Impact 8th Graders – Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It isn't unusual to see middle schoolers take the varsity floor in girls' basketball. These are a few that have caught my eye as of late.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1124636"],"_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-6776ecf884d24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Avery has a great basketball frame and is an outstanding athlete for Langdon. She is able to knock down outside shots and does a nice job of cutting to the basket. Knowing when to cut can be a hard skill to learn and Avery does a very good job for someone her age. She also is a very competitive defender, using her length and quickness to harass opponents. Avery has a chance to be a very good high school basketball player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1124637"],"_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-6776ecf884dbb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hilary is another 2029 on Langdon that starts for their varsity, alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1124636' first='Avery' last='Lorenz']. She plays with a grit and toughness that is impressive for a 29'. I liked how Hilary was able to control her body on finishes around the rim, getting baskets while getting fouled. At 5'7, she has room to grow but is very effective at the varsity level right now.</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":"Payton Hanson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_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":"Oak Grove","_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-679c2d6b0c16a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Payton has worked her way into the starting lineup and has been a big reason that Oak Grove has turned itself into a competitive squad.  She has a lot of potential due to her age and her athletic ability.  She moves like a true basketball player.  She has great hands and anticipation on the defensive end, deflecting many passes and recording steals.  She is a good ball handler and is able to slither her way to the basket.  She has a nice looking shot as well.  She has all of the tools at a young age and is going to be someone college coaches are going to look at in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1124638"],"_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-679c2d6b0c1c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jada has great basketball in her genes, with her mother being a former Miss Basketball and standout at NDSU. Jada has been coming off of the bench consistently this season and played quite a bit of varsity last season as a 7th grader. She is long and athletic and very good at going to her left. She seems to be gaining confidence and conviction in her play as the season has progressed and is someone I anticipate having a very productive high school career. She has a nice shooting form and is able to knock down the three when her feet are set. When Jada puts on some strength in the offseason, look out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1094023"],"_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-679c2d6b0c213"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alli has some big time potential as an athlete and is in a great spot at [program_tooltip program_id='712656' first='Mandan' last='']. She is having to practice daily against a Division 1 teammate and also against a 6'2 teammate with college potential. I am hopeful Alli is embracing this opportunity to get better and embrace her role in helping her teammates improve. Her time to shine on the court is coming and it is coming soon. Alli looks like she still may grow another inch or two and that would put her in a great position for colleges to recruit her. She has a nice touch and looks to be committed to getting better each season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1126172"],"_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-679c2d6b0c256"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ali is a key reserve for Dickinson and someone Coach Terrance Lockett is excited to see progress in the future. She is able to come off the bench and make a three and will improve her percentage as she puts in time in the off-season. She is still learning the speed of the varsity game and is having to learn and adapt every night in a very good WDA conference. I am confident in Lockett's assessment of Ali and excited to see how she does the rest of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->