It it worthy of note that Canada is shooting from three point land at a much higher percentageThe only likely competitive game is Canada who blew through the other group phase 3-0 - no other team ended the three group games with a positive MOV. USA with an MOV of +182 and Canada ended with +104. I think Canada had the tougher group as they had Brazil and Argentina in their group who are generally better than the other teams (except Canada.)
ONO was very good running the floor. ICE was still running the floor at the end ofQuestion for those who have actually seen these games:
Ice: got wisdom on how she runs the floor..end-to-end?
I would say ONO was a near 10 in that category... for her size. How goes Ice compared to that?
Coco, I interpreted "the academic [side]" to be the non-basketball side of campus life, i.e. the social side. But we are getting way off topic here.” Amy Poffenbarger said regarding Saylor’s decision. “The academic [side] wasn’t super-engaging, there wasn’t much to the campus life, and there wasn’t the ability to get out and meet a lot of people. Unfortunately that part of college life ... that part wasn’t happening for her.”
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Middletown's Saylor Poffenbarger transferring from UConn
Saylor Poffenbarger graduated from Middletown High in the middle of last school year to get started on her college career at Connecticut in 2021. Now, not a year later, she’swww.fredericknewspost.com
(please note the smiley)There’s not been a lot of good passing in the interior so far. But the guards may rise to the challenge of a better opponent. But I’d be surprised if Canada has anyone who can stay with Ice and Rosario if we can get them the ball.It it worthy of note that Canada is shooting from three point land at a much higher percentage
than USA: T'yana Todd from Boston College, Emma Kobel from Duke, Lemyah Hylton from
Arizona, and Jasmine Bascoe from a Canadian school. Will our interior play sustain the USA??
I also thought Rice seemed larger than I expected. She’s listed at 5’11” but she looks bigger than Paige. Maybe it’s just the camera angles.Can't lie...hard to watch. Some random observations. Brady is good. Duh, right? McMahon is a steal. AA potential if you ask me. Rosario is steady....double double machine. Rice is bigger than I thought. She seems tired to me. Van Slooten is better than I thought. Not athletic, but she works hard. Pissott looked like she's working on shots other than 3s. A little inconsistent, but I'll chalk that up to chemistry. Better rebounder than I thought. I think her biggest obstacle this tear will be the SEC physicality.
If ONO was a 10 and we are strictly talking about running the floor then Ice is probably a 9.889+. What I mean by that is ice is going to get to the front of the rim a step slower than Liv did at a comparable age which was U17 USA basketball. As we both know it's not all about just running the floor and that + sign for Brady would lead me to believe that although Liv would arrived at the basket sooner Ice will ultimately be more productive. Ice arrives at the basket with more force and greater balance which is crucial to finishing through contact which at most times is unavoidable.Question for those who have actually seen these games:
Ice: got wisdom on how she runs the floor..end-to-end?
I would say ONO was a near 10 in that category... for her size. How goes Ice compared to that?
Canada has one big girl (First name - Fatima) almost Del Rosario's size but not as athletic. It should be an interesting match up for Ice. She'll have to use her moves and quickness, because I don't think she'll be able to just overpower the Canadian center.There’s not been a lot of good passing in the interior so far. But the guards may rise to the challenge of a better opponent. But I’d be surprised if Canada has anyone who can stay with Ice and Rosario if we can get them the ball.
I should have been more specific in my observation. I thought she was thinner. Her legs look powerful.I also thought Rice seemed larger than I expected. She’s listed at 5’11” but she looks bigger than Paige. Maybe it’s just the camera angles.
I felt that way too. But she also looks taller as well. I’ve seen a few games of hers on YouTube, and she seemed slender and long at 5’11”. In this series, though, she seems closer to Olivia Miles in size and build. Not quite as big as Sonia Citron. She and Miles also share some moves in the lane.I should have been more specific in my observation. I thought she was thinner. Her legs look powerful.
