Game Evals: Mesa at Hamilton

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As winter break comes to an end and the new year begins, high school hoops are gearing up for the second half of the season, with crucial region play on the horizon. Tonight, the <strong>Hamilton Huskies</strong> (10-4) hosted the <strong>Mesa Jackrabbits</strong> (7-7) in what turned into a defensive battle that carried playoff vibes throughout. Mesa heavily committed to protecting the paint, forcing perimeter jump shots on defense, and crashing down hard when the ball made it into the paint—a strategy that proved effective and kept them in the entire game. In the end, Hamilton's length and pressure proved to be the deciding factor, causing turnovers and proving to be too much for Mesa to overcome in the <strong>50-37</strong> Hamilton win. Both teams showcased why they will be major factors when it comes to state tournament play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["205652"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":833720,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"There are many reasons D1 Vermont University was so eager to sign [player_tooltip player_id='205652' first='Savanna' last='Creal']. Savanna plays with a very high IQ and uses her size and shot-making ability to wreak havoc on any type of defender opponents want throw at her. Savanna excels at getting downhill quickly where defenders must make a business decision between giving Savanna a bucket or attempting to defend and risk the chance of her drawing and finishing through contact. Savanna easily leads the team in free-throw attempts, averaging just over 4 a game. She uses good positioning when off the ball on defense, allowing her to anticipate and jump passing lanes effectively. The ability to score from all three levels makes Savanna a mismatch headache for opponents on defense on a nightly basis.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["602907"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='602907' first='Amya' last='Bekele'] can absolutely do it all for Mesa—break presses, dedicated rebounder on both ends of the floor, attacks the rim aggressively, and finishes through contact. Amya shows a very quick release and can knock down 3's with very little space between her and a defender. An above-average athlete, she uses a quick first step to explode by defenders where she makes good decisions from the middle of the floot. Amya is a 'plug-and-play' type of player capable of fitting into any scheme, adding value instantly.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["205644"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":833713,"_player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='205644' first='Reanna' last='Farrington'] is an extremely versatile athlete who impacts the game in many areas. She plays strong on-ball defense, generating turnovers using her length, athleticism, and quick hands. Reanna also possesses above-average court vision, utilizing it when attacking the basket and engaging two defenders before finding teammates for open looks. She is a key piece and perfect piece for Hamilton, particularly in their trapping style of defense they like to play.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["339065"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":833718,"_player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='339065' first='Ella' last='Malee'] will never shy away from contact and is a very physical guard who excels at jumping passing lanes and bullying past defenders on offense when attacking the basket. She is strong in transition and gets many easy opportunities because of her sheer aggression and intensity on defense. Ella possesses an above-average mid-range jump shot that she utilizes when defenses sag off or just need a break from her physicality. She also rebounds very well from the guard spot, crashing the boards hard on both ends of the floor. Opponents must have a player committed to banging the entire game, or it will be a long night for them.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["591493"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='591493' first='Izzy' last='Anderson'] is not your typical freshman; she plays the game as if she has already played 50+ varsity games. Izzy shows great poise, has a natural feel for the game as the backup point guard, and is aware of time and situation when she is on the floor. She saw extended minutes tonight due to early Hamilton foul trouble, and the team did not miss a beat. Already equipped with a smooth jump shot and 3-point range, along with great court vision, Izzy is poised become the next great player at Hamilton and be a name the state will be very aware of.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Anaya Packer","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Mesa","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Anaya Packer always seems to be in the right place at the right time, whether it's grabbing rebounds, helping bring the ball up the court, or moving to open spots without the ball for good looks. A high IQ player, Packer can shoot the 3 efficiently or go into the paint and score on the block. With good court vision, she finds open teammates to put pressure on opposing defenses.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6598d3379ef6b"} /-->