Coach Kipp Hoops Fest: The Top Individual Matchups on Day 1

<!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:17px">Saturday marks the beginning of famed <a href="https://x.com/coachkipphoops?s=21">Coach Kipp's Hoops Fest,</a> one of Illinois top girls basketball tournaments. There will be quite a few top tier program matchups on both days of the tournament, but within those games, there could be some standout individual matchups that. Below are my favorite individual matchups for the first day of the tournament.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">MY MATCHUP OF THE DAY<strong>:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='442381' first='Allison' last='Linke'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='419726' first='Emma' last='Briggs'] <strong>(Prospect vs. Benet)</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both juniors have more in common than most people acknowledge, and if these two match up, you're going to be locked in during those possessions. Linke is a true all-around player. She has the frame, agility, and footwork to dominate almost any spot on the floor, from the arc to the paint. Briggs has all of that, along with speed, quickness, and impressive body control. In Emma's current system, we see more of her low-block ability and flashes of her range beyond the arc, but when plays break down, you catch glimpses of just how much of a playmaker she can be above the nail.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='881341' first='Brooklyn' last='Schilb'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='419468' first='Nora' last='Ezike'] <strong>(Saint Charles East vs Lyons Township)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As one top tier athlete leaves the high school game, another is making her way on it. Nora has been a name to know over the past couple of years, and this past summer she really stamped herself as one of the top players and athletes in this state, regardless of class and position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brooklyn has shown on multiple occasions this year (AAU and current season) that she is a problem. Her stock has raised tremendously in my opinion, and it's the fact that she still shows dominance even when she's not the first option— another reason why the potential is so high.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='655574' first='Allia' last='Von Schlegell'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='515498' first='Anna' last='Filosa'] <strong>(Nazareth Academy vs. York) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every team needs an explosive guard that can do a little bit of everything at a high level. Allia has had huge games in the first half of the season, from shutting down players to being the best player on the floor. Her ability to handle the ball and get to the rim at ease is probably number one on the scouting report. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What Filosa brings to the table could rival that a bit this weekend. Filosa is the number one option for York on both sides of the ball, but the physicality and awareness that she shows on the defensive side is why this could be a matchup to watch.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='500610' first='Gina' last='Davorija'] vs [player_tooltip player_id='523043' first='Avery' last='Cooper'] <strong>(Glenbrook South vs Lake Zurich)</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The chance of these two actually matching up are slim, due to one being above the paint and one who operates around it—but with both players being extremely competitive and athletic, a fast break one on one situation could happen. Added to the fact that both players will be competing in the Big East in the fall, we could be seeing the beginning of two standout college players. A definite game to stay around for. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->