Weekend Overview: The New Hampshire Pyramid
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After an action-packed weekend filled with competitive New Hampshire basketball, I wanted to highlight some other stand-out performers I saw who were impactful to their teams. Below I provide my live in-game notes for the tier 3 players, and for…
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Continue ReadingAfter an action-packed weekend filled with competitive New Hampshire basketball, I wanted to highlight some other stand-out performers I saw who were impactful to their teams. Below I provide my live in-game notes for the tier 3 players, and for the top 2 tiers, providing deeper analysis by breaking down what they did to separate themselves from the other athletes.
TIER 3:
Cheyenne Colbert Cheyenne Colbert 6'0" | PF Hollis-Brookline | 2023 State NewE – BDS/Hollis Brookline – 6’0’’ – PF – ’23
’23 PGH Rank: WL
- Athletic forward/excellent vertical
- One of the best interior defenders of the weekend/protects the rim without fouling
- Quick first jump/jumps straight up
- Tenacious rebounder on both ends
- Solid mid-range shooter
Megan Roberts Megan Roberts 5'7" | SG Hinsdale | 2022 NewE – Keene Owls/Hinsdale – 5’7’’ – SG – ’22
’22 PGH Rank: WL
- Excellent catch and shoot wing
- She consistently follows her shot/creates many 2nd chances on offense for Owls
- Quick-release/catches the ball ready to shoot
- Moves well without ball/cuts hard/knows how to get open
- One of the most efficient shooters from the weekend
Elizabeth Blinn Elizabeth Blinn 6'1" | PF Concord | 2022 State NewE – BDS/Concord – 6’1’’ – PF – ’22
’22 PGH Rank: WL
- Best two-way big from the weekend
- Excellent shot blocker
- Runs the floor well
- Slides feet well on defense/can switch out on guards on the perimeter
- Soft-touch around the basket/good footwork on the block
.@elizblinn at 6’1 showing her defensive versatility guarding a guard on the perimeter and then doing what she does best! Might be the best shot blocker in the state! @BashHoopsNE pic.twitter.com/ChcVEGbnxi
— Greg Cotreau (@CoachCotreau) May 3, 2021
TIER 2:
Olivia Murray Olivia Murray 5'8" | CG Bishop Guertin | 2023 State NewE – BDS/Bishop Guertin – 5’8’’ – SG – ’23
’23 PGH Rank: WL
Murray is an electric scorer who at any moment can get hot and explode for 30 points. Over the weekend, I was fascinated by not just the raw number of points she had but how Murray was scoring them. Murray’s innovation off the dribble and ability to get off clean looks from the outside was impressive. She used her crafty handle and footwork to create space between the defender and herself and hit some eye-popping shots. Murray was also aggressive getting to the basket. She showed a quick first step and got to the rim whenever she wanted. Murray was very impactful on defense, cutting off angles, taking charges, and forcing turnovers in the halfcourt. Murray also makes hustle plays and does the little things to help her team win, showing how she is a complete all-around athlete.
A few highlights of @_oliviajmurray from yesterday’s @ZeroGravityBB 10th Grade #NHstates Championship game. Good D, Hustle, and a 3 at the half buzzer. Basketball IQ plays a huge part in this kids game. #NOTjustAscorer @BashHoopsNE @zg_newengland pic.twitter.com/OggXUdm4Ux
— BDS Basketball (@BDS_Basketball) May 3, 2021
Colby Guinta Colby Guinta 5'10" | SF Tilton | 2022 State NewE – BDS/Tilton – 5’11’’ – SF – ’22
’22 PGH Rank: WL
Guinta was one of the more valuable players over the weekend because she can do a little bit of everything and has the height and strength to go with her skill set. I like how comfortable she is being a point-forward, pushing the ball in transition, and be a playmaker on the break. Guinta is unique because if I am an opposing coach, I am not sure who would be the best player to defend Guinta and not get exposed. Against the NH Huskies, Emmy Plague Emmy Plague 5'9" | SF Derryfield | 2021 NewE , who by my estimation was the best wing defender of the weekend, tried checking her, and Guinta drew 4 fouls on her, with 3 of those coming in the 1st half. Guinta is too strong for wings; she is too quick and crafty on the perimeter for bigs trying to defend her. What makes the 5’11’’ wing a bigger threat is that she is an efficient shooter with range extended beyond the three, and Guinta has a high release that is impossible to disrupt. From a consistency standpoint, no forward was more steady throughout the weekend than Guinta.
At 5’10, @colby_guinta is an elite 3 level scorer who can guard multiple positions and her size allows her to hit tough contested shots! pic.twitter.com/ipho308smC
— Greg Cotreau (@CoachCotreau) May 3, 2021
TIER 1:
Ava Winterburn Ava Winterburn 6'2" | PF Goffstown | 2023 State NewE – SNH Saints/Goffstown – 6’2’’ – PF/SF – ’23
’23 PGH Rank: #24
Winterburn’s impact on the Saints is noticeable as soon as she gets subbed out of the game. Her combination of size, athleticism, and skill on both sides of the ball is frightening, and Winterburn’s presence alone alters the opponents’ game plan. She is an excellent rim protector and dominates the paint on defense, resulting in teams settling for low percentage perimeter shots. When Winterburn came out of the game, the opposing offense became more aggressive, going to the basket and taking advantage of the shot-blocking forward not being on the floor. The Saints defense is suffocating and intimidating with Winterburn on the court displaying her versatility guarding multiple positions on the court. On offense, Winterburn was good at handling the ball in transition and making smart plays. She makes terrific outlet passes that consistently lead the guards and ignite the fastbreak. She was also a terror around the basket, securing extra possessions for the Saints and finishing strong down low. Winterburn’s stock continues to rise as the spring progresses, and she showed top 15 level impact over the weekend.