Knight-mare in Cave Creek: Higley vs. Cactus Shadows
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It was a game of polar opposites. Cactus Shadows had the bigger, more experienced, and star-powered roster with Montana State-Billings commit Camryn Koester Camryn Koester 5'10" | CG Cactus Shadows | 2024 State AZ . Higley, on the other hand,…
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Continue ReadingIt was a game of polar opposites. Cactus Shadows had the bigger, more experienced, and star-powered roster with Montana State-Billings commit Camryn Koester Camryn Koester 5'10" | CG Cactus Shadows | 2024 State AZ . Higley, on the other hand, had the smaller and younger roster but is on a mission to gain respect throughout the state. This would be a game where the two contrasting styles would take most of the first quarter for one team to gain an advantage. Cactus Shadows continually pounded the ball into the paint, and Higley continued to beat Cactus Shadows in transition. In the end, the speed and shooting of Higley would wear on the bigger Cactus Shadows team, prevailing with a score of 58-40.
Claire Greenwade Claire Greenwade 5’4″ | PG Higley | 2027 State AZ is a tone-setter for the Knights, and it all starts with her on-ball pressure. With extremely quick lateral movement and a determination to disrupt offensive plans, she is a complete pest, capable of single-handedly ruining offenses. Off the ball, Claire will use her aggressiveness and IQ to occasionally leave her man, either to double-team or anticipate passes that seem safe for opponents. Claire transitions from defense to offense extremely fast once Higley rebounds the ball and makes very good decisions to either score the ball herself or set up another streaking teammate for the score. Claire has a very quick release on her jump shot; defenders should remember the ‘hand down, man down’ rule when guarding Claire.
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Cadence Murdough Cadence Murdough 6’0″ | PF Higley | 2027 State AZ is going to be a big deal around the state very soon. At 6’0″, long, and athletic, her skill set is deep. Her jumper from 20 feet is effortless and soft. Close out too hard, be off-balance, or show a lack of commitment to defending, and she will head-and-shoulder fake you into a nice midrange shot. She is a perfect pick-and-pop player that defenders must know how to properly defend. Cadence can absolutely use her size in the post as well. Defensively, there is not a position she cannot guard, and she is an athletic and powerful rebounder, snatching misses off the rim and firing outlet passes. As Cadence’s game continues to grow and gain consistency, she will be one of the state’s biggest problems for opposing teams in the very near future.