Bright Lights: Top Performers- 802 D2 Final

The bright lights have all but faded now, but that championship glimmer hasn't North Country looked poised for a big win after a 17-2 opening run. But FHU stayed the course, got stops, found open looks, and generated a well-rounded team offense to overcome the initial cold streak. Jump in and get a feel for the best players in the D2 Final!   [player_tooltip player_id='645601' first='Sabine' last='Brueck'], 5'8 G - North Country Union H.S. Class of 2025   After a while you begin to get used to what Sabine does, but you still have to sing her praises and boy does she deserve it. Brueck went for 14-points, 15-boards from the guard slot, and four steals, signifying just how dynamic of a player she is on both ends. Moreover, Sabine did 90% of the ballhandling for NCU, handling pressure, slashing to the rim, and organizing them into their stuff. She found her offense at the rim and in transition with her patented lay-ups at full extension. Her defensive effort was enormous as she collected tons of boards, turned ballhandlers over, tracked down loose balls, and did everything she could to help NCU hang on through the 4th quarter. An all-around talent.   [player_tooltip player_id='645778' first='Katelynn' last='Hadwen'], 5'7 G/W - Fair Haven Union H.S. Class of 2025   What Hadwen did for FHU on offense was absolutely critical. Kate provided 12-points with her inside scoring, finding the bucket off of strong drives to the cup and a couple off of post-ups too. Moreover, she facilitated for stretches and wisely read defensive movements to hit teammates in open space time-after-time, cracking NCU's defensive seal and putting them into a scramble which led to multiple assists. Defensively rugged, Hadwen used her strength, anticipation, and court awareness to disrupt both on the ball and off. Savvy play from a rising '25.   [player_tooltip player_id='834838' first='Isabelle' last='Cole'], 5'11 W/F - Fair Haven Union H.S. Class of 2025   Phew, Cole had the 3-ball absolutely sighted in! Isabelle's ability to space the floor as a 4/5 proved critical as she consistently nailed catch-and-shoot treys from various spots on the floor via nice drive and kick action. She sprinkled in a few sly rim finishes too off of back screens out of FHU sets, leading all with 19, and she generally kept the ball moving and grooving when the closeouts came. Defensively it was just super solid work. Cole took care of her matchups as she fluctuated between guarding post-oriented players to perimeter-oriented ones. Clinical.   [player_tooltip player_id='649634' first='Lily' last='Briggs'], 5'8 G - Fair Haven Union H.S. Class of 2024   It wasn't Briggs' shooting touch that set her apart in this one, rather it was her defense. Lily did make some plays offensively, using her gravity as a threat and ultimately making some nice feeds on the perimeter and creating off of her drives. But more so, it was the defensive effort that caught my eye. Lily got the assignment on NCU's best perimeter player and repeatedly forced tough plays. Briggs was moving her feet, anticipating drives, and even poking the ball out to convert on a few steals. Lily adjusted, trusted her teammates, and grinded on defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='649631' first='Aaliyah' last='Wilburn'], 5'11 F - North Country Union H.S. Class of 2024   Part of what made the opening 17-2 run from NCU happen was Wilburn's versatile offensive activity. Aaliyah showcased her intuitive play, operating from the high post as a facilitator, stepping up for ball screens, and making reads out of the short roll for both buckets and dishes. The perimeter feel was evident too; Aaliyah was confident and poised as a passer and she knocked down a trey as well. I've got to add in Wilburn's defensive versatility too. She rebounded the rock and showed really sound perimeter footwork defending ball screen actions. Solid game from a very solid player.   Victoria Kelly, 6'2 F - Fair Haven Union H.S. Class of 2026   There aren't many young post players like Kelly in VT. Victoria put her stamp on this one with a bit of post scoring and rim protection. Kelly's touch within 15-feet has impressed but she kept it closer to the cup in this game, turning with a strong shoulder for nice hook shots at the cup. Defensively Victoria challenged NCU's drivers, collecting a few blocks on the way. Her stout frame, strength and timing proved important both as a scorer and shot blocker. Keep an eye on her as an emerging post presence.   Maddy Perry, 5'7 G - Fair Haven Union H.S. Class of 2025   Every championship team has that player who takes care of details. Maddy is such. Perry brought gluey offensive work as a facilitator at times and as an off-ball mover + connector off the catch. Maddy's drives were in control and she finagled a couple lays and some feeds as the defense was forced to collapse. Moreover, Maddy nailed a clutch 3 to finally take control late in the 4th and then provided some ice at the FT line to secure the game. And you've got to account for her defensive activity which stitched everything together. Perry was ready for the moment.   Josi Fortin, 5'9 W/F - North Country Union H.S. Class of 2025   It was Josi that stitched a lot of NCU's stuff together, especially on defense. Fortin brings a physical, versatile presence to that end of the floor with her high effort output, rotations, footwork, and pursuit of rebounds + loose balls. Plus, Josi dropped in a relatively quiet nine points which she found off of 2nd chance points and off little dump passes received at the dunker spot. A defensive swiss-army knife with good offensive instincts.   [player_tooltip player_id='649622' first='Maya' last='Auger'], 5'8 G - North Country Union H.S. Class of 2024   In a game where rhythm just evaded NCU after the opening quarter, Auger worked hard to provide the Falcons with her needed deadeye shooting. Maya was able to nail a few 3s, putting up 10 points on the night with her spot-up shooting. Furthermore, she added a solid defensive presence on the perimeter, but fouls added up and in turn that messed with her rhythm. A solid final effort and season overall from Auger.

The bright lights have all but faded now, but that championship glimmer hasn't North Country looked poised for a big win after a 17-2 opening run. But FHU stayed the course, got stops, found open looks, and generated a well-rounded team offense to overcome the initial cold streak. Jump in and get a feel for the best players in the D2 Final!