Mt. Rushmore: ZG Girls Nationals

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday, I spent the day at the Starland complex watching the Zero Gravity Girls National Finals Tournament. There were many impressive performances from what I saw, but none more than the efforts by the MA Huskies varsity team. I thought their degree of difficulty was the highest out of any team, and they came away with 2 big wins on the day, thanks in part to a couple of big-time games from prominent players in the ’23 class. That said, here were the 4 standouts from Saturday.</span> https://x.com/BashHoopsNE/status/1401371332596670471 <b>[player_tooltip player_id="273944" first="Meredith" last="Winterburn"] - Team Saints/Goffstown - 5’10’’ - SG/SF - ’25</b> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-295325" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/06/IMG_0323-crop-1374x902-1623071389-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Winterburn was very effective on Saturday because she impacted the game without shooting the ball well. I am always intrigued with how a player performs when facing adversity, such as off-shooting nights, and Winterburn did not disappoint. No one ran back on defense harder, was tougher on the glass, and was in the proper help side position more than she was. However, what I liked about Winterburn the most was her high motor throughout the game. She gives max effort, and even when not shooting well, brings the same energy and intensity on every possession. Winterburn is a player I will keep my eye on because she can impact the game in multiple ways, has sharpshooting potential, and good size for her position. </span> &nbsp; <b>[player_tooltip player_id="263815" first="Ana" last="Von Rumohr"] - MA Huskies/Rivers - 5’11’’ - SG/SF - ’23</b> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-295322" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/06/IMG_0321-crop-1406x923-1623071327-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Von Rumor was lights out on Saturday in both games for the Huskies, but it was the significance and impact of her shotmaking that earned her a spot on the Mt. Rushmore. Her ability to stretch the floor and confidently bury threes opened up the floor for the electric Huskies backcourt. Von Rumohr got into a rhythm early and was unconscious from behind the arc. Most impressive was that she was nailing three-pointers over big athletic forwards who were closing out hard to her. I do not think the Huskies would have been as successful on Saturday if it weren’t for the offensive explosion by Von Rumohr, and she provided a much-needed safety blanket for the guards when they penetrated the lane. </span> &nbsp; <b>[player_tooltip player_id="269142" first="Ava" last="Woodman"] - MCW Starz/Tilton - 6’0’’ - SG/SF - ’24</b> <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/06/IMG_0325-crop-1213x797-1623071265.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-295319" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/06/IMG_0325-crop-1213x797-1623071265-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday was my first time watching Woodman up close, and she wasn’t just one of the most impactful players from the day but showed she is one of the most impactful players in her class. She does everything for her MCW team, and her size allows her to be a versatile forward that can mix it up down low or on the perimeter. Her defense is phenomenal. I do not think I have seen anyone disrupt and tip more passes than Woodman. She can defend guards or forwards, and when MCW goes to their full-court trap, Woodman is an absolute monster forcing turnovers. She stretches the floor with her shooting and can take defenders off the dribble and score at the rim. Woodman is a valuable player because her size, length, and her skill set allow her to influence the game at a high level on both sides of the ball.</span> &nbsp; <b>[player_tooltip player_id="266710" first="Aoibhe" last="Gormley"] - MA Huskies/Thayer - 5’8’’ - CG - ’23</b> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-295316" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/06/IMG_0322-crop-1248x820-1623071210-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Late last week, I wrote about Gormley and how she is a player to watch this summer due to her brilliant playmaking ability, but I had no idea she would be the driving force behind a massive win against a loaded Bay State Jaguars team. To beat the Jaguars, you need a point guard who will control the tempo, play mistake-free basketball and make huge plays down the stretch, and Gormley did all of those things. Not an easy task for any floor general, but Gormley stayed poised, and even when the Jaguars went on the run and started to close the gap on the Huskies’ lead, Gormley locked in and made big play after big play. She is one of the most composed players under pressure and never looks rattled when making dazzling plays. Gormley is a relentless penetrator, gets to the basket at will, and proved she is one of the best finishing guards in her class. Gormley was highly impressive on Saturday and proved that she is a top 3 point guard in the ’23 class. </span> https://x.com/BashHoopsNE/status/1401248052204257282