and 8 rebounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='847260' first='Meona' last='Boykins'], Loch Raven, 2024, Guard   One of my favorite small guards in the area. Meona is a bouncy combo guard that specializes in getting buckets. She showed off her scoring ability last year at the challenge by putting up 24 points and claiming an MVP award. This year she dropped a game high 30 and secured another one in Loch Raven's win over Notre Dame Prep.   [player_tooltip player_id='393084' first='Breasia' last='Coit'], Western, 2024, Center   Breasia had a dominant performance against St. Timothy's. She helped shut down their interior attack and their overall offense as they only managed to score 28 points. Her help defense and dominance on the boards was impressive. She recorded a double double and led the Doves to the win. She is one of the most underrated players in the area. At 6'3" she is an imposing figure and very skilled.

The Public vs. Private Challenge was rescheduled due to a storm the previous weekend. We lost 17 of the 26 scheduled games but were able to get nine in the following weekend. The public schools won five of the nine contests this time out and just about all of the games were very competitive. Here is a look at some of the standout players.