Opening Day Standouts at the IHSA Girls State Finals (2A) Game 2

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The 2A class has consistently had some of the more competitive programs and players in the state. I've had the chance to see a good amount of these players throughout the season, but not all of them, simply because many of those programs are further out from the areas I'm usually covering. The state finals always bring a different type of environment, and getting the chance to see more of them live on the biggest stage of the year adds another layer to the evaluation. Day one of the IHSA Girls State Finals did not disappoint. Win or lose, several players made their presence felt when the lights were brightest. Below are six players from the 2A State Semifinals who stood out on opening day.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["743589"],"_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-69a960c59bf6f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Fuller stepped up big in this game. She is a player who does not need plays drawn up for her. She simply plays basketball and usually makes the best decision on that possession. She can knock down the long ball, is shifty when getting to the rim, and is not phased at the free throw line.</em> | <strong>21 pts (7-14), 3-7 from the three</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["856509"],"_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-69a960c59bdef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>When players can show more than their stats suggest, it's a great game for them. Lynch's ability to score and stay hot does not go unnoticed, but she is also a hell of a playmaker. Her speed, length, and vision work hand in hand, and sometimes it makes her unguardable.</em> | <strong>21 pts, 6 rebs</strong></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":"Malia Morton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_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":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Byron","_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-69a960c59beab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Not much emotion was shown by Morton, but that's the even keeled energy she brings. When she's on the up, you'd never know, and if it isn't going her way, you'd never know. She has no worries on the fast break, and regardless of her size, doesn't seem to mind the contact when she gets to the rim. Big fan of this kid. </em>| <strong>14 pts, 4 rebs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898326"],"_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-69a960c59be4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Every program needs a kid who brings energy, and Sauls is that, able to take over the paint. She does not hesitate when she is near the rim and uses her frame well to get the position that she wants.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["882424"],"_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-69a960c59bf12"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>A force of an athlete below the nail, she showed that presence early. But she also shows the ability to handle the ball in the midrange area if she needs to. At the rim, she does not need many moves to finish and shows a solid touch near the basket. When it comes to grabbing boards, there is no quit in her game. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->