Early Work: Top 10 Performers Through the First Round of Playoffs

Phew! Lots of good stuff to wade through here. Check out ten players who showed out to start the postseason in the 802!   [player_tooltip player_id='1046824' first='Anya' last='Davis'], 5'6 PG - Colchester H.S. Class of 2027   The bulldog PG knows how to run the show. Her intuitive orchestration and court awareness led to six assists, getting teammates going. Moreover, Anya posted a cool 14-points with her slashing ability and shooting off the catch. Add in her tenacious, physical defensive ability and on-ball pressure and it's a tough matchup at the 1. Davis' 14-6 gives you a clue to her offensive production.   [player_tooltip player_id='446536' first='Nicole' last='Norton'], 5'9 G - Colchester H.S. Class of 2024   The 2-guard can heat up! Norton went for 23 points in the opening round, using her strong 2-level scoring touch to break out. Nicole's a sniper off the catch and a good reader of closeouts; mix in her athleticism + finishing and she's sure to produce some offense inside and out. Norton's a lengthy, agile defender too, opening up the transition game off of live-ball turnovers and boards. Two-way game.   Meghan Thomspon, 5'8 G - Mount Mansfield Union H.S. Class of 2025   Shooter! Everyone knows, or ought to know, where Meghan is on the floor at all times. Thompson has the green light and for good reason, going for 27 in this one. Her quick release off the catch ensures she doesn't need much space. Then you sprinkle in her slashing when defenders fly at her and you have some drives for short-range action too. Her defense was on lock, collecting five steals which certainly opened up the fastbreak flow. A bucket getter to say the least.   [player_tooltip player_id='576153' first='Alexa' last='Rabidoux'], 5'7 G - Essex H.S. Class of 2025   It's been fun to see the emergence of Lexi's game over the past couple seasons, and it's coalesced into some big scoring nights. Rabidoux has put in the work to sharpen her shooting both off the catch and the bounce, collecting 18 in classic fashion. Using screens well too, Lexi found space on the perimeter for 3s, and when the defense recovered, she either worked the ball or attacked the cup. Add a little transition offense as well because she can really get out ahead of the pack. A critical part of EHS.   [player_tooltip player_id='645601' first='Sabine' last='Brueck'], 5'8 G - North Country Union H.S. Class of 2025   There are some players who seem to impact every single play, Brueck is one of those players. Sabine's defensive activity is some of the best in VT with her agile, athletic movement and long wingspan. She's a constant pest on the ball and in passing lanes, as evidenced by her three steals. Moreover, she tracked down rebounds at a good clip, reeling in seven from the guard slot. Her offense is often greased by her defensive work, and she posted 14 points and four assists with transition offense and one or two 3s. She's everywhere.   [player_tooltip player_id='975815' first='Maysa' last='Long'], 5'11 F - Mount Mansfield Union H.S. Class of 2027   Maysa is already so reliable, even as a freshman. Long is a shoo-in for a double-double almost any night with her interior activity and post feel. She's a relentless pursuer of the basketball, collecting 13 rebounds in the opening round and you can be sure those came on both ends of the floor. Additionally, Long had a number of post moves and 2nd chance buckets, culminating in a 10-point outing. Double-double machine.   [player_tooltip player_id='496182' first='Ruby' last='Dasaro'], 5'7 G - BFA St. Albans Class of 2024   The quickness, the sheer will, and the heart Ruby plays with is a joy to watch. Dasaro collected 13-points to open the playoff push for BFA, doing it by turning defense to offense and getting to the rim. Agile and lengthy, Ruby pestered ballhandlers and was integral to juicing the transition game. The fiery PG orchestrates it well in the halfcourt too, getting BFA into their stuff. It was a close opening round W but Ruby held it down.   [player_tooltip player_id='645694' first='Eloise' last='Liley'], 5'8 G - Harwood Union H.S. Class of 2025   Eloise is someone who will absolutely wear you down over the course of a game. Liley's ball pressure, tracking of loose balls, presence in the passing lanes, and rebounding all came together and give HU the edge. Liley posted 17-points in this one, and a lot came in transition. She racked up seven steals and four boards and pushed the pace. Eloise's halfcourt operation was tightly knit, taking care of the ball and making plays by knifing into the second layer. An adept two-way guard.   [player_tooltip player_id='649632' first='Natalie' last='Royer'], 5'7 G - Lamoille Union H.S. Class of 2024   It's been Natalie's operation as the floor general that has bolstered this Lamoille team to a #3 seed. Royer's savvy orchestration, slashing, and ball pressure had LUHS clicking. She collected 15-points off of drives and in the fastbreak, using her five rebounds and three steals to get out and push when the opportunity presented itself. She's a cagey guard who'll exhaust you with fullcourt D and untamed pursuit of the rock. Royer can play.   [player_tooltip player_id='645688' first='Peyton' last='Guay'], 5'8 G - West Rutland School Class of 2025   When I saw Peyton had 20, I had this nonchalant, "of course Peyton had 20" train of thought. Partly because Guay is liable to go for 30 any given night, but you have to still respect the 20-piece. She's another player who is in every play, impacting the game with anticipation in the passing lanes and tight rotations. The floor general orchestrates the show and gets her offense in myriad ways; as a creator and as a slasher, or off ball as she flies off screens or cuts to exploit gaps. Heady with hustle and unlimited effort.

Phew! Lots of good stuff to wade through here. Check out ten players who showed out to start the postseason in the 802!