Defender Classic: Friday Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Girls Hoops Kentucky was in attendance for the annual Defender Classic at Bryan Station High School. Here's a look at the top performers from Friday's action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["590302"],"_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-6950922cc8c90"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kylie was among the best I saw on Friday, as she has her fingerprints all over the game against Bardstown. She scored from every level, and relentlessly pursued rebounds throughout the night, especially on the offensive glass and consistently turned second-chance opportunities into points. She also came up with a big-time block on the defensive end. Kylie is in the midst of an incredible junior season and recently became the Lady Tigers' all-time leading scorer with 2,376 career points, while also setting the program record for career three-pointers made (255).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["961289"],"_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-6950922cc8cfb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ella shot the ball well from deep, connecting on several triples throughout the game. She has a polished dribble pull-up game and is a high-IQ player who consistently makes the right decisions with the ball in her hands. A clear leader on the floor, she played unselfishly, looking to get her teammates involved and advance the ball in transition. She also displayed strong defensive instincts, jumping a passing lane for a steal she saw coming a mile away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["897384"],"_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-6950922cc8d47"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Watching Kairi for the first time in person, I came away more than impressed. She is every bit of 6'4 and brings a high level of skill to go with her size. She uses her strength and frame to bury defenders deep in the post and scores at will around the rim. Her footwork is advanced, allowing her to finish over either shoulder, and she's a capable passer for her position who runs the floor well. Defensively, she does a good job walling up to protect the basket. Kairi is definitely overlooked and could be a steal for the right program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1228806"],"_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-6950922cc8d90"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kynadee made an immediate impact off the bench for Moore. She attacked the basket for a strong drive and finish off the glass for her first bucket, played solid post defense, and showed strength in the paint by ripping away rebounds. A reliable finisher around the rim, she made the most of her touches and provided a strong interior presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["875792"],"_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-6950922cc8dd8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I really liked what I saw from Journey on Friday. She's a guard who can impact the game on both ends of the floor. A strong on-ball defender with quick hands, she came up with steals and turned them into offense. She sees the floor well and has a nice float game, using it to finish in the paint over taller defenders. Journey also does a good job finishing off two feet at inside and set the tone offensively in the third quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1577070"],"_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-6950922cc8e1e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I loved the energy Naveah brings to the floor. She moves extremely well without the ball, making timely basket cuts that led to open layups or drew enough contact to earn trips to the free-throw line, something she did repeatedly throughout the game. She can create off the dribble and has a sweet stroke from the three. Defensively, she's scrappy and knows how to force turnovers and come up with steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->