Battle in the Knights Den: Five Game-Changers

The Skyhawks and Knights were primed fireworks and outstanding play in their second round playoff clash. The Skyhawks came out of the gate firing, fueled by sharp guard play on both ends — taking care of the ball offensively while disrupting the Knights' sets with ball pressure and playing the passing lanes. The Knights held their ground in the first half and made a push late in the second quarter, trimming the Skyhawks' lead to just one. When the dust settled, the Skyhawks had pulled off the second round upset, thanks in large part to dominant post play down the stretch — though some untimely turnovers nearly let the Knights back in. It was a fantastic finish by both teams.   Here are a few standouts from a hard-fought matchup:    Epps is a guard who thrives with the ball in her hands, and she showed that throughout this contest — particularly in her ability to run the two-man game with her big when plays broke down. On the defensive end, she was a difference-maker down the stretch, moving her feet, forcing traps, and creating chaos for the opposition. She also did a nice job of pushing the pace and finding teammates in transition. When the game was on the line, Epps had a knack for drawing fouls and converting at the stripe to keep her team afloat. Coaches on the circuit should have her circled as a player to watch this summer, and performances like this one show exactly why.     Silas was a standout surprise in this one. Her size and versatility on the wing and at the high post make her a matchup nightmare — exactly the type of swing player coaches covet when they need length, rebounding, and scoring punch all in one package. What stood out most was her knack for hitting timely baskets at key moments throughout the game. When she fully hits her stride, she has the makings of a major contributor next season.     There was something about Sanae's game tonight that made you feel like she was ready to burst at the seams. Her on-ball defense had an edge to it, her rebounding had a different intensity, and she ran the floor harder than anyone out there. The stat sheet may not fully reflect her impact, but she flooded the court with energy and grit from start to finish. Coaches, don't sleep on this senior — her style of play and motor are absolutely translatable to the next level.     Sasha is a guard who plays with poise and a natural feel for the game. On the offensive end, she does an excellent job of controlling pace, using hesitations and deception to lift defenders off their feet and open up passing lanes for her teammates. Tonight truly was a tale of two halves for her — in the first, she took over offensively, leading the team in scoring while going 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. In the second half, she shifted into a different gear, locking in defensively, minimizing turnovers, feeding her post players, and managing the clock with maturity. A highly intelligent guard who clearly understands how to impact a game in multiple ways.     Kent was nothing short of a force in this game, and she saved some of her best work for when it mattered most. On the wing, she showed a polished ability to catch, show the ball, and shot fake her way past defenders and into the lane to draw contact — a move she went to repeatedly throughout the contest and it worked every single time. When the game was on the line, she stepped to the stripe and delivered, first tying the game on one trip and then putting her team ahead by two on the next. On the defensive end, she was equally impactful — making life difficult for anyone attacking the rim and securing rebounds to give her team the next possession. A complete performance from a player who clearly thrives under pressure.

The Skyhawks and Knights were primed fireworks and outstanding play in their second round playoff clash. The Skyhawks came out of the gate firing, fueled by sharp guard play on both ends — taking care of the ball offensively while disrupting the Knights' sets with ball pressure and playing the passing lanes. The Knights held their ground in the first half and made a push late in the second quarter, trimming the Skyhawks' lead to just one. When the dust settled, the Skyhawks had pulled off the second round upset, thanks in large part to dominant post play down the stretch — though some untimely turnovers nearly let the Knights back in. It was a fantastic finish by both teams.