Game Changers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week I was able to attend two games in this years <strong>Girls Open Division Tournament</strong>. A First Round game between #17 <strong>O'Connor</strong> traveling to #16 <strong>Canyon View</strong>, as well as, a Second Round game between #11 <strong>Flagstaff </strong>traveling down to play #6 <strong>Pinnacle</strong>. Both games were absolute thrillers that displayed high level energy from all fan bases and some very special performances from a few familiar names, as well as, some new names to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["825620"],"_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":"On a night where the Pinnacle shooting was not around their normal 40%+ from the field, someone was desperately needed to step up and take over the game another way. Enter Pinnacle junior [player_tooltip player_id='825620' first='Norah' last='Moo'] and her dominating 6'1u0022, u0022country-strongu0022, athletic frame. Norah's dominance does not come as a surprise to most around the state as she has been averaging 12.8 ppg and 13.0 rpg over the course of the regular season. However on this night, Norah had a performance that will take her name and recruitment to another level with a number of college coaches in attendance. Norah is a powerful, young post who is an absolute u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003emustu003c/strongu003e u003c/emu003ethat opponents keep a body (or bodies) on at all times. She is a swift moving rim-runner that teammates are looking to reward with easy, deep post passes on seals around the basket. Norah is an absolute vacuum cleaner on the offensive and defensive boards. Norah shows great promise in establishing post position early, often, and deep where she is willing to turn over either shoulder to finish. As you would guess, Norah led the Pioneers in free throw attempts on the night and for the season. Norah's game is raw but the engine, size, and work ethic are all there and she will soon be attracting big names from the college recruiting world. Norah finished with 31 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 assists against a defending State Champion Flagstaff team.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["608254"],"_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":"There is a very good reason a large number of Arizona college coaches were lined up outside the Flagstaff locker room following their game on Thursday... that reason? [player_tooltip player_id='608254' first='Morningrain' last='Honani']. At 5'6u0022 Morningrain is a u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003ecompleteu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003e point guard and the engine that makes this team go. Morningrain plays with a very high IQ and is as fundamental of a point guard that I have seen in the state this season. What jumps out first when watching Morningrain is her ability to keep most of her dribbling in the middle third of the court where she becomes untrappable and can use her very disciplined change-of-pace/change-of-direction and very good crossover before exploding into the paint. Once in the paint, Morningrain has the ability to use her strength and shoulder to brush off defenders and finish on her own or find open teammates whose defender may have come to help. Morningrain is an excellent passer. Morningrain also shows very good shooting form and a willingness to shoot from the volleyball line which defenders must honor. Once Morningrain has shown this shooting range it becomes very difficult as a defender to keep her in front of you with a variety of jabs and hesitations before exploding. Morningrain is also a more than willing defender who can quickly turn up opposing ball handlers stress levels. She defends low to the ground and has very active hands. Morningrain is currently averaging 13.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, and 3.1 apg while shooting 40% from the field.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["412742"],"_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":"Every team needs an u0022X Factoru0022 especially in the post season. Future opponents have heavily been scouted at this point and there are very few secrets a team can keep. That's where players like [player_tooltip player_id='412742' first='Kamara' last='Moss'] and her performance against higher seeded Canyon View on Tuesday in the first round of the Open Division playoffs make a name for themselves. Kamara was called upon midway through the second quarter following a crucial first period where O'Connor saw themselves needing to quickly fight back from a charged and motivated Canyon View squad. On this night Kamara, would absorb all of missing Ou0022Connor star [player_tooltip player_id='205654' first='Thalia' last='Daniels'] minutes and would be a u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003ekey reasonu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003e for OC advancing to the Second Round. Kamara is a massive presence around the basket at almost 6'0u0022 tall, physical, and playing with a bit of u0022nastinessu0022 under the basket.  Kamara performed very well in the middle of O'Connors 2-1-2 zone where she would continually be defending Canyon View superstar [player_tooltip player_id='608450' first='Jaila' last='Flowers'] in 1v1 situations in and around the paint. When Kamara was not swallowing defensive rebounds she was very active in getting a number of tips and deflections that lead to teammates gaining control of the ball. Kamara's contributions did not come just on the defensive end as she was able to use her size to gain a number of offensive rebounds, put backs, and getting her self to the free throw line. Kamara sealed the victory with a smooth head fake and drive from the foul line. Kamara is a unique player with a unique playing style in our state and will be a name to watch going into the 2024-2025 season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ceafbf14b3e"} /-->