A Blue Star wrap-up from the Nike TOC:
It would be inappropriate to start anywhere else than Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) senior and tournament MVP
Katie Lou Samuelson. The 6-3 swing standout continued to remove any doubt as to just why she sits atop the 2015 rankings. From an opening game 41 point output, including 10 three pointers, to her championship game 36, Samuelson was operating on a different level. The additions to her game over the years have made her so much more than simply a shooter and helped her evolve into one of the most complete players in recent memory. She can create off the drive; post up if need be and navigate traffic when the defenses get creative. Most impressive however are her reads and understanding of screen defense and the options available off the cut. The future UConn Husky plays with the nation’s largest target on her back yet seems to find her own looks again and again. For you “old school” types that give extra credit for a player willing to hit the floor…this is your girl. Her willingness to take contact and resilience to get up time and again set her apart from the crowd. The defense is well beyond what you get from most high profile scorers and she does her part on the boards. Her accolades are well deserved.
Samuelson’s future teammate in Storrs, Blackman’s (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
Crystal Dangerfield, is absolutely a blast to watch…unless you happen to be sitting on the other bench. Even that’s not always the case as a few opposing players were cracking smiles during an early game when Dangerfield was embarrassing their teammates with some sharp, no look passing. The 5-5 junior point guard is a defender’s worst nightmare. The long range is there to force the tight close outs and the assertive penetration is virtually indefensible forcing a tough decision or at least an urgent prayer. Complicating matters more for the opposition is the evolution of her passing game and growth in the satisfaction she takes in creating easy looks for her teammates. Of course that satisfaction might come just as much from making defenders look silly as well…either way the result is the same. The maturation of her focus has been incredible over the past couple of years as well. Dangerfield is not one of those celebrating the previous play as the next one is unfolding. Over the years she has strung together back to back plays on both ends again and again. Defensively she’s agile and quick with the ability to anticipate both on and off the ball.
http://www.bluestarmedia.org/index.php/component/k2/item/1093-nike-toc-unwrapped
