Team of the Day: Franklin Furnace Green

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Melissa Knapp (21st Season)<br>1998-2005, 2012-Present</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season's Record:</strong> 22-2 ; Lost in Regional Semi-final to [program_tooltip program_id='712419' first='Berlin' last='Hiland']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Information:</strong> Green is coming off a successful 22-2 season with a Conference and District title. They ended their season in Regional Semifinals with a 57-35 loss to [program_tooltip program_id='712419' first='Berlin' last='Hiland']. They went 8-0 in the league with two impressive wins. The first being a 57-54 victory over traditional power Portsmouth Notre Dame, ending their 115 game league winning streak dating back to 2014. Then, they defeated Notre Dame again 58-56 to secure the league title outright. A third important win came in District Finals with a 39-37 victory over South Gallia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green has a more challenging schedule this year opening the season on November 22 at Lakota West vs Worthington Kilbourne. League play will begin December 15 at home vs. Portsmouth Clay. Another challenging matchup will be across the river at Greenup County, Kentucky on December 27. Green plays in the Tri-State Hoops Throwdown at Fairland on January 10 vs. power-house Marietta. On January 19, Green will play local Division VI post season contender Lucasville Valley, who have a core of great upperclassmen returning. Also, they will play in the Eastern Brown Winter Classic, which is an event that has drawn some really great schools over the years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players of interest:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808869' first='Abbie' last='Knapp'], 6'1” Junior, Guard/Forward</strong>: Marshall University Commit (Featured Photo)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Averaged 27.0 points per game, 13.8 rebounds per game, 3.0 assists per game, 2.3 steals per game, 3.4 blocks per game. 54% FG, 65% FT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scored her 1,000 point against Clay in late January.  2x Southern Ohio Conference Division 7 Player of the Year, 2x District 14 Division 7 Player of the Year. 1st Team and District Co-Player of the Year, 1st Team All- State Selection</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abbie, along with [player_tooltip player_id='1162241' first='Matti' last='Hayslip'], have been the proven leaders of our team for the last two seasons.  Abbie is at the top of opposing team's scouting reports.  She has the ability to play every position on the floor and will be playing the point guard position this year frequently due to Matti tearing her ACL.  Deceiving for her size, Abbie has the ability to move her feet and take defenders off the dribble.  She is hard to handle in the post as she has the size and strength to score at will against most teams.  She's also a force on the boards.  She is able to score on the offensive boards, grab the defensive rebounds, and get the ball up the floor quickly.  Look for her again to be one of the state's best players.    </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1162241' first='Matti' last='Hayslip'], 5'3” Junior, Guard</strong>: <br>Matti averaged 13.6 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, 4.1 assists per game, 2.9 steals per game, she shot 38% from the 3 point line, 41% overall, and 73% from the free throw line. Two time Conference and District First Team Honors and Honorable Mention All-State. She is receiving some recruiting attention from some small colleges. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matti tore her ACL during travel ball in July and is out for the season. Matti was our point guard and has been a major leader of this team. She will be greatly missed with her ability to knock down the three and her overall ability to handle the ball. Looking forward to having her return for her senior season! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elizabeth McBee, 5'10”, Guard/Forward</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elizabeth averaged 5.4 points and 4.5 rebounds coming off the bench last season. Elizabeth steps into a starting role this season after a very successful travel ball season. She will be the most improved player in the area. She will also share duties at point guard, especially the last half of the season. McBee also moves well with the ball and has the ability to shoot the three consistently. She is a rebounding machine! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Destiny Alexander, 5'4” Junior</strong>: <br>Destiny will be the floor general for us the first half of the season. She will be eligible for the first 11 games after transferring from Manchester. She ran the point last season for them and will step right into that role with Matti being out. Destiny will take the ball to the basket and has the ability to either score or pass it to the open person. She has very quick feet and will probably be the best defender on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ava Abrams, 5'8”, Senior</strong>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ava is a senior that has been a four year varsity starter.  So with that she brings experience and senior leadership.  Ava averaged 3.9 points for us but is the definition of a team player.  She also has the ability to shoot the three and is a great rebounder.  She has been a part of many successful seasons for us and will do whatever the team needs to win! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->