If this tournament comes down to USA and Canada, which it probably will (IMO). It isThere’s not been a lot of good passing in the interior so far. But the guards may rise to the challenge of a better opponent. But I’d be surprised if Canada has anyone who can stay with Ice and Rosario if we can get them the ball.
Great observations. Just to add - not only is she solid with the ball and can actually bring it up the floor (not guard skills, but great ball handling for a big), but there was a play where she snatched the rebound, and threw a touchdown pass to a teammate who was sprinting the floor. The teammate caught the pass in stride for a layup. It seems that she has excellent court vision in addition to all her other skills. And obviously strong enough to throw an end to end pass with accuracy.If ONO was a 10 and we are strictly talking about running the floor then Ice is probably a 9.889+. What I mean by that is ice is going to get to the front of the rim a step slower than Liv did at a comparable age which was U17 USA basketball. As we both know it's not all about just running the floor and that + sign for Brady would lead me to believe that although Liv would arrived at the basket sooner Ice will ultimately be more productive. Ice arrives at the basket with more force and greater balance which is crucial to finishing through contact which at most times is unavoidable.
One other beautiful aspect of Brady game is she is a great transition ignitor. Not only is she a very good rebounder but she is absolutely awesome at advancing the ball with those two first dribbles (more if necessary) with her head up to start the transition. Those first two step are crucial and instead of looking for a guard to pass the ball to Ice is already accessing the defense when the defense is at its most vulnerable. That may seem like a small thing but it is going to pay huge dividends for UCONN. Aubrey Dorka, and Ayanna are going to get get layups off that action by running the floor hard & Caroline, Paige, Lou ^2 and Azzi are going to get many open looks by fanning out to shoot the transition 3.
This is the type of match up/competition I want to see for Brady. Lesser competition is not a concern to me. The Bostons of the league is what I'm concerned with. THEY provide the level of play we must overcome to win in March. Can she out play or dominate a player this big?Continuation from my post above.
Canada has one big girl (First name - Fatima, 6'5" who plays for Georgia) almost Del Rosario's size but not as athletic. It should be an interesting match up for Ice. She'll have to use her moves and quickness, because I don't think she'll be able to just overpower the Canadian center. Fatima played the entire first quarter in Canada's last game vs Argentina. Though she only played 15 minutes in total.
I see the USA-Canada game playing out this way. The USA will have an advantage on the boards, in outside shooting (despite Canada having a better 3 point percentage so far), in committing fewer turnovers and much more depth.
I agree, I thought Ice ran the floor well, and as you point out can also push it up the court a little. Maybe get some Hockey assists, the pass that leads to the pass etc. That is one of the things that doesn't show up in the stat sheets that Nika does by pushing the pace, Ayanna appears to have that ability as well, and maybe Aubrey too if healthy.If ONO was a 10 and we are strictly talking about running the floor then Ice is probably a 9.889+. What I mean by that is ice is going to get to the front of the rim a step slower than Liv did at a comparable age which was U17 USA basketball. As we both know it's not all about just running the floor and that + sign for Brady would lead me to believe that although Liv would arrived at the basket sooner Ice will ultimately be more productive. Ice arrives at the basket with more force and greater balance which is crucial to finishing through contact which at most times is unavoidable.
One other beautiful aspect of Brady game is she is a great transition ignitor. Not only is she a very good rebounder but she is absolutely awesome at advancing the ball with those two first dribbles (more if necessary) with her head up to start the transition. Those first two step are crucial and instead of looking for a guard to pass the ball to Ice is already accessing the defense when the defense is at its most vulnerable. That may seem like a small thing but it is going to pay huge dividends for UCONN. Aubrey Dorka, and Ayanna are going to get get layups off that action by running the floor hard & Caroline, Paige, Lou ^2 and Azzi are going to get many open looks by fanning out to shoot the transition 3.
Based on the limited play I’ve been from Brady during this tournament, I think Geno will have a hard time keeping Brady on the bench. I doubt she’ll start, but she will play significant minutes from day 1.I agree, I thought Ice ran the floor well, and as you point out can also push it up the court a little. Maybe get some Hockey assists, the pass that leads to the pass etc. That is one of the things that doesn't show up in the stat sheets that Nika does by pushing the pace, Ayanna appears to have that ability as well, and maybe Aubrey too if healthy.
