Region 2 Clash: Copper Hills vs. Cedar Valley

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Region 2 has proven early that it is likely the toughest region in all of 6A. There have been some tough battles already. Copper Hills hosted Cedar Valley last night, and it was an entertaining game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Best Payer on the Floor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='935878' first='Daisy' last='Thayne'], Cedar Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Thayne might have been frustrated with some shots not falling like any other competitor, she was showcasing why she has risen in the rankings as much as she has. She can dribble up the floor with pressure and get from side to side with a strong left hand or right hand. Defensively, she isn't a player who has to force a player one way or the other; she can defend straight up. Switching on different players is something she does well. Thayne was clutch in her shot making when it counted as she hit a 3 that really helped her team to continue to surge in the 4th and to end the half she got a half-court shot to fall as well. Great showing and great gritty win on the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Impact Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248994' first='Makayla' last='Staker'], Copper Hills</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1248994' first='Makayla' last='Staker'] showcased her growing impact for Copper Hills. Her presence inside the paint immediately drew attention, leading to double-teams whenever she touched the ball. What's impressive is her consistent improvement over the years. Her touch around the rim and ability to make plays out of those double-teams are becoming increasingly refined, making her a valuable asset for her team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ellie Larsen, Cedar Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ellie Larsen contributed significantly to Cedar Valley's performance, excelling in the nuances of the game. Primarily tasked with defending Copper Hills' larger players, her efforts were crucial in limiting their scoring, as Copper Hills only had one player reach double figures, a direct result of Larsen's defensive prowess. Despite being one of her team's taller players, Larsen showcased her versatility by effectively shooting from beyond the arc, hitting two three-pointers. She was impactful from beyond the arc as she hit 2 from there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Surprise Contribution</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eva Okusi, Cedar Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eva Okusi, a Class of 2027 prospect, made an immediate impact off the bench. She energized the team and proved to be a solid defensive presence. Okusi's contributions were particularly valuable in the crucial moments of the game, showcasing her potential as a rising star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1325143' first='Kynzie' last='Petter'], Copper Hills</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1325143' first='Kynzie' last='Petter'], despite not racking up many points, demonstrated valuable guard skills as both a ball-handler and a shooter. Even with limited minutes on the court, she consistently performed well during her time in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overview</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cedar Valley plays a great tempo, and when they sped up Copper Hills, it really made them uncomfortable. Copper Hills controlled the game tempo most of the game and it favored them. Round 2 of this region matchup should be interesting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->