Game of the Week: Bullis vs Sidwell Friends
In this article:
A great way to start the year with two of the of the top ISL Conference teams which coincidentally are to on the nations top teams going head to head. This game was very entertaining from start to finish and…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingA great way to start the year with two of the of the top ISL Conference teams which coincidentally are to on the nations top teams going head to head. This game was very entertaining from start to finish and honestly I wouldn’t have minded watching a couple more quarters of play. Bullis led pretty much the entire game holding a 18-14 lead extending it to 35-26 at the break. Bullis hung within 10 points for most of the second half and got to within four in the final quarter before Sidwell pulled away for a 60-47 victory. Here are a few things that I learned from the game. Ava Yoon Ava Yoon 5'7" | SG Sidwell Friends | 2026 State MD is very underated and is ready for the big time. Bullis has the talent to challenge anyone but plays much better when having a lead, they will need to shoot more consistently to overcome deficits. Finally, both teams are deep, they have players coming off the bench that will start for most of the schools in the nation.
Here are several other things that stood out on the night.
Ava set the pace in the game scoring the first four points of the contest. She finished the game with nine points including a late three that was a backbreaker to the Bulldogs. The way that she handled being pressured didn’t seem to affect her one bit as she handled the ball at a high level. She made one pass into an empty space anticipating the open player before she even made her cut to the basket. Short story: I saw Ava in a game as a freshman, she got in and was trapped baseline and bounce passed between the two defenders, on another play ran down and dove for a loose ball, tapped it back before it went out of bounds to maitain the possession. Final play she lost the ball, the other player was going down for an easy layup. Ava chased the player down which surprised the player making her fumble the layup out of bounds. Afterwards, I saw her in the hall and said good game, “I didn’t do anything”, she replied with her head hangnig down. I told her every play she made and how each one affected the outcome of the game. I told her you did a lot, it’s just not on the score sheet.
Ivanna finished with 19 points and made plays on both ends of the floor. She made some shots from some very unusual angles that are nearly impossible to guard. She used parts of the glass on her contested finishes that are rarely used in this decade. She has an old school level of play with new school athleticism. Once she starts downhill in transition she is hard to stop without fouling and she still usually makes the shot after contact. She has a nice touch with the ability to go from full to soft pullup in one motion.
Zania is one of the premier shot blockers in the region and she put another five on her resume yesterday. She showed the ability to attack the basket from the high post and finished well catching right at the basket. She finished with a game high 24 points and was the main reason that Sidwell was able to control the game. She took a couple of midrange jumpers that rimmed out but it showed that she can make that shot. Her footwork is continuing to improve and she is playing even better than in the begining of the season which is most likely an indication that she will be even better during the post season.
Meghan has mastered the hook shot over the shoulder which she can pull off accuratly from around 8-10 feet out. Not quite the Kareem sky hook but just as effective especially in women’s basketball. She was playing extra hard, not sure if that was to push Zania and Ivanna who had to chase her up the court or she is just going all out because that’s her thing. For whatever reason it was, I liked it and the coaches on the sideline did too. She scored nine points on the night and shot a good percentage where I’m thinking that the Bulldogs should have pounded the ball inside a little more. She also is showing that she can put the ball on the floor to start the break or attack from the wing.
Highlights
We don’t get to talk about Jayda a lot but the freshman is starting to log in minutes and make them count. She had either 10 or 12 points (stats had a lot of stray marks) most in the first half. She dropped a couple of three pointers in the game. She plays with a lot of confidence that matches her skill.
Faith knocked down a three in each half and I would have liked to see her shoot a little more especially with Bullis needing a big play to help bring them back. Her form looks pure and she is open quite a bit, we may see some adjustments both ways in the rematch.