Playoff Watchlist: Familiar Names

After about three hard months of the regular season, the post season is now beginning. Here are 5 players mentioned previously to watch for during the playoffs.    Ashley has had strong performances in recent wins over Choate and Berkshire, showing her ability to impact the game in multiple ways. She does a good job of making one simple move and getting right past her defender and into the paint where she can either finish or make the right read. She also moves very well without the ball, consistently finding open space and making herself an easy target for her teammates. When her team plays zone defense she shows great anticipation, jumping passing lanes for steals and turning defense into offense. She has a smooth mid range jumper, getting on balance after a few dribbles, and she sees the floor well, leading her teammates to the basket with accurate passes.     Just 10 months removed from ACL rehab, Harper is steadily returning to form and looking more comfortable each game. In her first game back last month she finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, showing she can still impact the game across the board. She is a great three point shooter who needs very little space to get her shot off, whether it is catch and shoot or creating separation off the dribble. She also has a tight handle that allows her to weave around defenders and get into the paint where she embraces contact and finishes strong. As the playoffs approach, her shot making and confidence will be key for her team's offense.     Sara plays very strong around the basket, doing a good job of lowering her shoulder and getting all the way to the rim through contact. When defenses collapse on her she stays composed and finds her open teammates, showing good court vision and decision making. Her game also stretches to the perimeter as she is capable of knocking down pull up threes when given space. On the defensive end she remains disciplined, staying on her feet to contest and block shots without fouling. Even when matched up against taller opponents she holds her ground well and makes every possession difficult.     Brianna uses her strength extremely well, especially with her back to the basket and in the high post where she can catch, face up, and make a quick downhill move. She does a great job of finding open space and finishing plays when her teammates deliver the ball to her in scoring areas. Her effort on the offensive glass stands out, as she consistently fights for rebounds and creates second chance opportunities. She is also effective attacking from the perimeter, taking limited and efficient dribbles to get downhill and put pressure on the defense.     Leila has been on a strong stretch recently, averaging 20 points per game over a two game span while shooting 46 percent from three, showing her ability to score at a high level. She has a very smooth jumper and is always ready to shoot, getting straight into her motion as soon as she catches the ball. She can knock down shots from well beyond the three point line and forces defenders to stay attached at all times. When defenders overplay her on the perimeter she does a good job of attacking the basket, drawing contact, and kicking out to open teammates. She plays very unselfishly and consistently makes the right decision when facing double teams.

After about three hard months of the regular season, the post season is now beginning. Here are 5 players mentioned previously to watch for during the playoffs.