Johnston's Winter Tip-Off Classic 2024: Morning Movers

Saturday marked Johnston's Winter Tip-Off Classic 2024 event. This event is one that takes place on the Saturday moving into the Winter break each season, bringing in several teams from across a number of different states, to all compete against each other under one roof. The morning slate of this event this season brought together Norwalk vs SEP & Des Moines Valley vs Omaha Westview. In this piece we talk about some of the prospects that stood out the most through these two contests and how the future of the rest of their season might looks ahead.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    [player_tooltip player_id='882865' first='Jo' last='Metoyer'] stole the show on Saturday morning at this event with her high level play making ability on both sides of the basketball against a very talented Des Moines - Valley program. In the end, Westside got the W by a narrow victory of 52-48. It seems like every time down the floor, Metoyer is making a play happen. Offensively, she is shiftier than most. The natural rhyme with the ball in her hands is impressive for her age as it seems extremely seasoned and skilled. Defensively, she is a menace. Someone that is asked to be an annoying defender in the full court and she really dominants in that aspect of the game. Over time, the biggest question for Metoyer and her recruitment will be her efficiency with the ball in her hands. In the way of, at times she just needs to show that she can keep it simple and take what the defense gives her. If she does that, while keeping her high level play making ability, she is going to end up being a recruit with a ton of collegiate interest at the end of her high school career. She came into Iowa today and shined over most. Something she should be proud of moving forward.     I saw a different type of game out of [player_tooltip player_id='863281' first='Hallie' last='Vander Weerdt'] on Saturday morning in her contest against Norwalk. Vander Weerdt played one of the best games of her career so far in my eyes, showing that she can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor as she stands at 6'1. She was using a powerful drop step to sit and seal her opponent for easy buckets next to the rim, she was protecting the rim at a high rate against Norwalks impressive offensive roster, all while she was also putting the ball on the floor and getting to the middle of the defense for a bucket or she would drive middle to hit an open teammate with an assist on the opposite side. All in all, if Vander Weerdt keeps production and play like this going, SEP is going to be a dangerous team come Playoff time.     I really enjoy watching [player_tooltip player_id='892063' first='Ashlee' last='Brown'] of Des Moines - Valley and what she brings to the court. Brown isn't the type to hit you with anything crazy or flashy. Instead, she uses fundamental and hard-work to create her production. She has demonstrated that she is one that is willing to take her time and show her moves on a consistent basis, really selling whatever she is attempting to do on that side of the ball. Defensively, she works hard. She can move between a few different positions and yield successful results, no matter where she is stationed. All of this ability was on full display on Saturday. She ended up fouling out in her contest but that wasn't due to a lack of effort. That is for sure.     To play in college in any form or at any level, you must be able to defend your position. When you can do that, you'll see a roster and you'll see the floor in most situations. If you can do that and you can also score at a thorough rate, the better the situation you put yourself in. Someone that is in a GREAT situation in those aspects is [player_tooltip player_id='941120' first='Kimora' last='Jenkins'] of Westside (NE). Jenkins is a hard-nosed defender, that can keep her opponent on an island when no one else is around. She doesn't ever need help to stay in front of everyone and she is also a prospect that FLYs to help side, if need be. She always has her eyes moving and that leads her to getting on the floor for a ton of hustle-type plays. Not to mention, in her contest today Jenkins hit a midrange pull-up with 35 seconds left to go up 2 points and they never gave that lead back. This wasn't her first bucket of the day but her killer instinct in this moment to make that shot and to get back on defense was noteworthy. I'm not sure where Jenkins is going to go at the end of this season but whoever gets her as a college recruit, is going to love how hard she competes. I can guarantee it.     [player_tooltip player_id='1117188' first='Pearl' last='Brown'] of Norwalk High School is one of their role players this Winter, that makes a big difference on and off of the ball by the looks of it. Brown is a SG/CG, coming in at 5'9, she has a great touch on the ball, she doesn't make stupid mistakes, she doesn't really turn it over, and she understands her own ability for the most part. When you add all of that together, you see positive results and that is what I saw today from Norwalk. Brown has a lighting quick release while shooting the ball offensively off the dribble and she was decisive in her decision making. In the end, this all helped the Warriors secure a W at this event and I'm sure that will be the case so more times this season as well.     If you want to talk about a hard working prospect, that is willing to mix it up with any opponent, at any given size, then look no further than SF - [player_tooltip player_id='1117190' first='Ava' last='Carlson'] of Norwalk. Carlson is a team captain, while she tries to hold her own under the hoop. In this event, Carlson had to guard a 6'2 Post and she did all that she could. She fronted the post, worked on every possession to get around her, and she never gave up on the play. Didn't matter if it was the 1st quarter or with 2 minutes left in the ball-game. You could tell that Carlson was working relentlessly and that stood out to everyone watching this game unfold.

Saturday marked Johnston's Winter Tip-Off Classic 2024 event. This event is one that takes place on the Saturday moving into the Winter break each season, bringing in several teams from across a number of different states, to all compete against each other under one roof. The morning slate of this event this season brought together Norwalk vs SEP & Des Moines Valley vs Omaha Westview. In this piece we talk about some of the prospects that stood out the most through these two contests and how the future of the rest of their season might looks ahead.