Smooth, effortless, and courageous. I’m not sure if Maura Ryan Maura Ryan 5'6" | PG/SG St. Albert | 2027 State IA is going to return this AAU season as she broke her leg or ankle in November at the kick off of the Winter. That mean’s we didn’t see Ryan much on the court the past few months but she is looking to lock in and be back to normal moving into this Summer. Ryan handles with intent, she knows how to score at all offensive levels off the catch or bounce, she makes difficult tasks look really easy, and she isn’t afraid to failure. If the game is on the line, she is comfortable getting a good look for a shot to win it. She knows her hard work deserves that chance, no matter the result.

Last year at State we had the chance to see Maura Ryan Maura Ryan 5'6" | PG/SG St. Albert | 2027 State IA of CB – St. Albert High School compete on their way to a 1A State Title. Ryan was surprisingly good. Not to someone in my position as a scout but in general, other team’s were not expecting Ryan to kill it as much as she did but it makes sense. She has coordination, she is shifty, she has fast feet, quick reflexes, and she moves effortless on or off of the ball. I expect the Saints to give the 1A Class another run for their money this upcoming Winter and Ryan is going to be a crucial part to that success, if they do end up replicating it once again.

We are going to see what Maura Ryan Maura Ryan 5'6" | PG/SG St. Albert | 2027 State IA is all about this Spring/Summer season when she takes the floor with her new Nebraska Supreme AAU team. Ryan, a smooth moving PG, is as cool as the other side of the pillow. When she has the ball coming down the floor, she is very good at holding her possession and running the team’s offensive system. She also has the ability to play off the ball at the 2/3 spot because she can catch-and-shoot and she can let it fly in the blink of an eye. CB – St. Albert is coming off of a 1A State Title. I’m sure they will be favored once again next season to return as champs but it won’t be that simple. Everyone has to return hungry and I think Ryan will. She has been great at leading by example and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon.

I think it’s safe to say that Maura ‘ last=’Ryan’] is a smooth operator when the ball is in her possession. Ryan never seems to be sped up or out of control. She is very good at understanding angles and attacking the hip of her defender when she is driving, usually creating a good amount of space as she blows by for a bucket or assists. She possesses a smooth jumper but it isn’t always on display. She would much rather get to the bucket for an easy finish a majority of the time but that’s not to say she won’t shoot it. She isn’t afraid to let it go from deep at least a few times in each contest from what I’ve seen so defenders have to at least play her straight up. St. Albert’s Championship was a huge group effort but they did have a few guards stand out for their play and Ryan is in that few.

St. Albert High School is on the rise in the 1A Class this Winter. If you have any idea of this varsity roster, it is packed with college talent at multiple positions. Someone out of their sophomore class that has come on the past few months as someone to know from a state wide perspective is their PG/SG – Maura ‘ last=’Ryan’]. Ryan was the “X-Factor” in her team’s win against Harlan Community to end last week. She recorded a game high 28 points and her team won. What more can you ask for? When you also take into consideration that they were missing some of their main pieces due to injury or sickness, it’s even more impressive. I anticipate this group will have a shot to make the State Tournament when that time comes and that will be when everyone around the state starts to realize that Ryan could play at the next level. If she so chooses.