Nike TOC Iowa Session III Bracket Play: Cal Stars 16U Red
Minnesota Fury 2022, L 47 – 50 In the first game of Day 3, the Cal Stars 16U Red were met by a Minnesota Fury team that plays within the Under Armour Association. This team was led by Mallory Heyer,…
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Continue ReadingMinnesota Fury 2022, L 47 – 50
In the first game of Day 3, the Cal Stars 16U Red were met by a Minnesota Fury team that plays within the Under Armour Association. This team was led by Mallory Heyer, a talented forward who specializes in the post with great footwork and physicality. This was a close one all game long, as the Stars were led by Natalie Pasco and Maya Hernanez who scored 8 a piece.. Pasco was the intelligent scorer who got baskets with ease whereas Maya was the hard working blue collar post who rebounded and defended with intention as she also had 7 rebounds and 3 steals.
The talented guard tandem of Randi Harding and Nya Epps had 7 each for the Stars, as they each came in and scored in pivotal moments for the club especially down the stretch. Mallory Heyer was a significant threat against the Stars all game long as she made some tough baskets despite great interior defense with evasive and light footwork and a sensational touch. She ended up with 22 points and 4 rebounds in a great effort. The Stars ultimately came up short despite a great group effort.
Wheat State Elite Paul 2022, L 47-50
The Stars were tested by a tough 2022 Wheat State Elite team led by the talents of Brittany Harshaw – a talent shooting guard that has length and size along to go with her consistent stroke. Randi Harding and Nya Epps provided depth and scoring in the guard category as Harding had 7 points whereas Harding had 8. Natalie Pasco was another significant contributor at the guard position with 5 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals for the Stars as she provided a role as a two way player. Forward wise they had the tandem of Faith Shelton and Maya Hernandez, who made it difficult for their opposition to score.
Shelton had 2 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists as she showcased her passing abilities from the high post. Maya Hernandez was on the same tier defensively as she provided 4 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals for the Stars. The game was a close affair especially during the last few minutes of the second half, as the Stars took turns carving them with their multitude of scoring options. Ella Wedin Ella Wedin 6'0" | SG La Salle | 2023 State OR had a great all around game in 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 block, and 1 steal. However, Brittany Harshaw was not to be stopped as she scored 23 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in a masterful performance, including a three-point play within the last minute. For good measure, she grabbed a full court lob off an inbounds play and scored to ensure victory for them.
Run GMC, W 60 – 49
The Stars came out aggressive as Run GMC could never quite get their footing in the first half. The scoring was pervasive, as this was a theme throughout the day. Randy Harding led the scoring efforts with a 9 point performance as she spread her scores throughout the game in the form of jump shots and timely attempts to the basket. Natalie Pasco played another two way effort in her 8 point, 4 rebound, 2 steal performance as a utility player that defends and rebounds but also has a few different ways to score offensively.
Faith Shelton was a surprise in the contest, as she had 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists as she had some dazzling assists that came in the form of full court swings to high post finds. Maya Hernandez was another consistent finding in the forward position as she had 7 points and 5 rebounds. Nya Epps had 6 points and Ella Wedin Ella Wedin 6'0" | SG La Salle | 2023 State OR had an efficient 6 points off two threes to go with 2 assists and 1 steals. Wedin’s length helped her defensively and she made sure to connect on her touches on the perimeter. This was another trademark team effort that ended up with a positive result, as the Stars ended the week with a win.
Trinity Zamora and Ella Wedin Ella Wedin 6'0" | SG La Salle | 2023 State OR : Versatility
Zamora has been somewhat of a surprise for a loaded Cal Stars team as she will quietly come in and provide some impressive baskets for her club. She has the length of a forward, but has the great skills to defend on the perimeter as well as hit some shots from outside. She had a total of 14 points in the three games of bracket play. Ella Wedin Ella Wedin 6'0" | SG La Salle | 2023 State OR has made the most out of her minutes, as she will score from deep and collect a myriad of assists across the box score as a utility player who uses her length and IQ to the best of her abilities. She has been challenged to expand her game and has passed with flying colors.
Hernandez and Shelton: The Twin Towers
The Stars like to keep one of these prolific defenders in the game to hold it down in the post, as they have strikingly similar games for the Stars. Maya Hernandez and Faith Shelton are both agile, physical forwards that rebound at a great rate, maneuver well around the rim, and can score off second chance opportunities for the Stars. They played some great basketball for their team with their overall two way savviness.
Harding/Epps/Pasco: Triple Threat
Randi Harding, Nya Epps, and Natalie Pasco have provided stability and consistency in the guard spot for the Stars as they are almost interchangeable when a scoring option is needed. Epps is the isolation scorer, Epps is the timely smooth guard, whereas Pasco can create her own opportunities from rebounding and spacing. They have all come in huge for the Stars as they have messed together and learned their roles within their intricate system.