Game Report: No. 1 Dale @ No. 10 Preston
The battle of the Pirates took place on Tuesday night as the defending state champs from Dale (15-0) headed up to Preston (9-4) to face off with a team that they had beaten by just five earlier in the season.…
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Continue ReadingThe battle of the Pirates took place on Tuesday night as the defending state champs from Dale (15-0) headed up to Preston (9-4) to face off with a team that they had beaten by just five earlier in the season. In fact, Dale’s last regular season loss came at Preston way back on 11/11/2022. So, perhaps the champs exacted some small measure of revenge with their 12-point victory, finishing the game 47-35 to remain undefeated. There were outstanding prospects on both teams and I am excited to tell you about all of them.
Player of the Game:
Gracee’s name has changed since I last saw her, but her game remains the same. A stretch four that can shoot the lights out, she came out on fire and looked like she was going to be impossible to stop. Her nine in the first quarter, two of which were three-pointers, helped the Dale Pirates jump out to a lead that they would never relinquish. Throughout the rest of the game, she showed the ability to handle the ball and make some tremendous passes as Preston began to focus a little more defensive pressure on her at the perimeter. She is a tough forward who battles hard inside and plays strong defense and was the all-around best player on the court on Tuesday night.
Highlights
Top Performers:
Teague Muncy
Teague Muncy
Teague really could’ve been the player of the game, also, especially with her game high 15 points. She is a tough player, which no doubt comes from her being a high level softball player. She battles hard in the post and Preston did a great job of not giving her anything easy down in the paint. She never got frustrated and never tired. She just kept working, kept taking the beating. She hit the majority of her free throws and opened her scoring with a three, showing that she is an all-around scorer. A tough defender, she made life very difficult for Preston inside and forced them to shoot a lot of outside shots, where they struggled mightily at times. Not sure if she is a softball or basketball player at the next level, but she is definitely a basketball prospect, if y’all wanna shoot your shot, coaches.
Anistyn Garner
Anistyn Garner
It has to be worrisome as an opponent to see the opposing PG be so preternaturally calm all game long. No matter what you throw at Anistyn, she will not be sped up, taken out of her game, flustered, any of it. She is as cold as ice. Cool as a cucumber. She is a smart player who makes great decisions with the ball in her hands and plays some incredible on and off ball defense. She had three made three-pointers to lead Preston in scoring with nine. Every coach needs a point guard like this to lead their team. So far, Neosho CC is the first to pull the trigger, but you’re going to want to get your name in the hat, as well. Trust me.
Shaunassi Jordan
Shaunassi Jordan
I racked my brain as the game went along and tried to remember the last time I saw someone with Shaunassi’s shot blocking ability. I honestly can’t remember an Oklahoma girls’ basketball player of recent memory with her skill at blocking shots. First, you have to have her hops, which were absolutely unbelievable. Then you have to have her length, which was much more than a player listed as 5’9″ should carry. Then you have to have her tremendous ability of attacking the point of release without fouling. Coaches, she’s a senior. I don’t know if she has offers, but I hear you all the time saying that you want players that defend. Well, I’ve never seen one defend quite like this. You’re welcome.
Ava Bell
Ava Bell
Ava had a quiet eight points, if that’s possible when your team scores 47 in the game. All of her points were in the second half and half of them were free throws. In fact, she didn’t miss a free throw. She is a tough player who fights hard inside and was not afraid to take the blows that come with fighting inside for loose balls and rebounds. Turns out, she’s a soccer player and as tough as I though softball players were, apparently soccer players can be even tougher. Preston had some strong players down low and it was not an issue for Dale. As a 2A school, I don’t see how anybody is going to be able to battle them on the boards with players like Ava down in the paint, especially when she’s scoring like she did last night.
Other Standouts:
Karsen Griggs | 5-10 G/F | 2024 | Dale – The KU softball commit works really hard on the boards and brings more of that toughness to the court for the Pirates. She had six points, making all four of her free throws.
Phoebey Finch | 5-10 PF | 2024 | Preston – Extremely tough, very physical inside player made life hard on all of the Dale “bigs.” Went five-of-six from the charity stripe.
Savannah King | 5-5 G | 2024 | Preston – Fiery player who makes life hell defensively for opponents. Had an off night shooting, but still came up with eight points, second on the team.
Kynlee Bullard | 5-10 G/F | 2027 | Dale – Long, tall freshman with a great shooting touch is definitely one to watch. She had three in the second half.