Scrimmage Recap: CR Jefferson Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As I mentioned in Part I of my gameday recap, I was able to catch Cedar Rapids Jefferson take on Central DeWitt on Tuesday for a preseason scrimmage. This is a somewhat young J-Hawks squad, with a few experienced seniors teaming up with underclassmen. Despite the preseason loss there is lots to be excited about in J-Hawk country. See which players stuck out to me in the showdown!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1092002' first='Ava' last='Erger']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"CR Jefferson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67401c40b708e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I really liked [player_tooltip player_id='1092002' first='Ava' last='Erger']'s style of play and demeanor for the J-Hawks. She is aggressive off the catch and attacks the basket with speed, she's got solid form on her jumpers, and she does an excellent job boxing out. In addition Erger is a strong passer - from hitting post players' hands to backdoor cutters. I think Ava has the potential to be a leader by example and a poised contributor for Jefferson this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["641994"],"_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-67401c40b70ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='641994' first='Angeline' last='Troh'] is an energizer bunny and her defensive effort was contagious on Tuesday. She's got quick hands and feet and she was able to pick up on ball handlers' tendencies quickly, leading to multiple steals throughout the game. I also like the pace she brought to the game - any time she received an outlet pass or brought down the rebound, she was pushing for a fast break. Troh was also able to show off her handle in the half court as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["642075"],"_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-67401c40b7134"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='642075' first='Lillie' last='Spicer'] is the engine that makes the J-Hawks go. The six foot sophomore does a little bit of everything, and does it with all out effort. Despite facing double teams throughout the scrimmage Spicer was a rebounding machine, fighting for offensive rebounds and a handful of and-1's. Rebounding aside, Spicer is a strong presence in the paint and has a great drop step. In addition I really liked her discipline against drivers, going straight up and forcing defenders to shoot over her. I predict a strong sophomore season for Lillie.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1092004' first='Morgan' last='Hewitt']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"CR Jefferson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67401c40b71b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I think [player_tooltip player_id='1092004' first='Morgan' last='Hewitt'] will be a key role player for CR Jefferson this season. She plays much larger than 5'8" and took on post players from the perimeter multiple times during the scrimmage. I loved her hustle as well - if there's a loose ball on the ground, you can bet Hewitt is diving for it. She also got the crowd on its feet in the second half, stealing the ball off a defensive rebound and drawing freethrows. Hewitt will be a spark for her team this year and I think a Hewitt + Spicer combo would be a solid look in the J-Hawk frontcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["641993"],"_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-67401c40b71f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='641993' first='Kymara' last='Atwood-Mayes'] is another guard that I think will bring energy off the bench for CR Jefferson. She's got a good intuition on defense and serious speed off the dribble. One of my favorite plays from the scrimmage was Atwood-Mayes staying vertical for a big time block, catching the rebound, and beating everyone down the floor for a coast to coast layup. I'm looking forward to Atwood-Mayes' sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->