Cross-town Clash: CR Xavier vs. Mount Vernon

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I couldn't resist watching a talent-laden matchup between Cedar Rapids Xavier and Mount Vernon on Saturday. Both squads boast guard-heavy lineups, athleticism across the board, smooth shooters and high energy defenders. Part I of my review will feature a few standouts from the Mustangs, who are going to be a serious problem in the WaMaC this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["782508"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67441a29cee35"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I am so excited to see the development of the Franck sisters from their sophomore to their junior year. Courtney, who averaged 6.7PPG last season, was a true floor general on Saturday, showing great situational awareness and poise. Franck showed off a really solid handle, great form on outside jumpers, and some serious shiftiness to get pass defenders and finish at the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='782508' first='Courtney' last='Franck'] looks to be in midseason form and ready to level up in 2024-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["996522"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67441a29cee91"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I really enjoyed watching [player_tooltip player_id='996522' first='Taylor' last='Franck'] play on Saturday. Just like her sister, Taylor has a high basketball IQ and does a good job picking her spots offensively. I was impressed early in the game when Taylor got a defender in the air on a shot fake, drove left and hit a tough contested layup in the middle of the paint. If you don't close out well enough, though, Franck is putting up the three ball - and it's a very pretty shot. [player_tooltip player_id='996522' first='Taylor' last='Franck'] has the skillset and motor to have an excellent junior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["957840"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67441a29ceeda"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Savannah Wright is a name that you may not have heard of yet, but you will very soon. The freshman was everywhere on Saturday and I have no doubt she will leave her fingerprints all over this season for the Mustangs. Wright is quick off the dribble, makes good decisions, and has a buttery jumper. Defensively, Savannah Wright's playing style reminds me of Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo - relentless ball pressure and nonstop energy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["311380"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67441a29cef20"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='311380' first='Sydney' last='Huber'] really showed off her versatility and basketball IQ on Saturday. She does a great job reading screens and knows how to set herself up to score - if you jump under a screen, she's hitting a deep three. If you get hit by a screen, she's curling for the drive or a midrange jumper. In addition, the six foot senior is comfortable shooting the second she crosses half court - contested or not. I anticipate a strong senior season from the future Evansville Ace as a leader by example for her Mustangs squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1005091"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67441a29cef80"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1005091' first='Chloe' last='Meester'] is a vocal player and energy-provider for the Mustangs. The senior center is a physical presence in the paint, ran the floor hard on Saturday, and is excellent at securing rebounds and keeping them out of harm's way. I also liked Meester's ability to seal in the lane and finish in a variety of ways, including a turnaround and drop step. Chloe will be a critical piece of the puzzle if the Mustangs want to make another run at the State Tournament this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->