In Game Evaluations: York at Cookville
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In a classic on the the Upper Cumberland, two the best teams in the state faced off Thursday night. Halftime York 28 Cookeville 18 Cookeville came out in a matchup zone in the 3rd, and then began making a run…
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Continue ReadingIn a classic on the the Upper Cumberland, two the best teams in the state faced off Thursday night.
Halftime York 28 Cookeville 18
Cookeville came out in a matchup zone in the 3rd, and then began making a run through the 3rd. Beaty was the only York player that could really get anything going in the 2nd half. She had and incredible night (even though she missed 5 FTs!).
With 2:38 to play, York 37 Cookeville 39. York was up by as many as 12 in the 3rd, and Cookeville refused to give up.
York began upping the defensive tempo, trapping ball screens and caused a couple turnovers, but ultimately simply couldn’t find a bucket at the right time. Cookeville controlled the ball, knocked down free throws, and won this classic!
Regulation: York 44 Cookeville 44
Final (OT) York 45 Cookeville 50
Reese Beaty Reese Beaty 5’8″ | PG York Institute | 2025 State TN looked dominant from the get go. She hit three 3s in the 1st quarter and13 first quarter points. In the 2nd quarter she came out aggressively attacking the rim and quickly found her way to 17 points, and finished with 23 at the half. I’ve been saying since summer that I thought the next “jump” for Beaty would be proving that she can up her scoring when her needs…had she’s proven that multiple times this season.
Down 2, with 2:00 to play, Beaty attacked from the elbow and went straight through the defenders chest for the “and 1” giving her 30. Next possession, Beaty with the 1 dribble pullup. Next possession, gets to the rim for the scoop. Beaty scored 7 points in about a 1:00. She is unreal!
Beaty dropped 35 against one of the better defensive teams in the state…and made it look easy.
Isabella Garcia
Isabella Garcia
Garcia’s drop step over her left shoulder to her right hand is a deadly weapon! I’ve always thought you only needed 1 move, and a counter move to be dominant high school post.
In the 3rd quarter, she came out aggressive as well. I’d love to see her shooting percentage in the paint with her right hand. When she’s able to drop step and get to her right hand, you just don’t see her miss often. On back to back possessions in the 3rd, she got to the same move. I LOVE it! Garcia has one go to move and nobody can stop it! Garcia scored three straight buckets in the 3rd and looked dominant. her touch around the rim is superb, and when Cooper was out due to foul trouble, York had no answer.
Down 3, with :30, Cookeville went back to the well as Garcia hit Emma Cooper Emma Cooper 6’1″ | PF York Institute | 2026 State TN with the drop step to her right hand with the “and 1.” Garcia’s old fashioned 3 point play tied the game at 44.
Werner was attacking the rim hard, and showed strength finishing through traffic in the 2nd quarter. Her energy helped spark a run. She has all the skill in the world, but needs to be aggressive when teams are making a run like Cookeville did in the 3rd. I’d have like to have seen her be more assertive trying to get something going as the offense felt like it was stalling out (except Beaty).
Led Cookeville with scoring in the first quarter. Did a great job in the zone keeping the ball out of the high post, but, Beaty got hot from the top of the key and Cookeville had to go man.
Gillies hit a HUGE 3 in the 3rd quarter to tie the game at 34. Got out in transition hitting a layup to go up 1 with 1:30.
Cooper’s 3 point play in the 2nd quarter stretched the lead to 11 for York in the 2nd quarter. Cooper’s strength has improved tremendously over the past year. In the 3rd quarter, she came out aggresively looking to get to the rim, and drew a few fouls. She battled foul trouble all night and never quite found a rythm.
Highlights
In the 3rd quarter comeback, I thought Gilbert’s energy was key. And not simply as a scorer, she delivered some ropes to teammates setting up easy scores. Gilbert’s explosiveness with the basketball also seemed to put York on their heels in the 3rd quarter. Everytime she touched it in the 2nd half, it felt like a fast break was ensuing. Gilbert has showed great energy as a rebounder (had an offensive rebound putback to cut it to 3).
Highlights
Charlie Roby Charlie Roby 5'6" | PG Cookeville | 2026 TN
Charlie Roby Charlie Roby 5'6" | PG Cookeville | 2026 TN
Roby’s aggressiveness in the 2nd half helped get the Cookeville offense rolling again. Roby has a knack for beating initial defenders, and seeking contact with her body to either create a scoring angle or go to the free throw line.
Macy Hudson Macy Hudson 5'8" | SG Cookeville | 2025 State TN
Macy Hudson Macy Hudson 5'8" | SG Cookeville | 2025 State TN
Gave great minutes as a big guard for Cookeville as they were at a size disadvantage in this contest. Hudson guarded multiple positions, made a lot of heady plays in the 2nd half comeback. Hudson was huge in overtime with an offensive rebound put back, terrific defense, and did a great job on the boards.
I really like Pile’s game as a stretch big for York! The sophomore hit a huge 3 at the end of the 3rd to extend the York lead back to 3. There were times I wanted her to shoot the ball more when York when cold.