Top Shelf: 802 Second Team All-State + D2POY/DPOY

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This second team has it all! Tons of defensive acumen, versatile skillsets, and exceptional hoop-IQ. Let's get it going! (photo of [player_tooltip player_id='649625' first='Kaia' last='Anderson'])</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='584222' first='Zoey' last='McNabb'], 5'8 G - Champlain Valley Union H.S. Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An emerging PG in the 802 is [player_tooltip player_id='584222' first='Zoey' last='McNabb']. She served as a combo guard much of the time alongside Elise Berger, but Zoey got plenty of time at the helm. McNabb's facilitation is tightly knit, organizing the offense fluidly and making crisp passes to jump start the D1 Champs. Moreover, Zoey's scoring arsenal continues to build as she's displayed nice touch inside off of snaking drives, good reads to distribute, and a clean jumper, especially off the catch. And we haven't gotten to the defense. The foot speed is immaculate and her length bothersome, able to get into talented ballhandlers and make them work for every inch, or she'll use the anticipation to disrupt off ball. Keep watch with Zoey. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='645616' first='Nylah' last='Mitchell'], 5'9 W/F - Burlington H.S. Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The versatility is extensive. Nylah is that one who can rebound and go coast-to-coast, defend anyone in spurts and apparently be everywhere on the floor at once. Mitchell's defensive activity is just expansive as she defended 2-5 whenever called upon, most often guarding up and doing an impeccable job of locking down post presences and cleaning glass. Offensively dynamic, Nylah brought the work as a talented playmaker with her slashing and operation from the elbows, blocks, and short corner, with the occasional jumper off the catch. Two-way tough with talent, hustle, and heart. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='645601' first='Sabine' last='Brueck'], 5'8 G - North Country Union H.S. Class of 2025:<em> D2 Player of the Year + Defensive Player of the Year</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's just surreal some of the work Sabine does. Brueck is my DPOY due to her hawk-like tendencies both on the ball and off, completely taking teams out of rhythm with her active hands and athleticism and making various impacts and disruptions throughout possessions. Then she'll either snatch a steal, a board, or a loose ball and just fly coast-to-coast, tapping into that extra gear in the open court. She's most explosive as a transition scorer, but she navigated the halfcourt offense as the lead guard, finagling drives, 3s, and astute decision making as the lead playmaker. An utter force. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elise Berger, 5'11 G - Champlain Valley Union H.S. Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more unique players I've seen is Elise Berger. Built like a prime-time post presence, Elise uses the frame to be physical a full 32 minutes whether she's cleaning the glass, organizing the O, driving downhill, or defending inside/out. Berger played the PG, using her court vision and acute decision making to spray the ball cleanly into the hands of shooters and cutters. Moreover, Elise displayed nice scoring touch within 15-feet, using that strength and tight handle to get to her spot and rise up, often for short-range jumpers. Elise is another who's impact is widespread and can truly defend just about anyone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='649625' first='Kaia' last='Anderson'], 5'9 W - St. Johnsbury Academy Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dependable, steady, and you know exactly what you're getting. Kaia is that player whose impact is considerable, and yet she does so much behind the scenes that you can't always tell just how impactful she is. Anderson is the type to lock in against talented players on both the perimeter and in the post, using her strength and wit to make every play tough. She's an adept off-ball defender who provides timely help and sort of quarterback's the defensive backline. And Anderson is another who can rebound and go coast-to-coast, she hits open shots, and has flashed the ability to facilitate in a pinch and create some offense off the drive. Smart, efficient, effective. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->