Paint Protectors To Note For The Winter

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everyone needs a protector in the middle of the paint. The problem is that in the girls high school game, not everyone has someone over 6'1/6'2, who can do that so programs have to adapt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article we highlight five individuals that would be considered "Paint Protectors" in one way or another moving into this Winter for another year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1308735"],"_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-68adf8af7dc21"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Spirit Lake High School is going to return an impressive 2026 Class this Winter as they look to make some waves before their main producers of years past graduate. Their force in the middle, who put up some impressive numbers as a Junior is [player_tooltip player_id='1308735' first='Lauren' last='Travis'] at the Center position. Not only is Travis a rebounder and someone that can come over on help-side for stops against smaller players, she is also a blocking machine. Travis put up 74 Blocks during her Junior Campaign in the middle and she will have a chance to do even better this time around if they player their cards right. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["832207"],"_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-68adf8af7dca5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='832207' first='Frankie' last='Long'] of Marshalltown High School has been a producer for her program ever since she took over the varsity floor as a Freshman. Since, Long has continued to stack days and build on her game. For her Sophomore season last Winter, Long recored just over 70 Blocks on the year, protecting the middle with every chance she could. It's also important to note that she was tasked with leading her team is Scoring Per Game and Rebounding Per Game. Making the feat on defense even more impressive in my book. Long is looked upon to do A LOT for her team. Collegiate coaches are going to notice that and her interest will grow over the next few years if she stays on this trajectory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1091305"],"_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-68adf8af7dd29"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you know anything about Winfield-Mt Union High School and their athletic programs, you know the Buffington family name. The prospect for this program that possesses this last name is [player_tooltip player_id='1091305' first='Kynlee' last='Buffington'] at the Forward position. Buffington has that mixture of height right around 6'0, physicality, and natural instincts that every coach loves to see and work with. She knows to do her work early on in possessions and she understands that if she gets stopped in whatever she is attempting, that she can adapt in the blink of an eye. This is another prospect that is tasked with doing A LOT for her program. As a Freshman she put up 14 PPG, 12 RPG, while also blocking 68 attempts in 23 contests and she is only going to get better with experience. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["867471"],"_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-68adfd390e900"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The tallest prospect that the state of Iowa has to offer is still on the board but that might not be for long. [player_tooltip player_id='867471' first='Ashleigh' last='Amble'] of Clear Lake has shown steady improvements from when she was a Freshman. When you have a hooper at this size, it all comes down to coordination, touch, knowledge of the game, and the willingness to be physically dominant. Amble has a few of those already under her belt and she is currently continuing to work on the rest. With guidance and determination, the promise is obviously there. You can't teach height and with someone at a legit 6'5, who knows where she might take things at the end of the day. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["764451"],"_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-68adfd390e98f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When you usually talk about Paint Protectors, you speak about Post prospects. Forwards, Centers, Big Combo Guards but someone who might be one of the best blocking guards in the state, who is now in a new program is [player_tooltip player_id='764451' first='Macey' last='O'Brien']. O'Brien recorded right around 60 Blocks last Winter while carrying her Columbus Catholic Program out of Dubuque. This time around, O'Brien will be at Hudson for the next two years and I think this change is going to really highlight what she can do on the hardwood. In this situation, O'Brien would be asked to carry everyone in most statistical categories so she can focus on what she does best. Something I can't wait to see first-hand over the next 24 months. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->