Tony’s Takes: Breakdown Fall League Week 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 4 of the Breakdown Fall League is in the books, and teams are starting to show what they're made of. The veteran squads are looking sharp, playing with confidence and showing the chemistry you'd expect from teams that have been through the battles together. Meanwhile, the younger teams are still finding their way, learning to play together and figuring out who's going to step up when their number is called.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I made my way to Bloomington Jefferson on Sunday where I got a good look at some young prospects starting to make a name for themselves, along with several established players gearing up for the upcoming high school season. With the season right around the corner, you can see the sense of urgency picking up. Some players are looking to build on last year's success, while others are looking to prove they belong. Here's who caught my eye.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1417807"],"_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-6aea395134d2a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kunert has been picking up plenty of traction lately, and for good reason. She cut her teeth playing varsity as a 7th grader at Columbia Heights last season, gaining valuable experience against older competition. Since then, she's made the move from [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] to [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'], and all the work she's been putting in is starting to pay off. Now at Westonka, the 5'8 guard isn't asking for respect, she's demanding it. During her two games on Sunday, Kunert pushed the pace, attacked the paint with confidence and showed off tremendous footwork navigating through defenders. What impressed me just as much was her willingness to compete defensively. She gets after it on both ends, which is refreshing to see from someone her age. Clearly, as an 8th grader, there's still plenty to learn, but she's a sponge and getting better by the day. Keep an eye on this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1263387"],"_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-6aea395134d9d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You may recognize names like [player_tooltip player_id='969766' first='Iona' last='MacNabb'] and Richfield's lone senior [player_tooltip player_id='773996' first='Aneciya' last='Holt'], but one name you need to keep an eye on is [player_tooltip player_id='1263387' first='Nora' last='Finley']. The lefty out of Richfield has one of the smoothest and quickest releases I saw all day. She opened the game knocking down three consecutive triples, including one in transition that would drive most coaches crazy, but somehow it just felt right. Finley moves extremely well without the ball, with her hands and feet always ready to fire. I'm also told she has the best handles on the team but just needs a little more confidence to show it off. If that's the case, combining her ability to light it up from deep with the ability to put it on the deck makes her a real problem for opposing defenses. I know it's only the preseason, but that jump shot is already in postseason form.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1992057"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1992083,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6aea395134df1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shabazz-Vaughn is another relatively unknown prospect who will be looking to make a big splash this upcoming season. She's long, strong and quick as a cat. She loves operating from the high post and has one of the best rip-and-go moves I've seen. One hard dribble and she's at the rim finishing through contact before the defense knows what hit them. She's been putting in the work to expand her game to the perimeter, improving her ability to create off the bounce and knock down outside shots. She's quick off her feet, making her a handful on the glass, and doesn't mind getting dirty in the paint. What I'd like to see next is that killer instinct. Once she starts taking things a little more personally on the court and realizes just how dominant she can be, Saminah is going to be a real problem for opposing teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["927514"],"_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-6aea395134e3e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While there were plenty of up-and-coming prospects to check out, some of the veterans were quick to remind us, not so fast, we still have something to say. Lindahl was definitely in that mode. In what felt more like a postseason slugfest between her Shakopee squad and Minneapolis Roosevelt, Lindahl left her fingerprints all over the game. Defensively, she pestered the Teddies guards up and down the court, making life miserable for anyone handling the ball. Offensively, she was efficient, accurate and played with confidence. Nothing summed up her performance better than how it ended. With the game deadlocked after regulation, it was sudden death overtime. Shakopee won the tip and Lindahl called her own number. A couple of dribbles to lull her defender to sleep, followed by a step-back three. Nothing but net. Game, set, match. That's how you make a statement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1992065"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1992064,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6aea395134edc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another new face that caught my attention was sophomore guard Chari “CC” Carpenter. The feisty and super-skilled guard out of Roosevelt plays with a controlled chip on her shoulder, and I love it. When things started getting heated, Carpenter didn't lose her cool, she just went deeper into her bag. She showed off a smooth handle, controlled the tempo and made plays when her team needed them most. What stood out just as much was her leadership. She's clearly the emotional leader of a Roosevelt squad just two years removed from a state tournament appearance. Carpenter plays with confidence, toughness and a little attitude, but never lets her emotions get the best of her. I don't know what the future holds for the Teddies, but with the keys in Carpenter's hands, I'm more than willing to go along for the joyride!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other players that caught my eye: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nya Carpenter - 2031 guard - Roosevelt</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nya is the younger sister and backcourt mate of the aforementioned CC Carpenter, and let me tell you, the competitive fire runs in the family. Nya is uber-competitive and brings it every time she steps on the court. She has plenty of range on her jumper and isn't afraid to let it fly when the opportunity presents itself. While she hasn't quite filled out physically yet, don't let that fool you. She's as tough as they come and isn't backing down from anyone. What I like most is her willingness to compete regardless of who's lined up across from her. She's still young with plenty of room to grow, but the foundation is there. With the Carpenter sisters running the backcourt, Roosevelt has a pair of guards who aren't afraid of a little smoke.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1808333' first='Leighton' last='Weatherby'] <strong>- 2031 guard - Bloomington Jefferson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the Jaguars losing some key pieces to graduation and transfers, Wheatherby may be thrown into the fire a little sooner than anticipated, but from what I saw, the super-competitive guard is up for the challenge. Defensively, she has a nose for the ball and isn't afraid to get after it. On the offensive end, she has a lightning-quick first step that allows her to blow by defenders and get to the rim, where she's capable of finishing with either hand. Her biggest challenge will be adjusting to the physicality of varsity basketball, where the players are bigger, stronger and a lot less forgiving. There will be plenty of growing pains along the way, but that's all part of the process. Wheatherby has the competitive fire and skill set to handle what's coming. She's built for it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->