The Cougars Bite Back

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 D2 champions Lansing Catholic Central have had a rocky start to their season, but against cross-town rival Portland, the Cougars looked like a championship-caliber team. Hope commits Anna and [player_tooltip player_id='244291' first='Leah' last='Richards'] both put up double digits with [player_tooltip player_id='281848' first='Gabby' last='Halliwill'] leading the way with 16 points. Lansing Catholic dominated on both ends from start to finish, showing the offensive firepower and defensive grit needed to make another deep postseason run. Here are a few of this week's top performers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["281848"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='281848' first='Gabby' last='Halliwill'] had her sites lined up from beyond the arc on Tuesday for Lansing Catholic. She had multiple 3's and effectively located her hot spots in transition ready to fire an accurate shot off the catch. Gabby hit a mid-range pull up and was effective using behind the back snaps and inside out dribble moves to create space for kick outs to open teammates. Gabby caused turnovers with her pursuit defensively and played well on both sides to help Lansing Catholic earn an impressive victory against a very talented opponent. She led all scorers in the game with 16 points. Gabby is a 2024 CG prospect who D3/JUCO programs should be thrilled to have available this late in the recruiting process.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["521043"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='521043' first='Alexa' last='Weber'] contributed on both ends for Portland against an elite opponent on Tuesday. She battled inside for offensive rebounds/put backs, buried a corner 3, and caused fouls inside on her drives to earn free throws. Alexa verbally communicates in help defense and uses good anticipation to put herself in the right spots to make plays. Alexa moves the ball quickly to open shooters and was an effective interior defender against talented forwards. She is a 2024 prospects JUCO/D3 schools should take a look at who are still finalizing their 2024 recruiting classes.rnrn[caption id=u0022attachment_835881u0022 align=u0022alignnoneu0022 width=u0022300u0022]u003ca href=u0022https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/PXL_20240110_004813886.MP_-crop-3024x1986-1704902338.jpgu0022u003eu003cimg class=u0022size-medium wp-image-835881u0022 src=u0022https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/PXL_20240110_004813886.MP_-crop-3024x1986-1704902338.jpg?w=300u0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022300u0022 height=u0022197u0022 /u003eu003c/au003e [player_tooltip player_id='521043' first='Alexa' last='Weber'], 2024, Jan. 9th[/caption]","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["362588"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='362588' first='Anna' last='Richards'] was one of the most efficient performers in Lansing Catholic's victory on Tuesday. She was deadly from beyond the arc hitting multiple 3's, and also hit an impressive back cut reverse layup. Anna circulated the ball on offense and applied pressure defensively to keep her opponent in check. She showed all the abilities that will make her an exciting addition to Hope at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["244291"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='244291' first='Leah' last='Richards'] put together an impressive performance in a winning effort for Lansing Catholic Tuesday. She controlled the interior by deflecting passes, rebounding, and forcing difficult shot attempts. Leah hit outside shots and finished strong inside through contact. Her quickness, anticipation, and well rounded offensive skills give the Cougars an advantage on both ends. Leah is an exciting prospect for Hope to add from their 2024 recruiting class.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='853024' first='Anna' last='Waterstredt']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Royal Oak","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"Pr1de","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='853024' first='Anna' last='Waterstredt']u003c/strongu003e is a skilled two-way 2024 CG for Royal Oak. She made key plays offensively and defensively on Monday to help the Ravens earn a win. Anna finished a right drive off the glass, hit a buzzer beater 3 from the top of the key, finished left off the glass, and hit a mid range jumper. She uses attack drives to dish to open teammates for assists and will retreat dribble under pressure to see the floor. Anna applies pressure well on the ball and has the quickness to force turnovers with deflections or steals. Anna is a 2024 out there who can help JUCO/D3 programs at the next level and is a prospect coaches should add to their watch list.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='853451' first='Samantha' last='Blaine']","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Rochester Adams","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='853451' first='Samantha' last='Blaine']u003c/strongu003e is a swiss army knife guard for Rochester Adams. Sam has the adaptability to play all five positions and has proven herself capable of leading the Highlanders in any offensive or defensive category any given night. She provides leadership and positive examples for others to follow, missing only two days of practice in two years (Coach Malburg). Sam uses her defensive anticipation and quickness to cause turnover on or off the ball; she also drained two corner 3's for Adams Monday. She is a 2024 guard who could help JUCO/D3's as she develops her ball handling and finishing moves.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659ec0d5166dd"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">At the Buzzer</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evan Bell</strong>&nbsp;is currently a scout for Prep Girls Hoops, Varsity Girls Basketball Head Coach at Lapeer High School, and Director of<strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/lapeer-county-cobras/"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[program_tooltip program_id='715992' first='Lapeer' last='County Cobras']</strong></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>. Our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prepnetwork.com/frequently-asked-questions/">mission</a>&nbsp;at PGH is to cover as many athletes with D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO potential in the state as possible. If you have knowledge of a prospect off our radar, please DM Evan through Twitter @CoachEvanBell or email him at lapeercountycobras@gmail.com</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->