We Ball in the Fall Week 1: Making an Impact in the Paint

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Making an impact in the paint isn't limited to traditional post players. During Week 1 of We Ball in the Fall at Northview High School, I saw players at different positions find ways to make their presence felt around the basket. Some did it by establishing position inside and protecting the rim, while others attacked the offensive glass, finished through traffic, or used their athleticism to create opportunities near the basket. Whether they were true post players or simply found ways to consistently impact the game in the paint, these five players caught my attention with their work around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1882553"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac45dd0edb7f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brinley made an impact around the basket on both ends of the floor. Defensively, she protected the rim with numerous blocks, making it difficult for opponents to finish when they got into the paint. She was active on the offensive glass as well, collecting several offensive rebounds and creating extra possessions. Brinley also showed some versatility with her scoring, using a great cut to get herself an opportunity at the rim while also connecting on a floater, a turnaround jumper, and a mid-range jumper. Her ability to protect the basket, rebound, and score in different ways gave her a strong presence throughout Week 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1933256"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac45dd0edc24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anayah brought good size to the interior and did a lot of the work you want to see from a post player. She consistently battled on the glass and rebounded well on both ends, helping finish defensive possessions while also giving her team additional opportunities offensively. Anayah worked hard to establish position inside, making herself available around the basket rather than waiting for the ball to find her. She also provided rim protection with multiple blocks. Her willingness to battle for position, rebound, and protect the basket gave her a steady presence in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["939083"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac45dd0edc97"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kendal isn't a traditional post player, but she consistently found ways to impact the game in the paint. She attacked the offensive glass, came away with multiple rebounds, and converted offensive-board putbacks when she created second-chance opportunities. Kendal also showed strength when attacking the basket, finishing through traffic and making strong takes toward the rim. She moved well without the ball, putting herself in positions where teammates could find her near the basket. Kendal was active defensively as well, coming away with steals, including one she took coast-to-coast before drawing a foul on the shot. Her rebounding and ability to attack through traffic allowed her to have a big impact around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1933268"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac45dd0edce4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ellie did a good job handling the interior responsibilities that come with playing the post. She rebounded well and stayed active on the offensive glass, converting an offensive-board putback after creating an extra opportunity for her team. Defensively, Ellie provided rim protection with multiple blocks and made her presence felt around the basket. She also showed some mobility offensively with a nice slash to the rim, giving a glimpse of her ability to score without simply staying anchored in the post. Her rebounding, shot blocking, and activity around the basket gave her a solid Week 1 performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1812972"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac45dd0edd5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nadia made her biggest impact with her work around the basket on the defensive end. She rebounded well, helping her team finish possessions and limiting additional opportunities for the offense. Nadia also provided a presence at the rim with multiple blocks, challenging players who tried to score inside. She consistently stayed involved in the paint and used her ability to rebound and protect the basket to contribute. Even without needing a large offensive role, Nadia found ways to affect possessions with her interior defense and work on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->