State Farm Holiday Classic: 16 thoughts from Round 1 large schools
The first round of the State Farm Holiday Classic is complete and there weren’t any surprises with first-round results. Seven of the eight higher seeds won, except Chicago Kenwood beating Geneseo in the eight-nine matchup. A full day is ahead…
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Continue ReadingThe first round of the State Farm Holiday Classic is complete and there weren’t any surprises with first-round results. Seven of the eight higher seeds won, except Chicago Kenwood beating Geneseo in the eight-nine matchup.
A full day is ahead so here are 16 thoughts on the first day of action, broken down by each game.
Here is your up-to-date @sfclassic large-school girls bracket. pic.twitter.com/r2AkNjGNmq
— Aaron Ferguson (@Sports_Aaron) December 27, 2018
Kenwood 77, Geneseo 60
1. Kenwood is as strong of a team in the field as anyone and a nine seed was a tough draw for previously-unbeaten Geneseo and will bring an interesting second-round matchup against defending Class 3A-champion Richwoods. The Broncos have a pair of freshmen guards in Brianna McDaniel (2022) and Whitney Dunn (2022) that are going to wreck havoc on opponents for years to come. Pair them with Missouri-Kansas City recruit Tamara Nard (2019) and Kenwood is a force.
2. Geneseo has the makings of a tough out in a regional or sectional. Six-foot forward Hannah Himmelman (2019) is as effective of a rebounder as shown from traditional centers. Kaitlyn Webster (2019) would spell Himmelman and was effective despite being much smaller (5-6) than her counterparts. More consistent guard play would have helped, especially from Kammie Ludwig (2022), who is receiving Division-I interest, with Keeli Frerichs (2020) battling foul trouble for most of the game.
Lines of the game: Brianna McDaniel (Kenwood, Fr., G, 5-11) – 22 points (10-15/2-3/0-0), 10 rebounds, 3 steals;
Hannah Himmelamn (Geneseo, Sr., F, 6-0) – 14 points (5-9/0-0/4-6), 11 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist
Richwoods 58, U-High 35
3. Richwoods’ length and athleticism was too much for a smaller U-High team, which dictated the pace. Jaida McCloud (2020) was a two-way star and showcased why she’s receiving solid mid-major interest. Tianna Johnson (uncommitted 2019) continues to be the glue that holds the team together by her facilitating (five assists) and willingness to crash the glass (four rebounds). Marquette recruit Camryn Taylor (2019) was strong in the post and disruptive defensively on her way to 16 points, five rebounds and three steals before sitting the rest of the game after picking up a technical foul in the third quarter.
4. U-High didn’t hit enough shots to keep this game competitive, despite getting several open looks. U-High executed back screens to free up the corner 3-point shooter excellently. The Pioneers turned it over 22 times, too. But 5-9 forward Chelsie Price (2020) was admirable in crashing the glass with seven rebounds.
Lines of the game: Jaida McCloud (Richwoods, Jr., W, 6-1) – 16 points (4-9/1-5/7-12), 6 rebounds, 6 steals; Chelsie Price (U-High, Jr., F, 5-9) – 5 points (2-4/0-0/1-3), 7 rebounds
Civic Memorial 56, Springfield 37
5. Anna Hall (2020) is a load to handle, even for a Springfield team with capable bigs. The 5-11 junior was a two-way threat with her five steals being as important as her 24 points. She can shoot from the perimeter and get to the free-throw line by taking someone off the dribble. She was just quick enough to get by bigger defenders, but working on her speed and agility will elevate her game at the next level.
6. On an off-night for Maya Fetter (2019), her teammates stepped up admirably. Sarah Byrd (2020) looked comfortable driving and moving the ball offensively for a 5-10 forward, but it was Abby Ratsch (2019) who secured possessions when the Senators needed a stop to stay in the game. The 6-foot Ratsch finished with eight points and 11 rebounds.
Lines of the game: Anna Hall (Civic Memorial, Jr., F, 5-11) – 24 points (10-17/1-3/3-4) 6 rebounds, 5 steals, 2 blocks; Sarah Byrd (Springfield, Jr., F, 5-10) – 12 points (6-8/0-0/0-2), 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Rock Island 75, Bloomington 40
7. Two-time Ms. Basketball Brea Beal (2019) is making her younger teammates better at Rock Island. Beal, a South Carolina-signee, is one of two seniors on Henry Hall’s roster, but the future looks bright. Brooklynn Larson (2021) knocked down open shots when given the opportunity. She was 4-for-6 from the field and 3-for-5 from 3-point range, scoring 13 points. Forward Hannah Simmer (2020) scored 11 points working inside. Wing Jamyah Winter (2021) is an intriguing prospect with good range. The 5-10 sophomore scored 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting, grabbed six rebounds and dished two assists.
8. Bree O’Neal (2019) is a gamer. The 5-7 guard left the game to get her shooting hand taped, which impacted her shot. But she didn’t let that stop her from trying to make a difference. As a result, she scored 14 points, grabbed four rebounds and had five steals.
