Ice in Her Veins
Players who can elevate their game to another level when adversity is staring them in the face possess a quality that separates the good players from the great players. Coming up big in clutch moments on the offensive and defensive…
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Continue ReadingPlayers who can elevate their game to another level when adversity is staring them in the face possess a quality that separates the good players from the great players. Coming up big in clutch moments on the offensive and defensive side of the floor speaks not only to a player’s skillset but their mentality. Here are some of the most dangerous players in the clutch.
Dani Adams – Algonquin Regional High – 6’0” – PF/SF – 2022
Adams is a fantastic two-way forward who brings energy and toughness to the Algonquin team. She is so strong in the post and can go to various moves with her back to the basket. With the ability to turn over either shoulder, Adams is near impossible to guard one on one when she pins her defender on the block. The junior forward can face up, take her opponent off the dribble to score, and show great touch on her jump shot. Adams is an impactful defender who can get in the right position and take charges. Also known for her impeccable timing when blocking shots, Adams makes it very difficult to score on when players get in the paint. In the waning moments of a game, she is a player who wants to make a play at the end of the game and is not afraid to be aggressive, get fouled, and step to the charity stripe to knock down game-deciding free throws. Adam’s poise and mental toughness in high-leverage situations make her essential to closing out games for her team.
Victoria Morales – Proctor Academy – 5’7” – PG/SG – 2022
Not many players have the leadership intangible Morales has where her energy and electricity that she brings to every possession rubs off on all of her teammates. The tone-setter for Proctor Academy, Morales has the utmost confidence in herself and her team. A point guard who plays with so much heart has a killer scoring mentality that shines brightest when hitting deep contested threes. This mentality is also evident when displaying her killer crossover before jetting to the basket. Morales is an all-around offensive catalyst who can score at will and make her teammates better by setting them up with open looks off her dribble penetration. As much as you can trust her with the ball in her hands in closing moments, I think she is one of the few who can win games on the defensive side as well. Her mental make-up and competitive spirit allow her to get after it on defense. She gets low in her stance, digs in, and accepts the challenge of shutting down the opposing ball-handler. Her willingness to fight on defense and ability to make game-changing plays makes her an x-factor at the end of games.
Nina Minicozzi – Belmont High – 5’8” – PG/SG – 2022
Minicozzi displayed her clutch gene at the beginning of 2021 by burying the game-winner vs. Lexington. The game-winning sequence from the junior should not go unnoticed and is a microcosm for the type of player she is when the game is on the line. A relentless rebounder, Minicozzi ripped the board off the rim and went coast to coast for a tough left-handed lay-in. The Belmont floor general’s court awareness and time recognition at that moment speak to why she is one of the best facilitators. Always under control, Minicozzi reads the defense well, and change of pace in the open court makes her lethal in transition. Not only a scorer, the 5’8” point guard is an excellent distributor and prides herself in making the right decision, whether it is creating offense for herself or one of her teammates. Minicozzi is fearless, competitive, and will do whatever it takes to win, which is why you can always trust her in the most significant moments of the game.
Jayda Johnson – Hamden Hall – 6’0” – SF/SG – 2023
Johnson’s athletic ability as a sophomore is off the charts. Standing at 6’0” tall combined with her 20.5-inch vertical leap is eye-popping and gives her a physical advantage over most players at her position. Most impressive about Johnson is how she uses her athleticism to assist her in being one of the most lethal scorers in her class. Already eclipsed the 1000 point plateau, Johnson shows incredible footwork in the post and is automatic when she goes to her patented fadeaway jump shot. Her one-on-one game is elite, and she can beat you in several ways in the halfcourt. Her tight handle and quickness allow her to penetrate the lane where she can elevate over the second line of defense and score; yet, aware that if the lane is blocked off, to size up her defender and pull up in the mid-range area, which is automatic. Confident to create offense attacking with either hand, Johnson has one of the more potent isolation packages you will see. With her killer instinct and will to score the basketball, there aren’t many players you want with the ball in their hands to make a big shot who is not named Jayda Johnson.
Maddie Mueller – Carver High/ Wheaton College commit – 6’1” – SF/PF – 2021
Mueller can score 20 points in her sleep, and her length and athleticism make her a nightmare to guard. She is such a polished offensive player, and her versatility stands out. The senior is confident with her back to the basket and scores easily on in the interior. So calm, cool, and collected on the court, Mueller never feels rattled when the ball is in her hands. Her perimeter game is elite, and Mueller can get hot like a pistol from three. Possessing one of the smoothest outside shots, the combo forward can fire from 5 feet beyond the arc, and because of her size, she does not get phased by the defense closing out. Mueller’s 6’1” frame, mixed with her slashing and ability to finish through contact, makes her an automatic go-to option in the 4th quarter.