The Eau Claire Memorial wing isn’t the most explosive athlete around the country, but her basketball IQ more than makes up for it. McCarthy plays the game at her own pace and allows the defense to dictate the right play for her. I thought she showed her footwork in the paint and how well she can score off her pivot game. She is a player regional programs should see at some point over the next few years if they get a chance.

One of the players who was impressive with the ball in her hands. McCarthy also showed her skill with her footwork around the basket. She got to her step through almost whenever she wanted to and played off two feet well. The Eau Claire native had an excellent first season of high school basketball and has continued to raise her level of play over the past year.

Ava handled the ball with confidence and did a strong job creating opportunities off the dribble. She controlled the pace of play and consistently put pressure on defenders when attacking downhill. Her ability to navigate traffic helped her get into the paint and create offense. Ava’s ball-handling and decision-making were key parts of her performance.

Ava had a very effective day for Team Prime Nation EYBL 15U at the Great Lakes Kickoff on Saturday. She caught a pass on the perimeter, used a quick rip move to beat her defender down the baseline, landed with a controlled jump stop, then stepped through to score with her left. Ava kept her balance in the paint and scored another step through with her left from a tough angle. She penetrated with a hard drive from high post to score a bucket off two feet, secured rebounds, and knocked down free throws at the line. Ava created steals, scored a strong and-one in transition, and made smart backdoor cuts.

Out of Eau Claire Memorial High School, McCarthy proved to be a do-it-all force for Team 5. Her athletic prowess stood out when crashing the glass, leading fast breaks, and defending across multiple positions. She switched seamlessly from guarding smaller guards to battling bigs in the paint. In transition, McCarthy elevated the tempo and brought constant energy, making her one of the most impactful players on the floor.