State Stars from the Coliseum and Convention Center – Day 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='385771' first='Amara' last='Jackson'], Huntington, W, 5-9, Sr.</strong> - She called game - horn, red light, zeros and all. [player_tooltip player_id='385771' first='Amara' last='Jackson'] decided Huntington's postseason run wasn't over quite yet during the Highlanders' quarterfinal game against Spring Valley. Looking at a possible overtime period, Jackson played hero in the closing seconds as she pushed her green and gold past the Timberwolves, 51-49. With the game knotted at 49-all, Jackson hit the shot that kept sent the Highlanders to the semifinals. She took an inbounds pass from teammate [player_tooltip player_id='384069' first='Ella' last='Giles'], dribbled past [player_tooltip player_id='384100' first='Dria' last='Parker'] and a hands up [player_tooltip player_id='384101' first='Allie' last='Daniels'], and lofted up a shot. The ball kissed off the glass, fell through the hoop and the celebration was on. Giles and her celebrated with a push and yell to the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center rafters. It was the cherry on top of a great Wednesday for the Highlander. Jackson finished the game with 19 points, shooting 7 of 11 from the field, 7 rebounds and two steals. With her game-winning shot and performance, she looked comfortable with the ball in her hands in the biggest moments. College coaches who need a hard-charging wing capable of playing good defense and thriving in the spotlight should immediately reach out to the uncommitted Ms. Jackson. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='382709' first='Lacee' last='Smith'], Huntington St. Joe, CG, 5-8, Sr.</strong> - She doth rose. [player_tooltip player_id='382709' first='Lacee' last='Smith'] showed she wasn't afraid of the big-time. Not one bit. Back in the state tournament, but with a different team from Huntington, Smith shined in the Irish's 58-57 loss to James Monroe. She tallied a team-high 17 points on 6 of 12 shooting, 3 rebounds and four assists in 28 minutes. Down 20-5, Smith helped keep her team calm and played the biggest part as her team sliced into the Mavericks' lead. She tallied the Irish's final five points of the half that drew the Irish within six at the intermission. Shortly out of the locker room, she knotted things at 35 at the 4:58 mark of the third period. She then capped a 9-0 Irish run with a triple, thus sending her group ahead 39-35. I really enjoyed this performance by Smith. She showed a ton of heart, range from outside the arc, and a belief in herself and her teammates that nearly won them they day after a disaster start to the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='722882' first='Niko' last='Kaufmann'], Huntington St. Joe, SG, Sr.</strong> - She doth rose, too. Where teammate Smith did everything she could to bring the Irish back from an early deficit, Kaufmann worked hard to make sure those results stuck with Smith didn't have the ball against John Marshall. Kaufmann scored 16 points, including 7 of the Irish's final 10 points in the loss to the Mavericks. She tallied the late points that gave the Irish a chance to pull out a win at the end of the game. She even scored the final points and hoped for a late foul. Kaufmann brought her group to within 51-49 with 1:21 remaining in the game. She then canned two free throws with nine seconds left in the game to draw the Irish within one. After Mary Beth Meadows sent the Mavericks' lead back up to three, Kaufmann gave one last giant hurrah with a shot at the buzzer. She made it, yet she was well within the three-point line. Kaufmann showed a great resilience throughout the entire game, even when her team trailed by 15 points early. She showed great game awareness late to take over when shots weren't falling for her other teammates. She can definitely help a team at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='723940' first='Mya' last='Dunlap'], James Monroe, W, 5-8, Fr. </strong>- Gutsy may be an understatement. While it is true that the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center can present a challenge to many players, the building didn't bother [player_tooltip player_id='723940' first='Mya' last='Dunlap']. Not one bit. Playing on the floor for the first time, the ninth-grader looked poised against a big-time opponent. She led all scorers with 18 points, as she was trusted to take some shots in some big moments. After St. Joe had taken a five-point lead in the fourth quarter, Dunlap closed the gap to one with a short-range jumper. Later in the game, she hit two free throws that permanently gave the Mavericks the lead with 19 seconds left in the game. Had she missed, the door would have been left open for the Irish and [player_tooltip player_id='722882' first='Niko' last='Kaufmann'] - she caught fire in the second half. As is true with all these players, Dunlap showed not only heart, but a confidence in her game you rarely see from a freshman down in the state's capital. She moved decisively and thought on her feet well. Her name is one many D-II and D-III coaches should keep their eyes on as she rises up through the high school game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='342221' first='Alexis' last='Bordas'], Wheeling Park, SG, 5-8, Jr.</strong> - Home, Sweet, Home? Pretty much. Bordas splendidly reacquainted herself with the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center baskets against Washington during the Patriots' 85-40 win over the Patriots. She tallied 28 points, nine boards, 2 assists and 3 steals in 22 minutes of playing time. Bordas stretched the floor with her ability to shoot the three, she made the Patriots respect her range even if she didn't hit the shot. She also created headaches on the boards as she created six extra offensive attempts for her Patriots. Bordas continues to impress me with her execution of the little things that win ball games. She may not always hit from three, but her shot will fall somewhere else and she offers great value whenever she's on the floor. Facing a cold shooting night or stifling defense, she will clamp down on a defender or hit the boards hard. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->