FSCB Holiday Classic: Players To Watch
This Sunday tips off the 26th Annual First State Community Bank Holiday Classic hosted at the Show Me Center on Southeast Missouri State’s campus. While the tournament only showcases seven teams, three of them are state ranked by the MBCA:…
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Continue ReadingThis Sunday tips off the 26th Annual First State Community Bank Holiday Classic hosted at the Show Me Center on Southeast Missouri State’s campus. While the tournament only showcases seven teams, three of them are state ranked by the MBCA: Class 5 No. 2 Cape Notre Dame, Class 1 No. 4 Delta and Class 2 No. 10 Oran. Notre Dame earned the No. 1 seed and has won the Holiday Classic the last two seasons. Delta is the three seed behind No. 2 seed Jackson, while Oran is seeded fourth. With great teams comes great talent, so here are the 10 players to watch in this year’s Holiday Classic:
2023 6’1″ SF Tori Rubel Tori Rubel 6'1" | SF Cape Notre Dame | 2023 State MO , Cape Notre Dame: Would be hard pressed to find a better all-around talent in Missouri. Three-level scorer with an incredibly smooth shooting stroke to knock down 3-pointers and perimeter shots. Overwhelming force when attacking the basket. Unguardable crossover. Next-level defender due to her athleticism, length and stride. Top-notch glass cleaner. Phenomenal pusher of the ball.
2022 6’0″ CG Alexa Rubel Alexa Rubel 6'0" | CG Cape Notre Dame | 2022 State MO , Cape Notre Dame: The UT Martin signee is one of the best offensive talents in the Show-Me State. Absolute slasher with an array of fine-tuned moves (euro step, crossover, pass and shot fakes) for easy finishes. Catches fire from beyond the arc. Best passer in Southeast Missouri as she specializes in heaving the ball and delivering no-look dimes. Smooth rebounder. Mirrors ball handlers.
2022 5’8″ CG Leah Jansen, Cape Notre Dame: Best on-ball defender in Southeast Missouri due to her ability to read and her lateral quickness. Always swiping for the ball and smothering ball handlers. Fast-break scoring threat as her drive is usually unaltered and has a clean finish at the rim. Shoots well from 3-point range. Facilitates and handles the ball nicely. Always plays with a high motor.
2022 5’9″ CG Kendall Holweg Kendall Holweg 5'7" | CG Delta | 2022 State MO , Delta: One of the top athletes in the tournament as she is always flying around the court in a controlled manner. Nice hops that allows her to contest shot attempts as well as make for a quick, hard-to-guard pull-up jumper. Extremely aggressive and quick when it comes to fighting for rebounds and boxes out well. In-your-face defender who constantly presses and swipes for the ball.
2024 5’5″ CG Presley Holweg Presley Holweg 5'5" | CG Delta | 2024 State MO , Delta: Scrappy player whose determination and skill allows her to make multiple big plays per game. Impressive court vision as she picks off a high number of passes for fast-break opportunities. Outstanding job of catching and shooting the ball with a quick release. Nice drive to the rim. Strong inside despite her height as she positions well to battle and come down with boards.
2024 5’6″ SG Addison Nichols Addison Nichols 5'6" | CG Delta | 2024 State MO , Delta: Simply money from 3-point range as she’s proven to be a lethal scorer. Not only are her attempts from beyond the arc usually swishes, but she also has significant range from deep as well. Very opportunistic and patient on defense to come up with the ball. Pushes phenomenally well and sees the entire court to find teammates for easy scores. Plays with poise and confidence.
2023 5’10” SG Katie Waller Katie Waller 5'10" | SG Jackson | 2023 State MO , Jackson: Has become one of the top scorers in Southeast Missouri. Slasher who can hit jumpers with the best of them. Type of shooter defenders must start guarding once she crosses half court as she can knock down 3-pointers from anywhere. Smart defender who knows when to take her chances for the ball. Smooth with the ball in her hand and likes making one-handed dishes.
2022 5’9″ CG Jordyn McClellan Jordyn McClellan 5'9" | SG Jackson | 2022 State MO , Jackson: The Missouri Baptist signee is arguably the smoothest ball handler in the tournament. She’s an incredible scorer in her own right but is just as dangerous passing the ball and creating for her teammates. Gets in a rhythm hitting 3-pointers. Doesn’t force things as she’s as patient as they come. Jets past defenders off one move for easy trips to the lane.
2023 5’11” SF Haley Webb Haley Webb 5'11" | SF Oran | 2023 State MO , Oran: Another top all-around talent of the tournament. Incredibly diverse scorer with a strong yet smooth attack of the rim while being able to sink trey after trey. Imposing threat when going coast-to-coast. Outstanding defender due to her length and awareness to either come up with or get her hand on the ball. Pushes extremely well due to her vision. Natural cleaner of the glass.
2022 6’0″ SF Hope Woodfin Hope Woodfin 6'0" | SF Oran | 2022 State MO , Oran: Dangerous from beyond the arc as she’s another player in this tournament with deep range and that can catch fire. Gets to the rim with ease due to her arsenal of moves like the crossover. Uses her length nicely on defense to contest shots as well as deflect. Is a nice facilitator of the ball as she delivers bullets inside for easy scores. Secures rebounds with ease.
Revised Holiday Classic Schedule (Oran is out of the tournament)
Sunday, Dec. 19
- #2 Jackson vs. #5 Woodland @ 2 p.m.
- #1 Notre Dame vs. #6 KIPP @ 3:30 p.m.
- #3 Delta vs. #4 Saxony Lutheran @ 5 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 20
- #1 Notre Dame vs. #5 Woodland @ 4 p.m.
- #2 Jackson vs. #3 Delta @ 5:30 p.m.
- #4 Saxony Lutheran vs. #6 KIPP @ 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 22
- Consolation Championship @ 4 p.m.
- Third Place Game @ 5:30 p.m.
- Championship Game @ 7 p.m.