Raiders Fight for Precious Win

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/12/bells-best-games-week-one/">Bell's Best Games</a> happened on a snowy night in Frankenmuth between two pre-season Top-15 D2 teams on Wednesday. The Portland Raiders (D2, 0-0) traveled through ice and snow to face the Frankenmuth Eagles (D2, 0-0) in a highly anticipated matchup of two conference favorites. The game went back and forth on the scoreboard as both teams flexed their muscles with contributions from top prospects and role players. The outcome came down to the final possession, but the Raiders kept Frankenmuth from scoring or getting to the free throw line, securing a 57-56 victory. Here are a few prospects who stood out during a thrilling game to watch as a basketball fan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1098330,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/PXL_20241205_000525440.MP_-crop-3226x2118-1733511624.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1098330" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Portland (D2, 0-0) @ Frankenmuth (D2, 0-0), Frankenmuth H.S, Wed., Dec. 4th, 2024.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1098292"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1098332,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67534bd3e08ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kayla had a strong impact on the court Wednesday and her efforts helped lift Portland to victory. She combined her length and aggressiveness to secure and score multiple putbacks in the paint. Kayla leaped up in traffic to score a strong tip-in and-one, then knocked down her free throw. She finished a transition layup, converted another layup after cutting to the basket, and tacked on two clutch free throws late in the fourth quarter. Kayla scored a game-high 17 points with 8 coming in the final frame. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["860186"],"_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-67534bd3e094a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Summer's scrappy tenacity and toughness make her an exciting guard to watch. She took her game up a level in the second half to score 11 of her 13 points with 6 coming in the fourth quarter. One of her best plays happened when she outjumped a defender for a high pass, the defender bounced to the floor, and Summer regained her balance to bury a cold-blooded three. She drove hard to the basket and scored multiple contested layups after beating defenders off the dribble. Summer's contribution was crucial to Portland's victory on Wednesday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["502309"],"_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-67534bd3e09f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lilly came out guns blazing in the first half for Portland drilling three triples, and added two free throws to lead all scorers with 11 in the first half. Lilly has college range, but it was her all-around impact that caught my attention. Lilly battled to gain the advantage for rebounds, hit the deck to secure a steal, and pushed the ball in transition to earn free throws. One of her highlight moments was when she gave her team an extra possession by sprinting to throw a loose ball off a bystander opponent going out of bounds. Lilly grabbed steals on defense, threw an impressive lob-entry pass over the defense to a teammate for an assist, and hit the game-winning free throw. She scored 13 points for the Raiders and her determination helped Portland secure a huge first win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["932742"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1098334,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67534bd3e0a79"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Macy earned a top-three ranking in the state and our number one shooting guard spot with her exceptional performances leading up to the high school season. Her first varsity game proved why she is a special prospect for the Eagles. My favorite moment from her opening game was when Macy pursued an offensive rebound in the corner, dribbled up the wing, then accelerated hard downhill with her dribble and elevated into contact to score a majestic and-one layup with her left hand. She used her length to cause steals, scored layups off the dribble, and buried a clutch corner triple to keep her team close in the fourth quarter. Macy led the Eagles with 13 points and will be a marquee prospect to watch at Frankenmuth. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1098314"],"_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-67534bd3e0aea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lucy is a pesky guard who made some impressive plays for Frankenmuth on Wednesday. She has a confident perimeter jumper and knocked down a smooth triple from the wing. Lucy is quick on the defensive end and her aggressiveness resulted in multiple steals. She swiped the ball away and drove full speed to score a contested floater off two feet with a soft touch in the paint. Lucy is a shifty guard who will be fun to see the next couple of seasons for the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1059992"],"_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-67534bd3e0b57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Izzy is the glue that holds the Frankenmuth team together and she contributed in several ways to help the Eagles compete on Wednesday. Izzy caused multiple fouls with her hard downhill drives to the basket, scored a tough layup, and shot a perfect 4 for 4 from the free throw line in the first quarter. Izzy is a physical rebounder and will be an important leader for the Eagles again this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">At the Buzzer</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evan Bell</strong>&nbsp;is currently a scout for Prep Girls Hoops and Director of&nbsp;<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a><strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='923712' first='Prepare' last='2 Win Basketball']</strong></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;. Our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prepnetwork.com/frequently-asked-questions/">mission</a>&nbsp;at PGH is to cover as many athletes with D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO potential in the state as possible. If you know a prospect off our radar, please DM Evan through Twitter @CoachEvanBell or email him at coachevanbell@gmail.com</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->