Staten Island Liberty ’29 Lights It Up Over The Weekend

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Underclassmen shone throughout Zero Gravity's King and Queen of NY tournament this weekend, but Staten Island Liberty's class of '29 team stood out most. They went 2-1 while playing an amazing brand of basketball. Here are some of their players who deserve recognition for their performances.</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":"Alyssa Kalikas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Notre Dame Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Staten Island Liberty","_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-69eff0cceab06"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alyssa Kalikas is a star in the making on the offensive end of the floor. She was one of the best shooters in the entire tournament, with a smooth-looking jumper. Kalikas can knock down shots from the perimeter with range, whether it's off the catch or off the bounce. She also has a prolific feel for the game. Alyssa not only creates for herself but can also create for others. She does an excellent job finding teammates in the half-court and on transition opportunities.<br>Additionally, Kalikas maintains her ground on defense. She maps out the court at a high level, making sure she's in the right spots as an off-ball defender. While also moving her feet on the perimeter as an on-ball defender. Her competitive and aggressive play style definitely was an eye-opener throughout the weekend.</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":"Shannon McGlynn","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_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":"Notre Dame Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Staten Island Liberty","_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-69eff0cceabe0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shannon, a 5'10 big in the class of 2029, provides legitimate size in the front court. She asserts herself on the boards on both ends. McGlynn is a tone-setter with the effort she gives every possession. Shannon's energy mainly pops off as a defender; her value as a rim protector is key to their success. She deters players from being aggressive at the rim. Her communication on the floor is an impressive element of her game as well. As an offensive talent, she showcases potential to stretch the floor from beyond the arc. Shannon mainly does her work in the paint as a scorer. She positions herself well for second-chance opportunities. Shannon can finish with strength and has a bit of touch around the rim. McGlynn's two-way potential is evident when you watch her play, and she should be an intriguing player to keep an eye on throughout the year.</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":"Jessica Carlucci ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'2u0022","_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":"St. Joseph Hill","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Staten Island Liberty","_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-69eff0cceac8a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jessica Carlucci was a steady ball handler and floor general throughout the weekend. The way she can control the tempo of the game is exactly what you love to see out of a lead guard. Carlucci has a tight handle, which enables her to deal with ball pressure exceptionally well. Jessica's IQ is on full display when she's running the show. She knows how to keep the offense flowing, constantly making the right plays. Carlucci demonstrated her capability as a catch-and-shoot threat off-ball, too. Her confidence was key to her performance this past weekend. Pesky is one of the words you would use if you saw her work on the defensive end. She gets after it, trying to make opposing ball handlers uncomfortable with high ball pressure. Overall, Carlucci provided very savvy guard play, helping lead her team to a 2-1 record throughout the tournament.</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":"Peyton Chi","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_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":"Notre Dame Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Staten Island Liberty","_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-69eff0ccead2e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Peyton Chi led the second unit for this Liberty team extremely well. She checked into the game and immediately made her presence felt with a ton of energy. Chi was highly engaged defensively, especially getting into the passing lanes. She forced some turnovers, which led to plenty of easy buckets on the other end. What Chi also excelled at was her ability to come into the game and keep the offense as steady as it had been. She was poised as a ball handler in the half-court, setting up her teammates effectively. Peyton was also aggressive as a driver at times throughout the weekend showcasing her ability to put pressure on the defense. As a whole, Chi was impressive. The fact that she can be ready when her number is called and be a positive impact player is something that coaches will always love to see.</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":"Grace Galante","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Joseph Hill","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Staten Island Liberty","_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-69eff0cceade3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Galante knows how to play her role with efficiency for this Liberty team. She understands spacing and where to be on the floor. Grace also impacts the game with her size in the front court. Grace uses her size well especially around the basket as a finisher. She is able to absorb contact on layup attempts while maintaining control to finish the play. She is a reliable shooter from outside with good looking shot mechanics. On the defensive end, Galante is very noticeable as a back-line defender. She provides weak side rim protection when needed and disrupts opposing offensive players from attacking the rim. In addition to Grace's skillset is her relentless effort throughout the game. Galante can get up and down the floor quickly making herself a threat in transition. She's just willing to do the things that won't show in the box score to help her team win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->