As for passing I see natural instinctive passing from her. As for Liv, I think she learned to be a good sound passer within the system, and partly because her shot was lacking. I think her natural instincts or abilities for passing were probably pretty good, but to a certain extent her passing was a byproduct of the system, and the fact she was not a shooting threat from distance.
Dorka's assists were much higher in Uconn's system that at Ohio State for example. Potentially offensively Ice could be as good a passer as Liv, a much better mid-range jump shooter, and a true post up big that can finish against contact. Liv is probably a much better shot blocker and maybe rebounder as well, but on the offensive side Ice looks like she is well rounded and more talented.
In a word: YES!!!It it worthy of note that Canada is shooting from three point land at a much higher percentage
than USA: T'yana Todd from Boston College, Emma Kobel from Duke, Lemyah Hylton from
Arizona, and Jasmine Bascoe from a Canadian school. Will our interior play sustain the USA??
The way I remember it playing out: Saylor committed first (if I remember correctly). then she was recruited over when Caroline Ducharme signed. She got injured and couldn't play up to her standard. Caroline Ducharme has some great games, Azzi got well and poor Saylor was sliding down the list and couldn't do anything about it. I had high hopes for her and hoped she would rise to the challenge. Evidently she decided to not try. When I saw her mom's post, I realized there was a lot more drama behind the scenes. My take on mom is that she wanted her daughter happy and encouraged her to take the easier route.I think Saylor's mom talked about the fit but I don't remember any complaints about the academics. Saylor was probably just unhappy with the playing time projections and left. So far things seem to be working out well for her in Arkansas according to her coach. She did practice with the team this past year and according to reports was "lighting it up" in practice. This could happen to any kid. We should all wish her the best.
Ice sounding like a seasoned UConn pro when interviewed

| USA v Mexico - FIBA U18 Women's Americas Championship 2022 - 17 June - FIBA.basketball |
| Time TBC |
| City, Arena: Buenos Aires (ARG), Estadio Obras Sanitarias |
| Game #16 |
The problem with any of the group level stats is that it is like any college one seed playing in a first round tournament game. If the one seed forgets to turn up and the 16 plays out of their minds it is a 30 point MOV, if the one seed shows up the MOV may be stratospheric.If this tournament comes down to USA and Canada, which it probably will (IMO). It is
noteworthy to review the "stat" line from the FIBA U 18 webpage: For Canada: T'yana Todd has
a 3 ' % of 50 %, Emma Koabel has a 3 ' % of 43.5%, and Jasmine Bascoe has a 3' % of 37.5 %
These three Canadian players are number 3, 4, and 6 of all U 18 players in the tournament.
Cotie McMahon of Team U18 USA is # 5 at 42. 9 % on 3 for 7 shooting from 3 point range.
Canada has a 35.9 % three point % on 33 for 92 shooting (over 30 3 pointers a game!)
The USA is at 24.6 % ( 14 for 57 over 3 games ). I trust that we have the height on the perimeter to hold off any
three point onslaught. GO USA Control those Boards!! Onward ICE Brady!!
I stand corrected to a degree on the academics but the "academic side wasn't super engaging" could also be more of a comment about the "fit", as the rest of the quote certainly was. I don't think it was an overt criticism of the academics as much as the fit. If it was really about the academics then why would she then transfer to a less challenging academic school?” Amy Poffenbarger said regarding Saylor’s decision. “The academic [side] wasn’t super-engaging, there wasn’t much to the campus life, and there wasn’t the ability to get out and meet a lot of people. Unfortunately that part of college life ... that part wasn’t happening for her.”
![]()
Middletown's Saylor Poffenbarger transferring from UConn
Saylor Poffenbarger graduated from Middletown High in the middle of last school year to get started on her college career at Connecticut in 2021. Now, not a year later, she’swww.fredericknewspost.com
