EOT Ultimate Challenge: Day 1 Standout Forwards
Day one at the EOT Ultimate Challenge started off just the way you want, with some outstanding basketball. A lot of the games were heavily impacted by the inside play of forwards and posts. These ladies stood out above the…
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Continue ReadingDay one at the EOT Ultimate Challenge started off just the way you want, with some outstanding basketball. A lot of the games were heavily impacted by the inside play of forwards and posts. These ladies stood out above the rest as impact players that should continue their solid play throughout the Ultimate Challenge.
Ava Schmidt Ava Schmidt 6'2" | C Eastlake | 2023 State WA (2023) | 6’2 | PF | Eastlake | EBC Elite
Schmidt was a force for EBC on both sides of the ball. She was active in the paint, stepping up to contest shots and making sure every shot near her was a tough one. She’s incredibly effective attacking the hoop from the left side and for a period early on in the game, seemed almost unstoppable. She establishes position well and showed good touch through tight defense. She even pulled up in transition for a mid-range shot just beyond the free throw line. She is a physical scorer that brings it on both ends.
Halle Waram (2023) | 6’0 | PF | Edmonds-Woodway | EBC Elite
Waram surprised me Wednesday night with her legit passing ability. She plays down low on defense, snagging boards and defending the paint, but offensively she showed some real skill dishing the ball from the high post. Her ball skills and awareness are fun to watch. There were multiple back cuts she found from the high post for easy layups. Whether it’s a touch lob pass or a bounce pass through a tight window, Waram can find her girl in stride to the basket.
Nisa Ellis Nisa Ellis 6'0" | PF Lake Stevens | 2024 State WA (2024) | 6’0 | PF | Lake Stevens | Team Stuck
One of my favorite players from the day, Ellis plays ready at all times. Her movement specifically on the defensive end and activity on the boards was truly impressive. She seemed to be involved in every scrum, every loose ball, and she smothered the paint. Ellis moves extremely well, is agile, and has great feet. After securing boards, she is quick to look up and get the ball out and showed some nice passing ability in the half-court as well.
Taylor Teeple (2023) | 6’0 | PF | Bellarmine Prep | Cascade Xpress
This girl was a paint beast in her matchup against the SF Sparks. She showed good touch from all angles inside. She worked from the post and was also able to get looks off the dribble, going downhill to the hoop. She’s a strong player with a good enough handle to grab the board and take the ball coast to coast. Teeple really impressed with her dribbling in the post and her ability to eat up space with each step. Of course, you love a post who can hit free throws too, Teeple checks that box as well.
Natalia McBride (2023) | 5’11 | PF | Olympia | Cascade Xpress
McBride is another player who knows how to use her size and dribble to eat space against defenders with her back to the basket. She’s got long strides and works her way back and forth until she arrives at the hoop. She also uses those good strides to glide past out-of-position defenders and finish at the hoop. Her strong upper body helped her finish through contact throughout the game, and draw multiple fouls. Again, she’s an inside player who seeks contact and can finish the play at the free throw line.