IAAM Playoff Preview- A Conference Final Four

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The IAAM will host their three championship games at Stevenson College on Sunday, February 18th. The A, B and C conference titles will be up for grabs, and the following players will most likely be the difference makers and determine who will bring the championships home. We have a final four of Pallotti, St. Frances Academy, St. Mary's and defending champion McDonogh. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='433800' first='Arianna' last='Harris-Mott'], Pallotti, 2026, Center</strong>- The sophomore sensation can be dominant on defense and on the boards with her length and basketball IQ. It will take a complete game on both ends of the court for Pallotti to get what they want. She needs to be assertive on offense and demand the ball in the paint. She needs to finish at a good rate and make good passes out of double teams. On defense she needs to stay out of foul trouble and swat a few shots into the stands to set the tone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='393116' first='Gabrielle' last='Clary'], Pallotti, 2024, Wing</strong>- Gabby is a Bowie State recruit and she does a little bit of everything for Pallotti. She's an excellent defender and she'll need to spark the team on the end of the floor. She'll need to handle some of the ball handler to help alleviate some pressure off the guards. She needs to continue to be aggressive offensively by attacking the basket and getting to the foul line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='332124' first='Amora' last='Alston'], St. Frances Academy, 2025, Guard</strong>- Amora is capable of getting hot from three-point range but she cannot fall in love with the three if her shot is not falling. The Panthers will need her to make good decisions, take care of the ball and lock up on defense. Her speed and quickness on both ends of the floor could be the difference in the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='433887' first='Zoe' last='Osby'], St. Frances Academy, 2026, Small Forward</strong>- Zoe has all the physical tools to excel at the next level. If she continues to develop her ball handling and shooting, she will rack up a ton of offers. For St. Frances to capture another A conference title she has to have a statement game. She needs to score efficiently, take care of the ball and help close out defensive possessions by crashing the glass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='304355' first='Ava' last='McKennie'], McDonogh, 2024, Wing</strong>- Ava has a knack for knowing when to provide whatever her team needs at crucial times in a game. If the team needs a stop, count on Ava to come up with one. If the Eagles go cold on offense, watch her attack the basket and get to the line or knock down a big three. The Maryland recruit seems to have that clutch make up and always provides the leadership when needed most. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='433873' first='Autumn' last='Fleary'], McDonogh, 2026, Guard</strong>- Autumn is a big-time player with a killer instinct. As a freshman Autumn hit some big shots and led the Eagles to a championship. There's no reason to think she won't come out and put her stamp on these playoffs in the same manner. She will put pressure on the defense with her speed and ability to stretch the floor with her three-point range. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='433799' first='Bailey' last='Harris'], St. Mary's, 2026, Guard/Wing</strong>- Bailey was last year's Co-Freshman of the Year with Autum Fleary for good reason. She is a big-time player and showed us that on her way to leading St. Mary's to the IAAM B conference title last year. She'll need to elevate to another level to capture an A conference title and she's capable of it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bailey Walden, St. Mary's 2024, Point Guard</strong>- Bailey is a sharp shooting lefty guard that brings fire and competitiveness to the team. For St. Mary's to advance she will have to have to continue to knock down open shots and take care of the ball under pressure. If she can limit turnovers, she will give them a puncher's chance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->