HerStory Top Performers Part I
We have been looking forward to the HerStory Classic for quite some time, and it did not disappoint! In our first all girls event, stories were started and championships were won. Check out part I of the top overall performers.
I believe Bates may have as much upside as any player in the state. At 6-foot-2, she has an incredibly long frame and good leaping ability. Throughout the weekend, she utilized her size, getting in the paint and elevating over smaller defenders. She plays with a lot of patience, seeing what the defense gives her before she makes her move. On the defensive end, she blocks and alters a ton of shots and snags rebounds right out of the air with those long arms. Once she secures the board, she has the ability to lead the break or go coast-to-coast.
As I mentioned several times throughout the weekend, Coskun was the best overall player that I saw. The 6-footer has the size and skillset that allows her to be versatile on both ends. She dominated in the paint with her footwork and touch around the rim, but she also knocked down some perimeter shots and made plays off the dribble. Defensively, she was dominant on the boards and showed her ability to guard both forward and guard positions.
Warriors Life Elite were in a few close games that came down to the wire, and Destiny Mason had a big effect on the outcome. Whether she led a come back to close the gap, or hit a big shot to shift the momentum, she did some of everything for her team. Her aggressive style of play did not take long to stand out to me. Each time she gets the ball, she looks to get downhill and attack. She even carries that same aggressiveness to the defensive end, where she has the tools to be a stifling on-ball defender.
Merrill was one of the best 3-point shooters in attendance. She does not hesitate to let it fly from deep, and can surely get hot in a hurry. There were multiple games where she knocked down 3+ triples, and her efficient shooting was a large reason why EOTO MISS made it to the championship game. Not only can she shoot it, but she can make plays off the bounce, too. Once the defense played tight on her due to her shooting, she takes advantage by attacking and getting into the lane.
Ovalles was one of the top overall scorers on the weekend. The 5-foot-9 guard plays with a lot of confidence and does not shy away from taking big shots. This kid wants the ball in her hands and feels that she can go get a bucket on anyone. She shot it well from three, knocking down 4+ in two games. Her midrange game was also effective, especially off the dribble pull up. She does a good job of getting to her spots and taking good, open shots.
Pierce was the best point guard that I saw. I'm not just talking players that label themselves as a point guard, this kid is a true floor general. EOTO Black's offense was most effective when the offense ran through her. She has a good feel for the game, knowing when to push the pace vs slow it down, and making good reads. She also looks to get the ball up the court as quickly as possible, rather than dribbling up the floor. Pierce can score the ball in a variety of ways and makes the game easier for her teammates, too. Defensively, she is a pesky defender that causes all types of disruptions. Her overall play helped to lead EOTO Black to an undefeated weekend and the varsity bracket championship.
