EOT Fall Gem State Classic: NW Stars/NW Greyhounds 17U

Final: NW Stars 48 - NW Greyhounds 17U 46 The NW Stars got their dancing feet in rhythm as they knocked boots with a worthy adversary in that of the NW Greyhounds, kicking off things in the EOT Fall Gem State Classic. The Greyhounds are led by Syracuse commit Juliana Walker, the sharpshooter from Washington who had a big showing versus Cal Stars on Friday night as she hit for seven three-pointers. The game would come down to the wire as [player_tooltip player_id="158545" first="Rhyan" last="Mogel"] would come to the rescue, scoring on nine out of the last eleven possessions for the NW Stars, single handedly pulling them to victory as she would have a tremendous statline of 24 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. The game started off as a fast paced affair as both teams exchanged blows, starting with a [player_tooltip player_id="204586" first="Kasidy" last="Javernik"] triple along with a [player_tooltip player_id="158489" first="Truitt" last="Reilly"] inbounds score. [player_tooltip player_id="158545" first="Rhyan" last="Mogel"] would find Javernik along the arc for a transition three putting up the Stars 8 - 6. Jazzy Davidson would have a trademark floater over a defender as Skoro would find [player_tooltip player_id="158551" first="Annie" last="Koenig"] in the corner to break up a stale sequence for the Stars as they trailed 14 - 19. However, the Stars would find themselves in difficult and tough situations, as they couldn’t find the basket - trailing 14 - 26 to the Greyhounds, but they saved their best efforts for last. The second half started with two [player_tooltip player_id="158545" first="Rhyan" last="Mogel"] free throws - a bit of overshadowing of things to come. Mogel rebound and find to Stone in transition would make it 18 - 27. After two [player_tooltip player_id="158542" first="Kennedie" last="Shuler"] free throws - Mogel would begin her undisputed run. Rhyan would score on seven consecutive trips down the court - propelling them to keep up with the Greyhounds as she was pound for pound the toughest player on the court. [player_tooltip player_id="158489" first="Truitt" last="Reilly"] would find Mogel twice in a row alongside the arc. A skipping-rock sequence would come on the next play, as the Stars whipped the ball around the perimeter, ending in another [player_tooltip player_id="158545" first="Rhyan" last="Mogel"] three, bringing it to 29 - 32. Mogel continued with her scoring merits, as she pump faked her way into a mid-range jumper. [player_tooltip player_id="207819" first="Carly" last="Stone"] would find Reilly inside the post for a score. Rhyan would come out of nowhere to rebound a missed Skoro shot and on the defensive end she would pick off a pass to take it herself in transition, making it 38 - 41. For every Greyhounds score, the NW Stars came up with a response as Mogel hit a cutting Shuler who flicked it into [player_tooltip player_id="207819" first="Carly" last="Stone"] for a floater. Mogel and Davidson began the defensive pressure as [player_tooltip player_id="207819" first="Carly" last="Stone"] intercepted a bad pass and was immediately fouled, sinking both free throws calmly. With the continued pressure, Mogel made a dive at an inbounds pass as she finished it on the other end with the left hand. A Juliana Walker lay-up put up the Greyhounds 46 - 45 with less than thirty seconds to go, putting on a curtain call for Mogel. Racing up the court to get a final attempt, Mogel was fouled by Walker on a three-pointer - as she sank all three free throws flawlessly. The Greyhounds’ last possession ended up on a half-court heave by Walker that just barely missed and the NW Stars survived an absolute thriller in Idaho. Stats: [player_tooltip player_id="204586" first="Kasidy" last="Javernik"]: 6 points, 1 rebound [player_tooltip player_id="158551" first="Annie" last="Koenig"]: 4 points, 2 rebounds [player_tooltip player_id="158545" first="Rhyan" last="Mogel"]: 24 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 2 steals [player_tooltip player_id="158489" first="Truitt" last="Reilly"]: 5 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal [player_tooltip player_id="204583" first="Carly" last="Robb"]: 1 block [player_tooltip player_id="158542" first="Kennedie" last="Shuler"]: 2 points, 2 assists [player_tooltip player_id="207820" first="Mia" last="Skoro"]: 1 rebound, 1 assist [player_tooltip player_id="207819" first="Carly" last="Stone"]: 8 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals Jazzy Davidson: 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks Breakdown: Rhyan “The Unit” Mogel To put things simple, Mogel single handedly put the NW Stars on her back as she made some huge plays repeatedly down the stretch to keep them in the game. The three consecutive three-pointers, the defensive stops, the tough lay-ups at the rim. Mogel is a workhorse who plays at an alarming rate no matter the situation, how much time is on the clock, and she certainly punched in her time card - and came ready to play. Mogel is a high motor player who showed that she can thrive in any setting and flat out be productive - her game is simply expanding as she has shown strides in the transition as well as a perimeter scorer. Defensive Ensemble The NW Stars rolled up their sleeves as a collective and got down to business, as they trapped the Greyhounds and their star guard Juliana Walker into several mistakes - thanks to their full court press. Jazzy Davidson’s length and Mogel’s motor were two lethal combinations, as [player_tooltip player_id="207819" first="Carly" last="Stone"] cleaned up in the backcourt, collecting steals that turned into points. Defense certainly wins games and the NW Stars used this jurisprudence into full effect as it all translated into points on the other end of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="158489" first="Truitt" last="Reilly"] was a force in the paint defensively in the first half of the game as well. [player_tooltip player_id="158542" first="Kennedie" last="Shuler"] was also a constant cog defensively in her efforts. This group played a truly magnificent game at the end of the contest - but it was all fueled on the defensive side of the ball. Joga Bonito “Joga Bonito” is the term that was used to describe Brazilian soccer throughout the 2000s - a phenomena that was created by the illustrious passing sequences of Ronaldinho and other magnificent players. The NW Stars tapped into this ideology with beautiful sequences where they whisked the ball around the perimeter, ending in huge three’s or amazing scores inside the paint. This is a group that truly does not care who scores - as they shine the brightest when they work for each other. The NW Stars is a club that looks out for each other, as they play the best when they are all tapped into the notion of winning - through grit, determination, and a little luck.