Building Character Through Basketball: Stories of Strength

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE "tinnon30" FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belief. Determination. Two words that you must equip yourself with when playing this game. Basketball is hard. There are so many little nuances to the game you must master to excel at it. Within the course of the game, there is so much ebb and flow, you got to stay humble. Basketball is about character: the will to succeed and the effort to go out and be consistent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just like all good things in life, it takes time to be good at this game. There are levels to this and you have got to just embrace the journey. Everyone gets it at different times, so you must stay poise, even keel. There are many stories out there of young ladies who have battled adversity to get back on the court. From injuries to maybe being cut, you must be a warrior to play this game. You have what it takes inside of you to be great. You just can't rush the process.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some young ladies who are warriors. These are just a few who have battled back from adversity. I know I am not listing all who have bounced back so apologies ahead of time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["409019"],"_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-67ae10b8104ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Tennessee signee missed most of the season with a lower-body injury that kept her sidelined until early January. Since returning to the floor, she has been the Golden Goose, igniting her team as postseason play approaches. She brings a solid body of work back into the fold where she sets the nets on fire and helps control the boards. Keep an eye on this young lady as she and the Lady Raiders battle it out down the stretch.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["408995"],"_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-67ae10b810573"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An inspiration that can uplift an entire program and community. The Iowa State signee has been back less than a month and she has already elevated the spirits and the style of play around her ball club. Talk about a jolt of energy, this 3 level scoring threat has been getting buckets the moment she stepped back onto the court. Not only that, she's ignited a fire in others as they too have turned it up a notch. These Lady Dragonettes are on a mission. Look for them to contend this postseason.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["409105"],"_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-67ae10b81060e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Though she has been back for the season, this kid has battled adversity to keep her dreams alive. When it seemed like her chips were down, she just worked and worked. Her relentless energy and determination paid off as she will be going to New Mexico, a D1 school this fall. She's a multi-level scoring threat who locked up on the defensive end. Solid kid who has earned everything she has gotten.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["409016"],"_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-67ae10b8106a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Battled back from injuries to help compete with her Lady Red Hawks teammates. Jayda brings an old-school grinder approach to the floor. Yes, she can do work on the interior, knocking down high % shots, and mid-range jumpers, and be utilized in the screen game. She too has range in her game, where she will step out and knock down the 3 ball. Add her ability to rebound and block shots, this kid is tough. The University of West Alabama is getting a steal with this young lady.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Watch Notice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three young ladies hoop for the CPA Lady Lions who do work. They have battled back, handling adversity, and have displayed a true warrior-like mentality. These kids have CPA playing with a chip on their shoulder. Though one of the members of their squad ([player_tooltip player_id='514119' first='Merli' last='Routh']) went down earlier this year, these young ladies seem to playing for each other and with a purpose.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["513275"],"_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-67ae10b81074c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is putting up MVP numbers and can slice up a defense in so many ways. She can create her own shot, play bully ball down low, knock down a 3, or knife through a defense on the way to the rim. She checks all the statistical categories as she leaves it all out on the floor. She's a heck of a teammate, who has the backs of those who play with her. A sensational leader who has a bright future.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["822224"],"_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-67ae10b8107e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Is giving them a dominant low post presence. She's physical on the interior and will muscle through the opposition. This kid is hungry and her will and determination are on another level. Look for her to help propel the Lady Lions back to state contention.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["822235"],"_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-67ae10b81087a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She doesn't take anything for granted. She's coming off an injury and she has just been spectacular. It's almost like she has developed this alter-ego, a superwoman with a cape on. Her game has been elevated to another level. She went from being a block-to-block threat to stretching the floor and shooting her 3s with confidence. Add her defensive prowess of rebounding the basketball, getting steals, and blocking shots, this kid is super tough. Good luck slowing this kid down cause her mindset and focus level are just different.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->