5 Takeways-What Did We Learn From Bishop McNamara vs New Hope Academy

This was the marquee game of the day Saturday at the She Got Game Classic as it was standing room only for both players and college coaches. https://x.com/PGHMaryland/status/1074098034613592064 Many people were curious to get their first look at New Life Academy as the local team has played the majority of it's games out of the area.  Others wanting to see a game against two master coaches Bmac's Frank Oliver against New Hope's Sam Caldwell and some of the top talent around.  McNamara is ranked #2 by Prep Girls Hoops, ESPNW and the Washington Post, while New Hope Academy is ranked #8 by Prep Girls Hoops, #13 by ESPNW and unranked by the Washington Post. <em><span style="color: #800000"><strong>Five things that we've learned.</strong></span></em> <span style="text-decoration: underline;color: #0000ff"><strong>New Hope Academy's Jada Walker is one of the best point guards around.</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_21010" align="alignnone" width="150"] Jada Walker[/caption] <strong>Jada Walker</strong> was a handful for the Mustangs as she had her hands in the lanes defensively creating havoc and racked up their foul count attacking the basket.  She got to the basket at will using her incredible speed and finished very well.  She shot the ball well especially in the mid range area, finished well after contact and made her free throws.  Jada was a big reason why the Eagles were able to compete in this game. <span style="text-decoration: underline;color: #0000ff"><strong>Point guard combos Hope Evans and Yonta Vaughn bring a change of pace the makes the Mustangs hard to guard.</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_21011" align="alignnone" width="150"] Hope Evans[/caption] While starting freshman point guard <strong>Yonta Vaughn</strong> keeps things under control running the sets and getting the team in position to make plays, <strong>Hope Evans</strong> changed the speed of the game.  The Mustangs started to play at a more uptempo pace when Evans came in making the opponents having to adjust to two different teams.  The Mustangs are a tough team to scout for as they can break you down with Vaughn or run you with Evans. <span style="text-decoration: underline;color: #0000ff"><strong>Madison Scott is the Mustangs X-Factor.</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_21012" align="alignnone" width="150"] Madison Scott[/caption] When you think of Bishop McNamara you immediately think <strong>Jakia Brown-Turner</strong> (NC State) and <strong>Aliyah Matharu</strong> (Mississippi State) and rightly so as the two combined for 39 of the teams 77 points.  <strong>Madison Scott</strong> is a player that you can't prepare for, first because if your top two defenders are on Brown-Turner and Mathura most teams won't have another defender to match up with her.  Secondly, at 6'2" with her guard and rebounding skills she has a mismatch typically with any matchup. <span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong><span style="color: #0000ff;text-decoration: underline">Bishop McNamara is a very deep team.</span></strong></span> [caption id="attachment_21013" align="alignnone" width="150"] Liatu King[/caption] The Mustangs used their entire 12 player roster in the first half of this game and each player contributed something as they took a 39-33 lead into the break.  6'2" <strong>Taylor Gibson</strong> and 6'3" <strong>Kayla Thomas</strong> who is now healthy (previous foot injury), gives McNamara the luxury of always having size in the game or even going twin towers with both.  They got huge contributions from <strong>Liatu King</strong>, <strong>Channa Hayes</strong> and <strong>Aniya Bell</strong> (Fairleigh Dickinson) in the 77-63 victory. <span style="text-decoration: underline;color: #0000ff"><strong>The #1 versus #2 showdown is set.</strong></span> #1 St. John's and #2 Bishop McNamara have faced the best that the nation and the region has to offer.  They have proven that these are undoubtedly they are best two teams around.  Barring any mishaps or freak of nature happening in the next moth the two juggernauts will meet on January 22 undefeated for their first head to head in a most anticipated match in what will most likely be a sold out event.  This standing room only raucous atmosphere was a taste of what is to be expected. <em>Note: McNamara faces Baltimore's top team and Prep Girls Hoops #5 team St. Frances Academy January 17 @Bmac.</em>