Mental Toughness Leading The Way

Mental toughness and well-being is one of the most important things in an individuals life to help them succeed in their every day activities. It doesn't only apply to sports or athletes but it does factor in when talking about the mental pressure hoopers face day-in and day-out. You have to be tough.   In this article we discuss a handful of players that possess mental toughness in this game while trying to leave it all out on the floor.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    PZ has forged her own path during her high school career on the hardwood. She is someone that has competed for years on the AAU floor during her off-seasons but this year she decided to stay out of that and just train in her free time. It can be tough when you are trying to figure out some things but this work has let PZ understand herself and her overall play-style. She seems to understand what she really needs to hone in on and what she needs to do to see competitive minutes at the varsity level over the next two years. Southeast Polk is going to be guard heavy this Winter so PZ is going to have her chances just like everyone else on roster. If she makes the most of these opportunities, she should put up respectable numbers until the end of her high school career.     Country Franck has proven that she is a winner for years now during her high school career. The 5'8 PG is quick, athletic, smart, and adaptable. She won a 4A State Title last Winter as a Starter with her Mount Vernon team and she is looking to help lead them back to the same place once again over the next twelve months. As a PG, this is someone that can set up your team's offense in the half court or she can rebound and take it in transition at a steady rate. Over her career this is someone that has moved around the guard spots on the perimeter. That's going to help her demonstrate to anyone watching that she can do multiple things for her program at the next level, wherever that may be.     Pocahontas Area is going to be in the conversation for the State Tournament this Winter with who they have to play. Their group should have minimal losses moving into the Playoffs but we will see. Someone from this squad, that really is their engine in most ways is Alayne Kakecek at the starting PG position. No only is Kakacek their starting PG, she is also their main scoring threat off the dribble while attacking. When it comes to defense, someone that doesn't take plays off. She has a quick first step and a Will to dominate anyone that might be across from her. AK's coordination and balance are next level when you pair it along with her body control when she is trying to get into the teeth of the defense so I'm hoping that will be on full display for anyone watching for one more go around before she graduates.     Williamsburg is going to have a chance to be really competitive for another Winter season as they return their Top Dawgs from a year ago. One of those dawgs, who checks off a lot of boxes as a prospect working towards the collegiate level is SG - [player_tooltip player_id='1056799' first='Ava' last='Hocker']. Hocker has great length with her size at 5'10, she can really light the nets on fire from deep, and she can also put the ball on the floor if she happens to be overplayed by the defense on her jumper. She understands what spaces on the floor she thrives at and I'm sure during this off-season, that has only become better. It's going to be a challenge both mentally and physically if they want to make a big Playoff push this next eight months but it is definitely do-able.     Davenport North High School is going to pass the torch in a lot of ways this upcoming season and looking into the foreseeable future. They will have a new coaching staff and they lose their two main producers in years past due to graduation so there will be ample opportunity to step up. Someone who should kill it within those opportunities is PG - [player_tooltip player_id='909489' first='Alaina' last='Dreckmeier']. I've seen Dreckmeier for a few years now. When she is motivated with a clear goal in mind, she can be really good against some talented opponents. I'm expecting this to be a breakout season for the Sophomore PG. She should possess the ball a majority of the time and if others can produce around her, this Wildcat's team should put together some nice wins before you know it. Sometimes this type of pressure can get to some but I don't think that happens with Dreckmeier. She is hard nosed and that will help her lead before you know it.

Mental toughness and well-being is one of the most important things in an individuals life to help them succeed in their every day activities. It doesn't only apply to sports or athletes but it does factor in when talking about the mental pressure hoopers face day-in and day-out. You have to be tough.