Game Report: Liberty VS Valley

The Liberty Lightning took care of business at home last night against Valley with a final score of 61-44 in their first Playoff appearance of the season. This victory was one of grit, determination, and calculated aggression. The home team came in with a game plan, they executed that game plan, and in the end they are moving onto the next round because of it.   Below we have a handful of prospects that made a difference in this contest. Each player listed had a positive impact on their program throughout this game in one way or another.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    [player_tooltip player_id='788566' first='Maddie' last='Casey'] has put together a year to remember with the Lightning. Casey is a SG with deep range from three, an accurate handle, and a smart head on her shoulders. Not only can she be someone that competes at the SG position, she also could double as a PG if need be. Last night Casey registered the second most points for her team with 14. That number might not be crazy but this 14 came in an efficient way. Casey was accurate shooting the ball from deep when the defense put a hand down but at the same time, she didn't force any of that action. Her shots were more in rhythm and that made the defense pay in the end. She also went to the charity stripe a few times, making all of her attempts from the line. You might not think it but MC is a big reason why this Lightning team wins consistenly. She has a calmness about her presence on the floor and that rubs off on the others around her.     This is the 3rd consecutive showing this Winter from [player_tooltip player_id='777236' first='Baileigh' last='Uthoff'] in which I was impressed with what I was seeing out of her on the floor. Uthoff started off things hot for the Tigers. She began by hitting a three within their first possession and then she followed that up by getting a steal and bucket in transition but it didn't stop there. Uthoff was a constant for the entire contest. She worked hard on defense, she stayed aggressive offensively while not settling for bad attempts, and she did a good job of not turning over the basketball when it was in her possession. The Tigers may have fallen short in this one but this performance has prepped Uthoff for a great AAU season ahead with her Missouri Phenom 17U - Iowa hub team.     [player_tooltip player_id='837358' first='Natalie' last='Ramsey'] has put together one of the best regular seasons for any one athlete with her IC - Liberty program. To kick off their Post Season action, Ramsey picked up right where she left off and that is as a huge mismatch against most. Ramsey was the motor that drove this win for the Lightning. To start things off, she was getting to the bucket off the dribble with extreme confidence. From there, she got in rhythm with her patented mid-range pull up, knocking a few of those down as well. Defensively, she did a good job of recovering to help side at a high rate, while being sound within her man2man principles. When things finalized this was the Player Of The Game. She finished things off with a game-high 34 points, several rebounds, a few assists, and a couple blocks. A stat line that was crucial in her team's overall success in this contest.     I was unfamiliar with [player_tooltip player_id='1201883' first='Kari' last='Rose']'s game prior to this contest but she came out as a SG to know moving into next season with her production within this one. Rose, a 5'7 SG, was one that made an impact on both ends last night. Offensively, she hit a lot of tough shots from deep. She demonstrated that she can dribble the ball under pressure and make a crispy pass to someone that maybe open around her. All while being a solid rebounder on both sides of the ball. Defensively, she held her own against her assignments. She didn't stand out too much on that end but that's not a bad thing. She just happened to keep her opponent in front of her at all times and that was respectable. Rose is one that should return for her Senior season next Winter. If that is the case, she could be a main producer for this team once again when that time comes.     The more I watch [player_tooltip player_id='1201885' first='Ava' last='Casey'], the more I love her play-style and the choices she makes with the basketball. Casey is this team's starting PG because of her game control. When she has the ball in her possession, she can control tempo, pace of play, and what everyone else is doing on the floor around her. She consistently demonstrated in this one that she can handle the rock with a tight handle under pressure, she can defend her size and a little bit bigger, and she can knock down open shots from all around the perimeter. When you combined those three things, you get a college level prospect and that's what we have here. At this pace if Ava can keep this up and stay just as efficient moving forward, she is going to be receiving a lot of attention from the next level this upcoming Summer.     I like what [player_tooltip player_id='892063' first='Ashlee' last='Brown'] brings to the hardwood. Brown is a prospect that competes with grit, physicality, and coordination in everything she is doing. In this one she was a guard who brought up the ball at times and she also played off the ball as the SG. No matter where she had it, she was always someone that did a solid job of squaring up to the hoop, looking for an opening with the defense in front of her. All in all, this is someone that has offers to compete at the next level following high school and I understand why. When you watch her play, you can see the promise almost right away. It'll be interesting to see who eventually lands her in recruitment but now I'm sure she is just worried about putting together a final AAU season to remember.

The Liberty Lightning took care of business at home last night against Valley with a final score of 61-44 in their first Playoff appearance of the season. This victory was one of grit, determination, and calculated aggression. The home team came in with a game plan, they executed that game plan, and in the end they are moving onto the next round because of it.