The Patriots March to Victory

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monday, December 2nd kicked off the 2024 high school girls' basketball season in Michigan with several exciting finishes. I journeyed to Walled Lake Central High School for a KLAA East and Lakes Valley Non-Conference Crossover matchup between Walled Lake Central (D1, 0-0) and Livonia Franklin (D1, 0-0); the Patriots captured the victory 49-26. Here are a few of the prospects who stood out during the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1096036"],"_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-674f3dffe1334"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kinsey competed hard on both ends and her efforts resulted in an opening night victory for the Patriots. She used her lengthy arms to deflect passes and block shots on the defensive end. Kinsey earned the advantage inside using a strong stance, jumped passes to grab steals, and used her anticipation to secure rebounds. Kinsey pushed the ball quickly in transition, landed with a jump stop, and scored a contested layup with a step-through finish. She secured an offensive rebound and converted the putback with her left hand off two. Kinsey drained a wing 3, beat her defender baseline with her dribble to score a layup, and poured in several free throws. She tossed a long assist over the defense for an assist and was the most impactful player on the court. </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":"Sammy Carignan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Livonia Franklin","_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-674f3dffe138d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sammy helped the Patriots secure an opening night victory with her pesky defense and contributions on the offensive end. Sammy pressured ball-handlers up top in the zone, jumped a pass to secure a steal, and then pushed the ball with pace to score a left-handed layup in transition. Sammy provided perimeter shooting for Franklin as she buried a mid-corner jumper, a straightaway jumper just over the 3-point line, and a wing triple. She handled the ball with poise against pressure and created shots for open teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1051213"],"_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-674f3dffe13d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lillian is a Walled Lake Central post prospect who showed the physical characteristics and basketball skills to be a solid next-level player. She kept her hands active on the defensive end, blocking 7 shots as the middle defender in the zone. Her best block happened after a turnover when she chased down the breakaway and ferociously swatted the layup attempt out of bounds. Lillian attacked with her dribble from the high post to beat a help defender in the paint and score the layup. She has a smooth crossover-drop step pivot move and buried a mid-range jumper off the dribble. Lillian isn't afraid to shoot from the perimeter and I'm excited to see more of her game this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1096087"],"_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-674f3dffe1414"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Demi'a is a shifty point guard who made several impressive plays for the Vikings on Monday. She created space from defenders to drive using a series of between-the-legs crossovers and behind-the-back snaps. Demi'a created space with a retreat dribble, blew by her defender, and then scored a tough layup with a fake-pass euro finish off the glass. She stepped into a smooth jumper off the dribble up top and dished assists to teammates. Demi'a will be an important contributor for the Vikings this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1096099"],"_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-674f3dffe1455"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eleanor showed no signs of first-game jitters as she came off the bench to ignite the Vikings offense on Monday. Eleanor let it rip from downtown, burying three triples with confidence from the corners. She worked hard to pressure the ball on defense, resulting in steals. Eleanor has a burst off the bounce and she looks like a promising freshman guard with a bright future at Walled Lake Central.</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 -->