Upon Further Review: The Scorers
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Closing the book on this past high school basketball season with a week spent in the “Film Room”. Putting the ball in the hoop is the name of the game, and here’s the prospects in a recent rewatch of top…
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Continue ReadingClosing the book on this past high school basketball season with a week spent in the “Film Room”.
Putting the ball in the hoop is the name of the game, and here’s the prospects in a recent rewatch of top games from the season who stood out the most at scoring.
Game Watched: vs Choctaw, January 30th
In the first half of this contest, Mathurin looked automatic when her feet where set and she buried three after three. That performance earned her a different defensive look the second half. With Choctaw throwing a “Box and 1” defense at her. At the high school level, junk defenses like that might as well be a sign of respect. Her second half was quieter because of that but her first half display showed why she’s such a feared foe, with more than just sharpshooting from deep.
In fact, what got her going where some plays around the rim. Including a time when she sat a down screen, immediately took advantage of her height for a post up and easily scored. There was another play when she tracked down her own long miss, then got to the cup for a score and foul. Simply put, the Nebraska commit is an offensive weapon. And Mathurin can hurt the opposition in a variety of ways.
Game Watched: vs Bixby, February 29th
There were a couple transition plays and drives that showed Woodard has a real burst with the ball, pulling away from defenders with an extra gear. That makesher an interesting prospect and very dangerous going downhill. Her game is a little wild at times, with the need to continue to improve decision making. Specifically as a passer. But the raw talent is there, as evident with even some defensive plays that also highlighted match her athletic ability. In the overtime of contest, she single handedly tried to win the game for Union when she drilled a big three and soon after recorded another steal and drew a foul. Ultimately, Union won lose ending Woodard’s junior campaign, but she’s an intriguing prospect to monitor during grassroots season.
Game Watched: Locust Grove, March 7th
Shawnee is a big time threat downhill, with snake like drives that weave through defenders in transition and in the halfcourt. She has great footwork on euro steps to avoid defenders or ball fakes to keep them guessing. On those drives she’s an equal opportunity attacker. There was plenty of skilled finishing moments, while also playing with her head up to find open teammates when the defense collapsed on her. Late in the the close game, the sophomore made a smart decision when she snatched an offensive rebound, then dribble out to the perimeter to milk clock. Then a little later, she fully iced the game with an amazing steal where she deflected the pass and then saved it herself to secure the ball and a State Tournament win. Shawnee’s combination of skill, feel, size and solid athletic traits giver her a good future as a collegiate prospect.
Highlights
Game Watched: vs FBC Academy, January 7th
The dynamic lead guard can run the show, but also fill it up with a wide array of scoring abilities. She has a variety of finishing moves at the rin and pin pointing shooting from distance. She’s simply too fast to be stopped in the fullcourt and can shift gears on drives in the halfcourt as well. Speaking of shifting gears, Richardson had some nasty off the dribble pull up makes too. She’s an outstanding prospect that even when on watching on “film” her electric play jumps off the screen.
Game Watched: Rogers, January 4th
It wasn’t the best scoring day for Rice in a double OT battle, but the pace and feel she plays with was still obvious. The second half and the first overtime was filled with good examples of her gliding ability to get to the rim and either draw fouls or finish. Not only as scorer, she plays with her head up in transition and made some good pitch ahead passes to teammates. After watching the full game, a quick check of her Hudl highlights showed multiple games where she had it going from distance. A promising sign for the skilled scoring guard.
Game Watched: Shawnee, January 4th
After a slow start in the first half, Morrison was a relentless attacker and finisher at the rim in a double overtime victory. When her extended floater is working, she looks unstoppable as she drops teardrop finishes over defenders’ arms. Along with scoring on the ball, there was good examples of her working off the ball and coming off screens and attacking quickly. It’s the second viewing of the outstanding junior scorer, and her combination of quickness and handles are big time. She does require further monitoring, to see how she shoots it from distance. A key trait that will be needed for Morrison to be successful at the next level.