Performers in Crunch Time

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With regional matchups starting this week, there is truly no room for error — it's win or go home, and players are expected to be at their best when their number is called. Halfway through the first week of regional play a handful of hoopers have stepped up and excelled on the big stage. Who has put up big time numbers thus far in post season play? Who has impressed with the season on the line? Continue reading to find out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1091292"],"_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-67b56d23509c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1091292' first='Kamryn' last='Fink'] has led the Highland Huskies the entire season, and nothing has changed thus far through two games of post season play. The combo guard has put up 25 and 16 points respectively to help push the Huskies to a regional semifinal matchup vs. Springville on Friday. Fink also pulled in 13 boards in regional play, which is not surprising given she averages 14.3 boards per contest this season. If Highland is going to make a run at state and take down Springville, the Huskies are going to need Fink to continue her hot streak and put up another big performance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["842582"],"_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-67b56d2350a68"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior [player_tooltip player_id='842582' first='Kyla' last='Hart'] knows her role and excels at it, no matter the stage. Her Stanton squad has not has an easy road through regional play, and Hart has level up and delivered at each step. In her first regional game Hart tallied 14 (you read that right) assists to lead the Viqueens to victory vs. Essex, which in a single game alone puts her at first in the state for post season assists. Hart knows how to dish the rock — averaging 6.3 assists per game, Kyla has continually put her teammates in positions to succeed and has proven she can do it when the stakes are at their highest. </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":" Lauren Travis","_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":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12120","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Spirit Lake","_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-67b56d2350b73"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lauren Travis has proven herself to be a consistent presence in the paint this season for Spirit Lake, and has made a statement in her first game of regionals this week. Travis tallied seven blocks on Saturday to propel the Indians to a win and put them a step closer toward a state berth. Travis is a lengthy, disciplined defender who really times her blocks well and does well to go straight up while contesting shots. Throughout the season Travis has put up well-rounded numbers, including 8 points, 9.1 boards, and an impressive 3.1 blocks per game. I think Travis will be a key to the Indians' success if they want to make the trek to Des Moines this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603375"],"_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-67b56d2350c19"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='603375' first='Ruth' last='Tauber'] has proven her reliability early in post season play for the Wahlert Catholic Eagles. In their first matchup of regionals Tauber had a perfect performance from the floor, going 5/5 from the floor including two three-pointers. In addition the UNI softball commit tallied 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals to boot, showing early that she can consistently deliver when given the opportunity. On a 17-4 Wahlert squad Tauber has averaged 10.2 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists this season. I'm really looking forward to Tauber and the Eagles' matchup this week versus Montincello.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["833961"],"_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-67b56d2350c95"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Need a dagger three? Pass the ball to [player_tooltip player_id='833961' first='Vivian' last='Cook']. The sophomore is shooting the deep ball at 35% this season for Montezuma but took her game to the next level in the Bravettes' first game of regionals. Going 7/14 from deep, the sophomore shooter finished the night with 21 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. As the stakes get higher in regional play Cook has started her post season off with a bang and is showing that despite being an underclassman, she can hit big shots in big moments. Cook and the Bravettes look to continue their postseason run on Friday with a big time matchup versus Melcher-Dallas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->