Power in the Paint – The Smoke

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Smoke, a premier basketball tournament held this past weekend, was packed with talent—and the post players made their presence known from the jump. Throughout the event, these interior forces controlled the paint with their physicality, footwork, and relentless effort. Whether it was securing key rebounds, finishing through contact, protecting the rim with timely blocks, or establishing deep position on the block, post players were a driving force behind their teams' success. Their strength, toughness, and ability to anchor both ends of the floor highlighted just how essential dominant post play remains in today's game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["607080"],"_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-68306c1909d28"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ella, a post player for the Goonies, had a strong showing with her gritty and effective play at The Smoke. She battled on the boards all weekend, grabbing key rebounds and converting second-chance points with tough putbacks. Ella also showed her ability to stretch the defense by knocking down a smooth jumper just inside the arc. On the defensive end, she protected the rim well, coming up with several blocks that shifted momentum for her team.</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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1250141' first='Elliana' last='Strunk']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cedar Springs","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='1249476' first='Lakeside' last='Basketball Academy']","_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-68306c1909dde"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elliana, a post player for [program_tooltip program_id='1249476' first='Lakeside' last='Basketball Academy'], delivered a solid performance at The Smoke. She was a force in the paint, using her strength and determination to control the boards and rack up multiple offensive putbacks. Defensively, she held her ground well, altering shots and coming up with key blocks. Her physical presence and consistent effort made her a standout in the post throughout the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["982742"],"_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-68306c1909e2d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophie, a post player for the Mystics, made a big impact at The Smoke with her toughness and all-around effort. She was relentless on the boards, grabbing multiple offensive rebounds and turning them into second-chance points. On defense, she protected the rim with strong shot-blocking and wasn't afraid to take a rebound coast to coast, staying composed while pushing the break. Her blend of strength, control, and hustle stood out all weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["905740"],"_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-68306c1909e8c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mady, a post player for Factory, brought toughness and grit to the floor at The Smoke. She used her strength to establish deep position inside and battled for every rebound, making her presence felt in the paint. Mady also showed her range by stepping out and confidently hitting a three from the wing. Her hustle stood out as she didn't hesitate to dive on the floor for loose balls, doing all the little things to help her team succeed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["928274"],"_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-68306c1909ed6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Olivia, a post player for Macon 6, made a strong impression at The Smoke with her physical presence and nonstop motor. She battled on the boards at both ends of the court, securing key rebounds and keeping possessions alive. Olivia ran the floor hard in transition, consistently getting ahead for scoring chances, and anchored the paint defensively with her shot-altering ability. Her toughness and energy made her a force in the middle all weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->