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Message: [QUOTE="Dillon77, post: 2349654, member: 6620"] I'm a bit behind on this trail. You're right, I happened to see the last HS game she'll probably ever play in New Jersey. And now that I think of it, probably one of her first. The change between that first game and the last game was a complete step-change...for the better. Even the concept of her running from end-to-end improved tremendously, not to mention sliding, boxing out, outlet passes and other basics, which we almost take for granted. Maybe I'm a bit of a softee, but three things stick with me: - she didn't start playing the game until just before her move from South America, so she had to learn those basics while being expected to be tall and anchor the defense/rebound; - her living conditions here were fluid and I'd bet, rather challenging from everything we've read and heard; and, - she's a very tall post and most bigs, by nature, take longer to mature. Remember, this young woman is just entering her senior year in high school. Having jsut found my notes from that game, she did attempt a number back-to-the-basket attempts and most of them were off. However, she hit some jump hooks that were well taken, one from each side and made one swell double-pivot move. Hit one or two put backs. Yes, the jumper was the "go to" shot, but why is that a bad thing? (Bri Turner gets crucified for apparently not having one...or not using it more often.) I'm very much hoping she has a good HS senior year on the west coast (I've heard she's relocated there), feels secure/grounded and keeps on moving forward. Hoping that she gets the same kind of guidance and coaching Ruth Hamblin did. Will she be an adequate D1 center? If she moves forward and plays in the right system, I think she's got a chance if she maximizes what she does have. An All American? Hmmm, that's another step up and I'm not sure she'd got the natural talent to be up there. But, one thing we very much agree on, we'll see (and hope for good things for her...). [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach