2A and 3A State Tournament: X-Factors and Breakout Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Semifinals and Finals showcased some major talent in the Class 2A Division. In this article, we look at the prospects who proved to be X Factors in the tournament. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1208745,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/03/DSC02538.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1208745" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='221605' first='Alyssa' last='Hill'] came out and provided the lift that her team needed. Hill shot the ball with confidence from behind the arc and provided a spark that flamed for the rest of the night. She hit several threes, and even one three that was nullified by a foul away from the ball. Hills fake to the left and rip into a pull-up midrange is what sent the message that Hill wasn't just a sub who made a perimeter three, but a flat out baller. Hill looked unflappable on the court and communicated well on defense with switches and screens. According to Maxprep stats, Hill came into the game averaging 2.5 points per game. Hill is just one of many underclassmen on the Miami Country Day roster, and she had a breakout that came during the State Finals. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1208784,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/03/DSC01357.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1208784" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1208816' first='Jadalynn' last='Morell'] was a standout and X Factor for her team. In the finals, Bryant and Green were obviously the focus, but Morell came to play and she was very disruptive on the defensive end. She caused turnovers, created jump balls, played passing lanes, and deflected numerous passes. This was all predicated by Morell's speed and quickness. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1208797,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/03/DSC03041.jpeg?w=930" alt="" class="wp-image-1208797" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1208813' first='Josie' last='Maloni'] was another 2025 player who proved to be an X-Factor in the 3A State tournament. Maloni has blazing speed and she was effective at times running with the speedy guards in the tournament (Branton of SLAM, and Freeman of Bolles). Maloni also helped with press break and grabbed a few rebounds. Her Senior leadership impact doesn't show on the score sheet, but she played an important role en route to a State Championship and was an X Factor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1208799,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/03/DSC03236.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1208799" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='514527' first='Arianna' last='Walker'] (Ari) was an X-Factor for Bolles all weekend long. In the 3A Finals, Walker grabbed 8 rebounds, scored 4 points, and had 3 steals. She had the responsibility of guarding one of the best Freshman in the state in the Semifinals and did an an excellent job. In the Finals, she covered three of the top guards for Cardinal Mooney. Walker has speed and size which allowed her to mix it up on the inside and still keep the guards from getting to the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1208805,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/03/DSC02571.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1208805" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='221653' first='Jada' last='Johnson'] was the X Factor for sure. She is the lone senior on a roster of 13 and her maturity showed on the floor. When the game was close at the end, Johnson pulled up from behind the three point line and helped seal the deal. Johnson mixed it up on the inside and handled the ball on the perimeter in the offense as well. She shot 66 percent and her shots came from the perimeter. Johnson also had 5 rebounds. When Freshmen were playing like Freshmen, and things were getting tight in the game, it was Johnson who was calm like an “Auntie,” and kept the young team focused on the task at hand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->