Game Recap: Bryant vs Nettleton

Preview   Yesterday evening, one of the best non-league games was played in Northeast Arkansas. The 5A East Nettleton Lady Raiders hosted the 6A Central Bryant Lady Hornets, and not many would have picked this game to end in overtime.   Both of these teams had similar 2023/24 seasons. Both teams finished with losing records in conference play, still made the playoffs in their respective classifications, and both lost by double-digits in the first round. Bryant and Nettleton are both looking to make another run in the playoffs, and with talented rosters, they hope to go much farther than last season.   Recap   It is not uncommon for a team of a lower classification to host a team of a higher one, but it is uncommon for that lower classification team to hold on to a lead through all four quarters. Nettleton and Bryant were toe-to-toe in the first half, with each team's defense being the driving force of those first two quarters. Both offenses would trade baskets every now and then, but Nettleton would edge out the visiting Lady Hornets with a 28-23 lead at the half. Once the second half started, it was clear that both teams settled in to their offenses. The main focus for both Bryant and Nettleton was to attack the paint, as well as to kick out to open shooters whenever the option was available. At the end of the third quarter, Nettleton still held on to its lead, which was showing signs that it would be growing out of control, as they led 50-39. Despite the double-digit lead, the Lady Hornets would not back down. In the fourth quarter alone, the Lady Hornets would score almost as many points as they did in the first half, scoring 22 and holding the Lady Raiders to just 11. The score was tied for what was possibly the first time all night, and the two squads were set to battle it out for at least one more period.   Both teams somehow showed zero sign of exhaustion in overtime, running hard in transition, attacking the basket at every opportunity, and playing with high activity on defense. Though Nettleton fought hard to regain a significant lead, they could not get it done, as the clutch free throw shooting from the Lady Hornets would do the trick, and the 6A visitors would take a 71-68 victory.   Key Performances from Bryant Players   Both teams fought hard, but Bryant had to overcome a double-digit lead in the second half in enemy territory to come away with this win. Bryant was without some major playmakers for this game, but there were plenty of players who stepped up and pulled this team ahead.    [player_tooltip player_id='465582' first='India' last='Robinson'] was making plays from tip-off until the final buzzer. Robinson was the most successful Lady Hornet when it came to attacking the basket, and one of the better players at defending on the other end.   Robinson scored 18 points, with most of her points being evenly distributed between each half and the overtime period. She was catching the ball on the perimeter or around the elbow and taking it directly to the basket against the teeth of the defense. She also showcased her ability to play with her back to the basket, spinning around the defense or driving past them after facing up. With Robinson attacking the basket as often as she did, she was bound to end up at the free throw line.   Robinson somehow only had four free throw attempts in the game. During one trip, she missed her second attempt, but she managed to find a way to come up with her own miss.   On top of that, Robinson played solid defense, recording two steals, and splashed in two threes, only missing one on the evening.   [player_tooltip player_id='465582' first='India' last='Robinson'] showed that she can easily be this team's top scoring option if they need her to be. If she continues to play with this same effort throughout the year, expect her ranking to increase, and expect more colleges to offer her.     [player_tooltip player_id='1090371' first='Jaisha' last='Williams'] is becoming one of the bigger names in Arkansas girls basketball, and she is only a freshman! Williams recorded her second double-double of the season, and she is one of the main reasons why Bryant pulled off their second half comeback.   Williams had the best game of her varsity career so far, scoring 26 points and pulling down 16 rebounds. Just under half of her rebounds were on the offensive end, and she could not be boxed out by anyone, no matter who Nettleton threw at her. Williams was putting back her own misses, finishing with a soft touch at the basket, and getting to the free throw line. Her trips to the charity stripe were not successful at first, but she hit several clutch free throws to pull this team ahead.   During Bryant's final offensive possession of the fourth quarter, Williams had a chance to take the lead with 10 seconds left on the clock. She needed to hit both but she missed the first. The freshman had nerves of steel, shaking off that miss and burying the second, which sent her team to overtime. After that, Williams continued to head to the line and made several more to help put her team in the lead.   