Game Notes: Augusta at McPherson

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a couple snowstorm and general hazardous driving conditions caused postponements the Augusta Orioles and McPherson Bullpups finally tipped off in McPherson Thursday night. After holding a slim first quarter lead the Bullpups forced 9 turnovers in the second to break the game open. The lead would balloon to more than 30 at the start of the fourth, triggering a running clock for the remainder of the contest. McPherson forced 25 turnovers, including 17 steals, and gathered as many offensive rebounds as Augusta had defensive rebounds on the night. Even early into the third quarter both teams were cycling in their full benches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Augusta</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":838285,"width":"114px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/Karter-Alvord-2024-McPherson-Ella-Bourm-2025-Augusta.jpg?w=442" alt="" class="wp-image-838285" style="width:114px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">McPherson 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='231272' first='Karter' last='Alvord'] and Augusta 2025 Ella Bourm. Photo: Robert Kelly</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":838299,"width":"134px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/Rylee-Pfiefer-2026-Augusta-Maryn-Sandbo-2026-McPherson.jpg?w=445" alt="" class="wp-image-838299" style="width:134px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Augusta 2026 Rylee Pfiefer and McPherson 2026 Maryn Sandbo. Photo: Robert Kelly</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ella Bourm</strong>, 5'8", PG/SG, 2025 - There is a lot to like about Bourm's game. A floor leader with the most mature game on the team she will stroke the three ball from all over the perimeter with range. She also finished on the fly. I really liked a challenged floater Bourm lofted in the lane off a left to right take. A solid passer in the give go game as well. She is not quite there defending laterally on the perimeter, but she recovers well. Definitely one to watch. Despite 6 turnovers and having a couple three balls swatted she led the Orioles with 9 points and picked up 3 rebounds and 2 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emily Brundege</strong>, 5'9", PF, 2024 - The senior forward is a very solidly built, scrappy, hard playing garbage collector. She was always around the basket to punish whomever failed to block her out attacked the basket. She also attacked the basket when given the opportunity. Brundege collected a team high 8 rebounds on the night. She also picked up 6 points, a steal, and a assist. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rylee Pfiefer</strong>, 5'5", SG, 2025 - Pfiefer put in nearly 11 minutes off the bench. Showing solid speed and some headiness she canned a three as part of her 5 points. Pfiefer also picked up 2 of the team's 7 steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">McPherson</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1114679' first='Brooke' last='Doile']</strong>, 5'8", SF, 2026 - With several returning and would-be freshman players not suiting up this season Doile is taking full advantage of her opportunity. In the top rotation with the many highly experienced, battle tested upper classmen she led the team with 5 assists in just under 9 minutes of play. A coachable forward with good length she played well within the scheme on both ends of the floor and showed solid speed in transition play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":838301,"width":"110px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/Jayla-McLeod-2024-McPherson.jpg?w=432" alt="" class="wp-image-838301" style="width:110px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">McPherson 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='606251' first='Jayla' last='McLeod']. Photo: Robert Kelly</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='606251' first='Jayla' last='McLeod'], 5'9", PF, 2024 - McLeod led all scorers with 18 points on 9/13 shooting. Long and athletic she continues to show good hops. Those hops were put to good use as she was usually a forearm's length above the crowd going after rebounds. And if McLeod could not get the rebound she routinely tipped it to where a teammate could get it. Experienced and smart she was unstoppable in the paint out of her post game. Generally a solid perimeter and physical post defender I would like to McLeod improve defending the dive in the give-and-go game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='719105' first='Jaela' last='Thompson'], 5'9", SF, 2027 - Among the top freshmen in the state Thompson not just poured in 17 points but was extremely disruptive defensively, generating 8 of the team's 17 steals. She earned them helping on entry passes from the weak side, jumping passing lanes on the perimeter, and from defending the ball. Athletic and creative with the ball she finished off post-ups, in transition at speed, and put up points off jumpers. Thompson also pulled down 7 rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->