Prince Powered by Sophomore Guards and Interior Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prince's fast start to the season continued Friday with a win over Cheney Teach, pushing the program to 14-1. The formula is clear: relentless guard pressure, efficent scoring, and a true defensive presence in the paint. Prince doesn't reply on one player, they rely on roles being executed at a high level across the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Kailyn Grate ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"A.I. Prince Technical High School ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_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-697e5c80bd631"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grate is the clear engine for Prince and one of the most productive guards in the area. She averages 21.2 points per game and scores at all three levels, whether in transition, off the dribble, or attacking gaps in the half court. What separates her is how often her defense becomes offense, shown by her 5.1 steals per game. She pressures the ball full court and forces opponents into rushed decisions that lead to easy points. Her anticipation in passing lanes allows Prince to play fast and dictate tempo. Grate also contributes as a passer with 2.3 assists per game, showing she can create for others when defenses collapse. She rebounds well for a guard at 3.0 boards per game, helping Prince finish possessions. Her 66 steals and 276 total points show how involved she is on both ends every night. </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":"Mireidys Cruz-DeJesus","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"A.I. Prince Technical High School ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_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-697e5c80bd734"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cruz-DeJesus gives Prince a second guard who can both score and run the offense. She averages 15.2 points per game and plays with control and patience in the half court. Her 2.4 assists per game lead the team, highlighting her ability to manage pace and find open teammates. She reads defenses well and makes smart decisions with the ball. Defensively, she adds another layer of pressure with 2.4 steals per game. Opponents can't relax after getting past Grate because Cruz-DeJesus is just as disruptive. Her 31 assists and 31 steals show her two-way impact. She spaces the floor, attacks when needed, and keeps Prince organized offensively. The sophomore guard's balance is a major reason prince doesn't become one-dimensional. </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":"Xophia Wilson ","_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":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12120","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"A.I. Prince Technical High School ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_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-697e5c80bd80a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wilson is the defensive backbone of Prince's lineup. She averages 9.2 rebounds per game and controls the paint on both ends of the floor. her 3.4 blocks per game show how often she alters or erases shots at the rim. Guards can apply heavy ball pressure knowing Wilson is behind them to protect the basket. She limits second-chance opportunities by cleaning the glass consistently. Her presence changes how opponents attack, often forcing them into outside shots. Offensively, she contributes nearly eight points per game by finishing around the rim. Wilson's 110 rebounds and 41 blocks on the season show her consistency. She gives Prince a true interior anchor that allows their perimeter defense to be aggressive. </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":"Ava Smith ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12120","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"A.I. Prince Technical High School ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_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-697e5c80bd915"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith plays a key supporting role in Prince's front court alongside Wilson. She averages 5.5 rebounds per game and provides valuable size and physicality inside. Her 66 total rebounds show how active she is in finishing possessions. Smith often handles the physical battles that don't show up in the scoring column. She boxes out, contest shots, and helps Prince control the boards. Her ability to rebound allows guards to leak out in transition. She gives Prince another interior presence so Wilson is not alone in the paint. Smith's effort and positioning are important in close games. The sophomore forward's work inside is a quiet but essential part of Prince's success. </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":"Carla Robinson","_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":"5'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"A.I. Prince High School ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_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-697e5c80bd9ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Robinson provides depth and stability to Princes guard rotation. While her numbers don't jump off the page, her role is about maintaining structure when starters rest. She understands where to be offensively and keeps the ball moving. Robinson helps defensively by applying pressure and staying disciplines in rotations. Her presence allows Prince to maintain intensity without drop-off. She communicates well on the floor and helps organize teammates. Robinson's minutes are about execution rather than statistics. She gives Prince reliable guard depth in key stretches. Her role fits perfectly within Prince's team-first approach. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prince's 14-1 record is no accident. The combination of elite sophomore guard play, constant defensive pressure, and a reliable interior presence has created a team that can control games in multiple ways. Grate and Cruz-DeJesus set the tone every night with scoring and on-ball disruption, while Wilson and Smith make sure opponents get very little inside. Even the role players understand and execute their responsibilities, allowing Prince to maintain intensity for four quarters. This balance is what makes Prince difficult to prepare for and even harder to beat. They can speed teams up, protect the rim, and score in transition without sacrificing structure in the half court. As the season progresses, this identity gives Prince a strong foundation to keep their momentum going. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->