O’Connor, ‘27 New Englanders Turning Heads

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A number of New England juniors boosted their stock this summer, including these five players who continue to make an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1799687"],"_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-6a3474545505f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Addie is a strong interior presence who consistently finishes through contact around the basket. She handles physical play well and has a soft floater that allows her to score in the paint. Addie moves effectively without the ball, finding openings for easy baskets and making herself available as a scoring option. She is also comfortable playing with her back to the basket, using her strength and footwork to create quality looks down low.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["481898"],"_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-6a347454550dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Payton is a versatile scorer who can create offense at multiple levels. She is comfortable pulling up off the dribble from three-point range and has a smooth shooting stroke with a high release point that makes contests difficult. She also excels in the mid-range, elevating into pull-up jumpers over defenders. Defensively, Payton impacts the game as a shot blocker, protecting the paint and altering shots around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["481353"],"_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-6a34745455150"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sarah plays with tremendous patience and composure around the rim. She never rushes her finishes and consistently stays under control when navigating traffic. Her strength allows her to create space by lowering her shoulder and finishing through contact. Sarah also runs the floor extremely well, getting out in transition and earning easy scoring opportunities before the defense can get set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1046824"],"_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-6a347454551c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anya is a strong finisher who can score effectively with either hand around the basket. She has a tight handle that makes it difficult for defenders to disrupt her dribble or force turnovers. Defensively, she plays with great discipline, staying vertical when contesting shots and avoiding unnecessary fouls. Her combination of strength, skill, and control makes her an effective two-way player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1865517"],"_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-6a34745455230"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kelsie is explosive off the bounce and often needs just one move to get past her defender. She uses screens effectively, whether to create space for a jumper or attack all the way to the basket. Once she gets downhill, she finishes with confidence around the rim. Defensively, Kelsie anticipates passes well and creates steals through her awareness and activity. She also features a smooth fadeaway jumper around the paint that adds another dimension to her scoring package.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->