Lines of the game: Brea Beal (Rock Island, Sr., G, 6-1) – 14 points (7-15/0-1/0-0), 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals; Bree O’Neal (Bloomington, Sr., G, 5-7) – 14 points (6-12/1-5/1-5), 5 steals, 4 rebounds
Morton 50, Wheaton Warrenville South 27
9. Morton didn’t play its best and still won by 23. Butler recruit Tenley Dowell (2019) was an efficient 6-for-10 for her 13 points while grabbing seven rebounds. But this was a night for Courtney Jones (2020) to show she is a scorer when needed. The 5-8 guard is the type of player a coach wants in their program because she’ll fight for rebounds, sees the court well and can score with her shooting, driving and getting to the free-throw line.
10. Nothing seemed to go the Tigers way. Morton’s length bothered them, not just in passing lanes but getting the ball up court. Credit to Iowa State soccer recruit Mira Emma (2019) for relentlessly attacking the taller Morton defenders.
Lines of the game: Courtney Jones (Morton, Jr., G, 5-8) – 10 points (4-6/1-1/1-1), 3 assists, 2 rebounds; Mira Emma (Wheaton Warrenville South, Sr., G) – 7 points (2-7/1-6/4-4), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Simeon 61, Normal West 37
11. Every Wolverine scored, which shows the depth and skill level of Simeon. They should be a favorite to reach state. Aneesah Morrow (2021) is fully healthy after recently returning from a knee injury that held her out of the early portion of the season. The high-major recruit was active in every facet of the game. Kansas State recruit Jada Thorpe (2020) is as skilled of a guard offensively in the tournament. She’s a true scorer that can blow by anyone with a quick first step to get to the rim.
12. Normal West was outmatched in size and athleticism, but Rosh Webb (2020) wasn’t afraid to attack Simeon. She took 10 free-throw attempts and grabbed eight rebounds. Ayanna Gibbs (2019) made smart plays at times but also plays out of control and too quick for her own body. If she were to figure that out, she’d be a nice piece.
Lines of the game: Aneesah Morrow (Simeon, So., G, 6-1) – 14 points (6-10/1-2/1-4), 3 rebounds, 1 steal; Rosh Webb (Normal West, Jr., F, 5-8) – 10 points (1-6/0-0/8-10), 10 rebounds
St. Ignatius 58, Normal Community 33
13. St. Ignatius is far better than anticipated. Wash U (MO) recruit Molly Gannon (2019) scored 16 points while showcasing dazzling handles and quickness. But Lauren McDonald (2021), Nicolette McDonald (2020) and Paige Gross (2020) showed why the Wolfpack are talented. Gross showed great court vision with a game-high four assists. The McDonalds are versatile, showing the ability to play inside or out.
14. Normal Community looked to be in vacation mode after a 3-1 trip to Phoenix, and not a team with three Division-I players. Turning it over 19 times and shooting 11-for-40 isn’t going to win many games. Neither will not involving Evansville recruit Abby Feit (2019) until the second half. She is versatile enough offensively to take over a game, especially paired with Illinois State recruit Maya Wong (2020) at guard.
Lines of the game: Lauren McDonald (St. Ignatius, So., G, 5-9) – 12 points (5-8/2-3/0-0), 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 assist; Maya Wong (Normal Community, Jr., G, 5-8) – 10 points (4-9/1-5/1-2), 2 assists, 2 rebounds
Ryle (KY) 64, Canton 42
15. Maddie Scherr (2020) is as good as advertised (ranked 25th in her class by ESPNW), but it was Rice recruit Lauren Schwartz (2019), Juliet McGregor (2019) and Brie Crittendon (2021) that stole the show. Schwartz was an efficient scorer despite and 0-for-5 night from 3-point range. McGregor scored 11 points on 5-for-9 shooting while grabbing six rebounds. Crittendon, a 5-9 guard, was an inefficient 3-for-12 for her six points but grabbed 13 rebounds and four steals. Scherr battled foul trouble in the first half and ended with 12 points on 4-for-12 shooting, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block.
16. St. Ambrose recruit Anna Plumer (2019) came out clicking, coincidentally after struggling to make shots during pregame warm-ups. Plumer gave the Lady Giants life and a 10-8 lead in the first quarter to force a Ryle timeout. She was 5-for-8 in the first half before going 0-for in the second half. Cassidy Fawcett (uncommitted 2019) struggled in the first half before going 4-for-6 in the second half, scoring all but one of her 13 points. She also grabbed three rebounds and had three assists.
Lines of the game: Lauren Schwartz (Ryle, Sr., G, 5-11) – 26 points (12-20/0-5/2-2), 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks; Anna Plumer (Canton, Sr., G, 5-10) – 13 points (5-12/3-7/0-0), 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Moment of the night
Every year the State Farm Holiday Classic honors a long-time volunteer of the tournament. Longtime Normal West fan, scorekeeper and volunteer at the tournament Charlie Crabtree died on Dec. 6 after the Normal West Junior Varsity team was hit head-on by a semi-truck going the wrong way on Interstate-74. He was honored following Normal West’s game against Simeon, in which Simeon stayed on the floor and the entire venue gave Crabtree a deserved standing ovation.
The family of Charlie Crabtree accepts the Selden Marquart Volunteer of the Year award on his behalf. Charlie was a long-time volunteer at the Classic, and a big part of the @NCWHSATHLETICS girls basketball program.
Charlie passed away earlier this month in a team bus accident. pic.twitter.com/HFoQgvmqcA
— State Farm Holiday Classic (@sfclassic) December 27, 2018