Game Spotlight: Francis Howell vs. Marquette Top Five Stars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We like to go old school at times at Prep Girls Hoops Missouri and bring back our Game Spotlight Feature where we concentrate on a big game and choose the Top Five Stars from that game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Wednesday night, Francis Howell played host to Marquette in a battle of two excellent teams in the St. Louis area. Howell entered the game with a 1102 record while Marquette was 12-2 going into the contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game went back and forth throughout the first half with Marquette taking a 30-28 lead at halftime. Francis Howell took the lead early in the second half and led by as many as nine points. The Mustangs rallied, but Howell held on to take a 65-59 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the Top Five Stars from the Francis Howell-Marquette game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1257810,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/06/IMG_2866.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1257810" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NO. 1 STAR: [player_tooltip player_id='990371' first='Veronica' last='Simmons'] (Francis Howell): The 5'8" guard scored 22 points and really dominated the second half with 17 points. She concentrated on driving in the first half, but she really caught fire from long range in the second half with four 3-pointers. She is a tough cover with her ability to beat defenders off the dribble to compliment her perimeter shooting. She was very good at picking her spots and not trying to force things that weren't open. She was very patient and took her time before she went on the attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1274478,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/07/Maryann-Kenyon-crop-3840x2522-1752797310.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1274478" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NO. 2 STAR: [player_tooltip player_id='941760' first='MaryAnn' last='Kenyon'] (Marquette): The 6'1" 2027 Division I prospect scored a game-high 27 points while playing an excellent all-around floor game. She was very tough to handle in the low post as she used her height and great footwork to score around the basket. She also scores on the perimeter with her ability to drive and hit pull up jumpers. She is also a very unselfish player as she constantly set up teammates with good scoring opportunities. She dropped a nice dime while running the break in transition. She also had an impact on defense with her length as she blocked numerous shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":722722,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_9814.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-722722" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NO. 3 STAR: [player_tooltip player_id='722144' first='Riese' last='Grier'] (Francis Howell): A 6'0" 2026 forward who tied for team-high scoring honors with 22 points. She was terrific at using her strength to get good seals in the low post and commanding the basketball. She made strong catches inside and displayed a nice touch off the glass. She also hit numerous short jumpers from out to 10 feet. She also scored on a jump hook in the lane over the left shoulder. She also played good positional defense as she walled up inside. Her rebounding was also very good.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1257918,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/06/IMG_2845.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1257918" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NO. 4 STAR: [player_tooltip player_id='1092874' first='Bailey' last='Owen'] (Marquette): The 5'6" 2028 guard scored 15 points as she displayed a smooth shooting stroke from 3-point range throughout the game. She hit four triples, including a pair at the beginning of the game to get the Mustangs going early. Her release was so quick and that was whether she was shooting off the catch or dribbling up for a pull up jumper. She also made some nice rotations on defense to collect a couple of steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":787588,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/IMG_6522.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-787588" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NO. 5 STAR: [player_tooltip player_id='409884' first='Amya' last='Porchia'] (Francis Howell): The 5'4" 2026 point guard made a big impact in the fourth quarter as she scored all nine of her points while also making an impact on the defensive end. She had a big steal and a transition layup to start the fourth quarter. She also hit a big 3-pointer from the corner and she sealed the win with four free throws in the closing seconds of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->