Williams also played well on defense. She made sure to hold down the post against the persistent rim attacks by the Lady Raiders, recording two blocks and two steals. She did most of her damage on that end in the second half.   [player_tooltip player_id='1090371' first='Jaisha' last='Williams'] is going to have a phenomenal high school career, and I can already see the college potential. Not many freshmen are starting this early in the year, and few are given the ball in the clutch and comfortable taking and making late game free throws. The sky is too low of a limit for [player_tooltip player_id='1090371' first='Jaisha' last='Williams'].     Like Williams, [player_tooltip player_id='1060899' first='Brooklyn' last='Kuchinski'] finished this game with a double-double, finishing with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Kuchinski also had a large impact on defense and in facilitating the Lady Hornet offense.   Kuchinski has been a solid role player for Bryant over the last few seasons, but now, her role is expanding. Kuchinski scored most of her 10 points off strong interior attacks, but she did go 50% on pull-up mid-range jumpers from around the top of the key. She had a quick release and showed great confidence with the defense in her face. Her playmaking for others was outstanding, finishing the night with five assists, mostly from finding cutters or feeding Robinson and Williams in the post.   Kuchinski obviously pulled down multiple defensive boards, but her on-ball defense helped stop Nettleton's strong guard play in the second half. The junior finished with four steals and hustled after loose balls throughout the night.   [player_tooltip player_id='1060899' first='Brooklyn' last='Kuchinski'] can effectively run the point for Bryant, but at the very least, she can be a consistent two-way threat.     There are not many teams in the high school ranks who are willing to not only play, but start multiple freshmen. Bryant is fortunate that the freshmen they have called upon are not only ready to play, but ready to help this team win. [player_tooltip player_id='1090888' first='Keila' last='Dailey'] is one of those freshmen who will help lead this team to victory.   Dailey is a pure sharpshooter, and she has one of the purest shooting forms out of anyone in the state. 9 of her 11 points came from beyond the arch, where she shot 3/5. Her catch-and-shoot ability is elite, and if she is somehow left open, then the opposition deserves to have a three splashed on their head. Though only a freshman, Dailey is more than just a shooter.   Dailey cuts hard to the basket, and though she might lack some height to become an effective rebounder, she still snagged two offensive boards.   [player_tooltip player_id='1090888' first='Keila' last='Dailey'] will be another name to watch out for this season, and Bryant might have one--if not the best--freshmen core in the state of Arkansas.    #11 Ziyah Thompson 5'4" SG/PG SR- Ziyah Thompson came off the bench for Bryant, but I was impressed with her ability to make great defensive plays as soon as she stepped onto the floor. Thompson's offensive impact was limited, scoring only two points, but she racked up three steals on the night, which was tied for second-most on the team. She was playing hard and consistent on-ball defense, while also breaking up the passing lanes. Thompson could find a larger role on this Lady Hornet squad if she repeats her effort against Nettleton.   #24 Nia Sims PG/SG SR- Nia Sims was the other starter from the Nettleton game, and though she did not score double-digits like her starting counterparts, she still made an impact on both sides of the ball. Sims scored just two points, but she crashed the offensive glass, made solid up-ahead passes, and started the fastbreak. She was also not shy about driving to the bucket. Sims made her largest impact on defense, blocking one shot and stealing the ball three times, continuing to help the Lady Hornets in transition.   Key Performances from Nettleton Players   Though Nettleton lost this game, you have to admire the job they did against a 6A school, and a 6A playoff team at that. Several of the Lady Raiders put themselves on the map after this game.    [player_tooltip player_id='1091123' first='Kaedyn' last='Hardaway'] led Nettleton in scoring against Bryant with an even 20, scoring inside and out, as well as impacting the game on the other side of the ball.   Hardaway's largest impact was obviously from her scoring. She had three trips to the charity stripe, nailing all six free throws. She also went 3/4 with the long ball. Hardaway was an effective driver, finishing over taller defenders with her floater or straight-line drives.   Hardaway made the Bryant guards uncomfortable throughout the night with her defensive pressure. She was able to come up with two takeaways, but she deflected several more passes, with one coming in almost every quarter.   