One Month Until State: 5A Teams & X-Factors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The race for Class 5 is heating up and teams are beginning to separate from the pack. Each team is going to have an x-factor that can be the difference in big games. We touch on who those players are in this article.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>John Burroughs - Alice Crowley:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crowley brings senior leadership to this squad. She's able to fulfill a number of key roles that this team needs. At 5'10 she defends all over the floor, makes the 3, and can offensive rebound. She has a natural nose for the ball. Great feel for the game. Crowley can be a sneaky double-digit scorer on some nights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lutheran St. Charles - [player_tooltip player_id='509639' first='Chloe' last='Reed']:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reed is without a doubt this team's x-factor and an unsung hero. She's a tall shooter who contributes on the glass in a 3&amp;D role. She has reached double figures seven times this season and has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. A perfect fit to the other pieces on this roster.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cardinal Ritter - [player_tooltip player_id='970764' first='Nyla' last='Scales']:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scales is a high energy freshman guard who packs a punch at 5'3. She's a youthful player that brings a spark while elevating the play of others. She's a joy to watch. Quick and capable of creating her own shot off the bounce. Scales gets paint touches on demand. She has a very bright future.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rolla - [player_tooltip player_id='194417' first='Kori' last='Alcorn']:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has a trio of great seniors that have led them to a memorable season so far. Alcorn is one of those three. She's a guard who plays each game like it's her last. A high effort prospect that can create offense for others. She's a strong playmaker. Alcorn is that true PG that every great team needs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ft. Zumwalt East - Hailey Morgan:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every coach in the state would like to have a player like Morgan. She's a guard who's very good on the defensive end and looks to get others going before her own scoring. A complete player with a high basketball IQ. Morgan makes everyone around her look better. She controls tempo for this team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marshfield - [player_tooltip player_id='803072' first='Peyton' last='Ward']:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ward is one of the best freshman frontcourt prospects in this 2027 class. A great talent that this Marshfield community can look forward to watching over the next three seasons. At 6'2 she has a surprisingly well-rounded game. You wouldn't be able to tell she's a freshman. Very mature and composed.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Warrenton - Nyasia Love:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Love's primary role on this team is to make her open looks and space the floor for others. So far she's doing just that. Warrenton is one of the best Class 5 squads on the eastern side of the state at this point in the year. Love makes big shots and has connected on 31 triples. A consistent offensive player.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->