Andrew Lawson Tournament Preview: Thayer Academy

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend, I will be in attendance at the Andrew James Lawson Foundation Invitational at TD Garden. Tickets are selling quickly, so be sure to secure yours soon. Thayer Academy is scheduled to take on Milton Academy at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thayer Academy currently holds a 5–5 record, with four of those wins coming in decisive double-digit victories over Dana Hall, Pingree School, Hopkins School, and Winsor School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are four players, two upperclassmen and two underclassmen, who have been excelling for this team this season and are names to watch during the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["491815"],"_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-69684c32a8594"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cassidy is the engine that makes everything go, leading her team in scoring (17.3 ppg), steals (5.1 spg), and assists (4.1 apg). As a senior, she brings valuable veteran leadership and was recognized last season with a spot on the NEPSAC Class A Defensive Player of the Year watchlist for her elite impact on that end of the floor.</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":"Abby Burrell","_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":"null","_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":"Thayer Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"MTE Ducks","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69684c32a865f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Abby has been a force in the paint, averaging 8.0 points and a team-leading 10.5 rebounds per game, putting her near a double-double on a nightly basis. She anchors the defense with blocks and steals and showed her offensive upside earlier this season when she led the team with 17 points in a win over Pingree.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1309786"],"_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-69684c32a86b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophie is averaging 11.0 points per game and excels as a spot-up shooter, needing very little space to get her shot off. She's effective in transition, finishing through contact or finding open teammates, and her steady handle allows her to stay composed against perimeter pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1005127"],"_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-69684c32a8730"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Marianna is contributing just under 10 points per game this season and continues to step up in key moments. In a recent matchup against Nobles, she led her team with 12 points and added 4 rebounds despite the loss, standing out with her scoring presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->