Under the Radar: Milly Rock
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There have been many monster performances this season by players flying under the radar across the region. Below are a few who have dominated games thus far to begin the season. Photo: [player_tooltip player_id="299627" first="Juliette" last="Tarsa"] Milena Walker Milena…
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Continue ReadingThere have been many monster performances this season by players flying under the radar across the region. Below are a few who have dominated games thus far to begin the season.
Milena Walker Milena Walker 5'11" | SF Waterford High | 2022 State NewE – Waterford – 6’0’’ – SF/PF – ’22
Walker has been off to a ridiculous start to her senior season at Waterford. Even more ridiculous is that her consistently high-level play is flying under the radar. Walker averaged north of 26 points and 14 rebounds in December, highlighted by a 33-point performance vs. Bacon Academy. The Saint Leo commit has been a walking double-double all season, and I do not see her slowing down any time soon. Walker’s ability to beat you inside/out and dominate the glass makes her unstoppable in the halfcourt.
Olivia Gourdine Olivia Gourdine 5'9" | SG Barnstable | 2022 State NewE – Barnstable – 5’8’’ – SG – ’22
Gourdine has been an instrumental part of Barnstable’s season, averaging a double-double. Her 15 points a game should not shock anyone if you have watched Gourdine over the past year, but her rebound numbers are staggering. Ripping down 14.5 boards per game, Gourdine has owned the glass this winter. Gourdine is too strong for most players at the 2 guard spot, so she makes a living getting inside position and bodying anyone around the basket for a rebound. This should not surprise anyone since Gourdine has always been a player who outworks her opponent every possession.
Abby Johnson Abby Johnson 5'6" | CG Carver | 2022 State NewE – Carver -5’6’’ – SG – ’22
An easy way to get my attention as a guard is to rebound at a high level. Rebounding says a lot about a prospect’s toughness and mentality. It should never go unnoticed if an undersized player is consistently battling underneath to secure a possession. Johnson has done that and then some to start her senior season. She also has been a force on the defensive end. Johnson had a near double-double of 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 steals against Hull. Against Cardinal Spellman, Johnson recorded a near triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 steals. These are two examples of the level of impact Johnson can have when she is on the court.
Isabelle Allen Isabelle Allen 5'10" | CG Central | 2024 State NewE – Central – 5’11’’ – CG – ’24
Allen is another prospect who ended the 2021 calendar year with a bang. Throughout December, Allen averaged 29 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals, including a 37-point performance vs. Sumner. Allen continues to widen the gap as the best player in Maine, and it is not because of what she is doing statistically but more so her skill set. She can score 20+ from the perimeter alone, so seeing her put up these monster 30-point performances does not surprise me because her offensive package is as complete as anyone in the ’24 class.
Elisabeth Stapelfeld Elisabeth Stapelfeld PG Hollis-Brookline | 2022 State NewE – Hollis-Brookline – CG – ’22
If you look at the scoring leaders in New Hampshire for Division 2, you’ll see the Saint Joseph’s (ME) commit atop with a near 25-point average. She is a crafty three-level scoring guard who changes speed to get to her scoring spots. Her 16 rebounds in a game against Goffstown jumped out at me. Not only can Stapelfeld light up the scoreboard for 25+ a game, but she is also willing to impact games on the glass. Stapelfeld has been a significant factor in Hollis-Brookline’s 5-1 start.
Claudia Schneider Claudia Schneider 6'0" | SG Pomperaug | 2023 State NewE – Pomperaug – 6’0’’ – SG – ’23
Schneider has been highly impressive with her scoring and consistency in getting to the free-throw line. She is a big aggressive guard who is taking advantage of her size mismatch and drawing fouls at a frequent rate. This past week she posted a monster stat line vs. Naugy, where she put up 24 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals just days after bringing home the North Haven Fred Kelly Memorial Holiday Tournament MVP. In her 24-point outing, Schneider was very good at pushing the ball in transition and locating shooters while also being a strong force around the basket with both hands. She can also step out and consistently knock down three-pointers.