Carolina Rise Fall League: Underclassmen
Carolina Rise is hosting a fall league again this year helping high school athletes stay in shape for their basketball seasons in between travel team tournaments and school ball starting again. Here are some of the stars I got to…
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Continue ReadingCarolina Rise is hosting a fall league again this year helping high school athletes stay in shape for their basketball seasons in between travel team tournaments and school ball starting again.
Here are some of the stars I got to see play this weekend that are part of the 2023, 2024, and 2025 classes.
Mia Xerras Mia Xerras 5'6" | CG Myers Park | 2023 State NC | 2023
Xerras pushes the ball up the court weaving in and out of defenders with ease. She can shoot from all over the court, and she is an asset on defense grabbing steals and causing deflections in the passing lanes. I don’t think it was a coincidence that she was also in charge of guarding the best player for the other team.
Reagan Iovino Reagan Iovino 5'4" | CG Cuthbertson | 2023 State NC | 2023
Iovino continues to show why she is one of the top shooters in the state. She is always ready to shoot the ball, and you can bet on her shot going in from behind the arc. She knows how to create separation for herself to get off her shot, or she catches the pass ready to shoot. She is a very strong defender as well staying close to her opponent causing problems for them whether she is picking their pocket or blocking their shot.
Amanda Sacoto | 2023
Sacoto came off the bench and contributed right away with a nice block. She also had some second chance points fighting for rebounds on both ends of the court. She was jumping into passing lanes grabbing steals and causing deflections making it difficult for the opponents to get any kind of offense going.
Blanca Thomas | 2024
Thomas was phenomenal inside knowing exactly how to move her body and her feet in order to make a play. She used several different post moves in the game including spin moves, power dribbles, and up and unders. Her length was a problem on defense because her hands seemed to be all over the ball. She was constantly grabbing rebounds for her team, and she knew exactly where to go with the ball once she had it.
Olivia Fava | 2024
Fava was another great ball handler. She was speedy with the ball making it seem like she could grab a steal and score a layup all the way on the other end of the court in a matter of seconds. Her shot was on display, too, from behind the arc. She was constantly moving on defense jumping into passing lanes causing deflections and steals consistently.
Gracynn Gough | 2024
Gough is a strong inside player getting her way underneath the basket. She can handle the ball well, too, and she can move her defender wherever she wants in order to score. She also sees the floor well looking for her open teammates and making smart passes. She runs the floor finding ways to contribute on fast breaks whether she is looking for the pass or getting ready for the rebound.
Kaylee Carson | 2024
Carson did a great job moving with the ball separating herself from her opponents whether she was blowing by them or stepping back for a nice jump shot. She causes problems on defense, too, grabbing steals and pushing the ball up the other end of the court. She was also available for the pass in transition if she wasn’t dribbling the ball herself.
Jamyrah Cherry | 2024
Cherry was an asset on both ends of the court. She was grabbing rebounds for her team ending the possession of her opponents. She can even push the ball up the court herself for her own fast break points. She showed off her shot on offense making three pointers.
Maya McCorkle | 2024
Hicks was on fire shooting from behind the arc. She even used that as a weapon to have her opponent try to close out on her which is when she blew by them. She had a nice spin move that she used to set herself up for a jump shot in the middle of the paint. She even hustles after every loose ball. She showed no fear when driving against contact.
Ranon Suttle | 2025
Suttle was an excellent ball handler for Arborbrook. She knew how to protect the ball pushing it up the court against contact. If she wasn’t the one driving the ball on a fast break, she was certainly present and ready for a pass to help support her teammates. She was constantly moving all over the court jumping into gaps on defense making sure she can grab a pass and showed that she was always ready to shoot.