Jaedyn Hardaway opened the game up primarily as a shooter, but once the defense reacted to her outside presence, she switched up the strategy, and became a driver. Hardaway will have plenty more games of this nature during the 2024/25 season for Nettleton.     From the get-go, [player_tooltip player_id='1091135' first='Kinsley' last='Patterson'] was Nettleton's most reliable scoring option. She was consistently their best driver and Bryant could never truly put a stop to her attacks.   Patterson drives hard, and she uses her strength to push her way through. She is a fantastic finisher who embraces contact. Her 16 points on the night were all from her dribble drives, including the perfect 4/4 she had from the free throw line. On her way to the bucket, Patterson can use a nice behind-the-back dribble to get around the defense, then she can use a step-through move to create more space. If she is not able to get close enough to the basket, she can rise up and knock down a floater.   Outside of scoring, Patterson delivered some nice passes, leading to some much-needed assists. She was also a force on the defensive end, snatching passes away, ending the night with four steals.   [player_tooltip player_id='1091135' first='Kinsley' last='Patterson'] can be Nettleton's go-to scorer any night. As long as she continues to have success attacking the basket, this Lady Raider team can make something special happen in the 5A East.     [player_tooltip player_id='1091129' first='Jessica' last='Cullins'] ran the point for Nettleton in their game versus Bryant, and she did a nice job facilitating, attacking, and defending.   Cullins had impressive handles, and she used that skill to zip by defenders on her way to the paint. She also used her elite speed and explosion, which is especially important when she attacks on the fastbreak. Once she has a look at the rim, she finishes through contact. She has a great finger-roll to flip the ball up and over the defense.   On the other end, Cullins does whatever she needs to do to win. She pulled down 5 rebounds and recorded 1 steal, while also diving after loose balls.   [player_tooltip player_id='1091129' first='Jessica' last='Cullins'] is a solid all-around player who will be very important for this Lady Raider team in 2024/25.    #22 [player_tooltip player_id='1268144' first='Taylor' last='Thomas'] G/F SO- [player_tooltip player_id='1268144' first='Taylor' last='Thomas'] was another player who had a solid all-around impact. She finished with 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals. She knocked down her lone 3-pointer, but she was most impressive attacking on the baseline. On one particular drive, Thomas caught the ball on the perimeter, used a pump-fake to get past a defender, then stopped at the block and used another pump-fake, making the secondary defender jump out of their shoes. She used the pump-fake a second time on her way to the paint, scoring on both occasions. Thomas was also not afraid to put her body on the line, as she drew a charge against a taller Lady Hornet.   #14 Kiyuna Glayson F SO- Kiyuna Glayson came off the bench for the Lady Raiders and had a quiet, but instant impact. Glayson finished with 6 points while going 2/2 from the line. She also had 1 steal and her lone rebound was on the offensive end. She was a reliable target to finish in the paint, and she hustled hard on defense. If I remember correctly, most of Glayson's scoring came late in the game, and not many sophomores can come off the bench and help their team the way she did.   #15 [player_tooltip player_id='1196037' first='Tori' last='Cunningham'] SF FR- This Nettleton team has a lot of younger players who can have a role on this team, and [player_tooltip player_id='1196037' first='Tori' last='Cunningham'] is one of them. You might not expect much from this freshman, but she came in and played hard. She held her own on the backboard and drew a lot of contact whenever she had the ball inside. Cunningham also showed her ability to stretch her game out, knocking down a mid-range shot just a step inside the 3-point line.   Review   Bryant and Nettleton have young rosters, and for most teams, they would be worried about their abilities to impact the game early on in their careers. However, both teams had underclasswomen as starters and as major contributors off the bench, and everyone I mentioned made winning plays on both sides of the ball for their team. Most teams cannot say that they are comfortable sticking a freshman at the charity stripe with the game on the line, or having a sophomore defend the other team's senior. Bryant and Nettleton showed everyone in their conferences and in their classifications that, yes, they have young players on their roster, but as long as that youth can help you win games, it is not a bad thing.

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Jefferson College