Highlighting Recent Performances

As the season continues to pick up momentum, several players around New England have turned in standout performances worth recognizing. Here's a look at a group of athletes who made a strong impact in recent games with their play on both ends of the floor.    Jenna played well at the Cohasset Holiday Hoopfest, standing out in games against both Georgetown and Braintree and earning an All-Tournament Team nomination. She uses her long reach effectively on the defensive end, blocking shots and pulling down rebounds, and is especially impactful around the free-throw line against zone defenses, where she catches, reads, and makes plays. For a player of her height, she has an impressive handle and is capable of leading the break when needed.     Avery had a big impact in AB's strong defensive showing against Newton North, recording 6 of the team's 21 combined blocks and steals. She finished that game with 18 points and 6 rebounds while also shooting the ball well from three, finding open space and getting her shot off quickly. She has excellent hands on defense, consistently picking pockets, and is comfortable handling the ball in transition, where she can finish through contact. Earlier in December, she showed her defensive upside again with a 9-steal performance against Shrewsbury.     Alana turned in a strong performance against St. Mary's, finishing with 13 points and 12 rebounds. She plays a tough, physical style and consistently makes smart decisions on the floor. Around the basket, she does a great job backing down defenders and using her strength to score, while also excelling in the dunker spot by moving to open areas for short mid-range looks. She establishes excellent post position, sealing defenders and creating easy scoring opportunities once teammates get her the ball.     Tessa's quick first step makes her extremely difficult to stay in front of, as one dribble is often all she needs to get by defenders. She is a crafty finisher around the basket, capable of scoring in multiple ways, including floaters with high arc to get over shot blockers. She plays strong through contact and doesn't get knocked off her line when driving. In addition to her finishing ability, she can step out to the perimeter and knock down three-point shots, making her a versatile offensive threat.     Izzy played a key role in AB's comeback win over Newton North, helping spark a 24-point run after her team trailed early and scoring 12 points in the first half. She finished that game with 18 points, 3 assists, and 5 steals, showing her ability to impact the game on both ends. Defensively, she has great instincts, jumping passing lanes for steals, and offensively she finishes strong around the basket by lowering her shoulder and powering through defenders. She followed that up with another strong outing against Lincoln-Sudbury, posting 10 points and 4 steals in a 23-point win.

As the season continues to pick up momentum, several players around New England have turned in standout performances worth recognizing. Here's a look at a group of athletes who made a strong impact in recent games with their play on both ends of the floor.