Class I Players More than Hold Their OwnLast but not least, we look back at the NH Girls Junior All-Star game, which was played on March 21 at the Rockingham Athletic Club. In New Hampshire, most folks would agree that Class L is a better league than Class I when it comes to girls basketball. However, you could make the argument that the top 3 players in this game were all Class I players (Walczak, Frase and Wagner). With that, here are our player evaluations:
(All players Class of 2011 unless otherwise stated)
Big Games for...
Danielle Walczak 6'1" Oyster River - There was plenty of talent in this game, but if you had to choose one player who looked the best out there it would be Walczak. Fresh off winning the Class I Player of the Year Award earlier in the day, the 6'1" junior forward showed an excellent all around game in the paint. She has a big, strong body which enabled her to score and rebound against anybody down low, and she also ran the floor and defended well.
Caitlin Ackerman 6'0" Nashua South - Ackerman was another low post player who was impressive. The 6'0" junior was a force on the boards as well as scoring the basketball either by posting up or on offensive rebounds. She also has a strong body which helps in the paint, but at the same time has the quickness to beat opposing forwards down the floor.
Melissa Frase 5'8" Kennett - Frase can play the 1 or the 2, and she did just about everything you could want a guard to do out there. She hit shots, she pushed the ball in transition to create layups for her team, made some very nice passes and defended exceptionally well. Frase also has very good strength for a 5'8" player.
Jasmine Theroux 5'9" Trinity - Theroux was quiet in the first half, but she really started to assert herself in the second. Theroux made some nice, strong drives to the basket, including a coast-to-coast finish. She is a prototypical point guard, looking to set up her teammates first but also can score if need be.
Allie Wagner 5'8" Kennett - After the way she played in the Class I tournament, everyone in NH should know who Wagner is by now. The 5'8" junior can also play either guard spot, and is a lethal scorer. She didn't score a ton of points this game, but did all of the little things well, such as hustling after loose balls and making smart passes.
Savannah Butterfield 5'10" Londonderry - Butterfield is a very tough, hard nosed player who showed no mercy out there. She defended well, and scored off the dribble as well as via the mid-range jump shot. Butterfield showed that she can play inside or outside.
Deanna Purcell 5'9" Alvirne - The 5'9" wing player is an extremely smart player who very rarely takes a play off. Purcell was arguably the best shooter on the floor, and she also got after it on the defensive end. She was able to shoot, dribble and pass the basketball as well as anyone in this game.
Other Stock Risers...
Susie French 5'10" Portsmouth - French showed that she was a versatile player, as she was comfortable battling down low as well as playing out on the perimeter. She displayed the ability to shoot the basketball from the outside as well as playing tough defense.
Samantha Brenner 6'2" New Hampton School (2012) - Brenner, playing for Maddy Blais who was out sick, showed good size and versatility. She's 6'2" with long arms, which really helps on defense and when rebounding the basketball. At the same time, she has good quickness for a player her height.
Kayla Janowski 5'10" Exeter - Janowski was very active and making plays all over the floor when she was in the game. She is a forward who is tough, scrappy and played good team basketball.
Jenn Bujnowski 6'1" Salem - Tough inside player who was the game's best rebounder outside of Walczak. Bujnowski has good size, and uses it to her advantage by being physical and getting good position around the basket.
Rachael Carter 5'9" Merrimack - Carter is a wing player who was very active. She always seemed to have the basketball in her hands or was making a play for her team. Carter made some strong drives to the basket.
Ali Beauregard 5'7" Portsmouth - Beauregard showed some excellent ball handling abilities, and has the size and skill set to play either guard position. She has good strength for a 5'7" player, which allows her to play tough defense as well as finish in the paint against taller players.
Others Who Played Well...
Katie Cullerot 5'8" John Stark - Solid guard who showed good decision making abilities in open court.
Ashley Gendron 5'8" Manchester Memorial - Gendron hustled on every play, and was one of the better shooters in this game.
Olivia Lacroix 5'8" Manchester Central - Solid two guard who really competed hard out there.
Katie Matatall 5'9" Timberlane - Matatall showed a good all around game, good quickness and solid ball handling.
Christan Wojtas 5'10" Souhegan - Wojtas showed off an excellent shooting stroke, as well as the ability to put the ball on the floor.
Lauren Cordts 5'11" Souhegan - Cordts is a hardworking forward who battled all game long against some of the top bigs in the state.
Danielle Kimball 5'9" Pinkerton - Kimball competed hard every minute she was out there, showing some good quickness at the guard position.
