We Ball in the Fall Week 1: Players Making Winning Plays

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not every play that helps a team win shows up in the scoring column. During Week 1 of We Ball in the Fall at Northview High School, I watched players contribute with rebounding, defense, passing, hustle, and their willingness to do the little things that can change a possession. Some also provided scoring when opportunities were there, but what caught my attention was the variety of ways they found to make an impact. Here are five players who made winning plays throughout the afternoon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1809101"],"_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-6ac597ebc97c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maddie found ways to contribute on both ends of the floor during Week 1. Defensively, she showed good awareness when reading the action, jumping a passing lane to get a hand on the ball for a deflection. She also provided some rim protection with a block. On the offensive end, Maddie showed that she could step away from the basket and knock down the outside shot. Her ability to make plays defensively while also providing a perimeter scoring option allowed her to contribute in multiple areas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["822550"],"_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-6ac597ebc983e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ava made an impact without needing the ball in her hands for long stretches. She showed her ability as a catch-and-shoot threat by knocking down a three from the wing, making herself available when the ball found her on the perimeter. Defensively, Ava showed good hands and stayed active looking for opportunities to disrupt the offense. She also made one of her better plays in transition, getting her head up and delivering a great pass to help create an opportunity for a teammate. Her shooting, defensive activity, and willingness to move the ball all added value.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["807910"],"_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-6ac597ebc9890"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jazzy took on a lot of responsibility as a ball handler despite playing from the forward position, and she showed she could help her team in several different ways. She handled the ball in the open floor and made a good pass in transition, while also showing the ability to finish around the rim. Jazzy created offense directly from her defense as well, coming away with a steal and taking it coast-to-coast. She stayed involved after shots went up, grabbing an offensive rebound and converting the putback. Her ability to handle, pass, rebound, and finish gave her plenty of ways to impact the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1897988"],"_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-6ac597ebc98d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sariyah was probably one of the youngest players in the gym, but she didn't play like it. She showed strength when attacking the basket and was able to finish through contact rather than being knocked off her path. Sariyah also displayed good passing ability and showed that she was willing to make the right play for a teammate. Defensively, she used active hands to strip the ball away, and on another possession she turned a steal into a bucket with a nice inside-hand finish. Her strength, defensive activity, and composure against older competition made for an impressive Week 1 showing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1667825"],"_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-6ac597ebc9919"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ally consistently worked to create extra opportunities for her team with her effort on the offensive glass. She came away with multiple offensive rebounds, giving her team additional possessions and putting herself in position to make something happen around the basket. Ally also showed more to her offensive game than just her work on the glass. She handled the ball well, used a floater when attacking the lane, and showed touch with a mid-range jumper. Her combination of rebounding and scoring from different areas allowed her to contribute in several ways throughout the afternoon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->