Second Half of the Season Standouts: Week 8
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The second half of the season is difficult to some, doubt-filled to others, but goal-driven to most. Can you duplicate what you did in the first half? Can you get better than you were before? Can the team turn things…
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Continue ReadingThe second half of the season is difficult to some, doubt-filled to others, but goal-driven to most. Can you duplicate what you did in the first half? Can you get better than you were before? Can the team turn things around, or keep it together and not get too high on themselves? The second half is a toss-up, but it’s the part of the season where everything means more.
Below are some standouts that came back from break and opened the second half with some noise.
’22 Mia Kennelly | 5’7 Guard | Oaklawn
A strongly built guard that can leave an impact in every category. Mia’s skill set is wide-ranged. She has a quick and fluid jumper, she can finish around the rim with both hands, and her handles aren’t flashy… but they’re controlled enough for her to go coast to coast off her own rebound. Defensively, she’s disciplined on the ball, gets into passing lanes, and also has no problem diving on the floor for loose balls. This past Thursday her team got the win against Hillcrest, as she finished with 33 points and 13 rebounds
’22 Jessie Pakaski | 5’10 Wing | Wauconda
Pakaski is a team-first player, and you can just see it in the way she fills the stat book. Her athleticism mixed with her effort and grit… makes her a true standout on her team. Jessie has the versatility to do anything everything the team needs of her. She can score from the arc to the paint, she can switch and defend 1-4, while also being one of the quickest players on the court. She has a hidden strength that you notice during a boxout situation or how she gets to her spots with ease. Friday night was another glimpse of this as she left the court with 21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 assists.
’24 Grace Nelson Grace Nelson 5'10" | CG Altamont | 2024 State IL | 5’10 High Caliber Guard | Altamont
Some players are just born to score and Grace has the accolades as a sophomore to prove it. 1000 points in only 34 games in her high school career. The sophomore guard is an elite.. but smooth scorer, who can go off at any moment. Her length is a key asset to why she’s able to get where she wants. From the arc she’s automatic, her ball-handling is decisive, and she’s as versatile as they come. On both ends of the court, her presence is felt, and on the glass, she’s ripping them down with ease. This past week she put up a 43 point and 10 rebound double-double.
’22 Janiya Love | 6’2 Post | Thornton
A workhorse of a post who bullies anybody and everyone who tries to compete with her in the paint and on the boards. She’s built to finish through contact and has a set of hands that are gluelike. If you front her, she’ll ask for it over the top, and it’s a bucket. Those same hands and tough built are seen on the glass.. and that’s on both sides. She has great awareness of where she’s at in the paint for a quick catch and finish. A true post who just goes to work.. and she did just that on Thursday night after she finished with 22 points and 19 rebounds.
’23 Camrynn Howie | 5’8 Guard | Chester
A lefty guard who uses her strength and finesse to get to the basket. Howie has the textbook lefty form that’s just pure and perfect. She’s a threat from every angle and spot on the court. She can knock down the longball, stop and pop at the mid, and has the quick off-the-dribble or off the triple threat to drive and get to the bucket. On the boards, she uses her strength to fight and grab them at an alarming rate. She plays with pace and poise and never seems to allow the opponent to speed her up. This past Monday she capped the night off with 30 points and 13 rebounds. She went 5/6 from the 3, and 10/12 from the field as a whole.
’23 Abbey Schreacke Abbey Schreacke 6'0" | SG Quincy Notre Dame | 2023 State IL | 5’11 Wing | Quincy Notre Dame
The talent & skillset, combined with her length, causes Abbey to be a mismatch for most if not all players that have to guard her. She’s smooth and plays a style that seems to have gone away. She goes to work in the midrange, whether it’s a post-up, pull up or spot-up shot. From the 3 point line, she can sink them as well. Her ball-handling skills are smooth and simple but are used to just get her to where she needs to be. Her long arms allow her to affect the game in other aspects as well. Schreacke will grab boards, get deflections, pick off passes, and round up timely blocks. She knows how to use her frame. But… the craziest thing about her game is that you can tell.. that it’s far from a finished product and that’s really exciting to see. Thursday night was just another night for Abbey, as she put up 33 points and secured 10 boards.
’24 Molli Ward Molli Ward 5'10" | SG Carmel Catholic | 2024 IL | 5’10 Wing | Home Ed ( HRK Eagles)
Colleges need to tune in to the Homeschooled teams, cause the HRK Eagles out of Lake County are home to a very talented wing. Molli’s skillset can transfer to any situation or offense, mainly based on her low maintenance attitude and playstyle. She’s a tall wing who has guard-like skills. She can show impact from all spots on the court. She’s consistent from the arc. Tough and creative in the paint (both hands) and patient in the post/mid. She handles the ball well and can weave through traffic… they’re not flashy, but she uses them to get her to spot. Ward has great vision on the move and in a triple threat situation. She’s relentless on the boards as well. This past week she had multiple games where she stuffed the stat sheet. Wednesday night she finished with 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 9 steals. Saturday night was some of the same.. 42 points ( 6/10 from the arc), 15 rebounds and 8 steals.