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Post by beavadelic on Feb 24, 2019 15:25:22 GMT -8
With loss of Marie, we knew the team would rely heavily on the perimeter if we were to be a serious contender.
When Kat went down early in league play, it greatly diminished our ability to spread people out.
With defenses gearing to stop Destiny and her own learning curve regarding the “controlled aggressiveness” of our system (she’s not at all selfish, but free-wheeling it at breakneck pace all game long just isn’t quite what we need). With Katie being a reluctant take-charge offensive player (been that waiy since she was schooling the boys in youth hoops at the age of 9), thus not as consistently dynamic as she could be. With Mik being relied on to do everything (she’s great at it, but anyone would run out of gas having to do it every night out). With Jazz Simmons still adjusting to our college game.
With all of these challenges, we have absolutely had to get a massive contribution from Aleah virtually every night out in order to compete at the top..and man, has that young woman delivered. In theory, every player should grow and be better as a sophomore, but the freshman Aleah, though solid, could not have done what she has done for us this year on both ends, and her consistency from beyond the arc has been a life saver. I’m pretty sure that we’d have at least 2 or 3 more conference losses right now had she not stepped up big time.
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Post by greshambeaver on Feb 24, 2019 15:55:02 GMT -8
With loss of Marie, we knew the team would rely heavily on the perimeter if we were to be a serious contender. When Kat went down early in league play, it greatly diminished our ability to spread people out. With defenses gearing to stop Destiny and her own learning curve regarding the “controlled aggressiveness” of our system (she’s not at all selfish, but free-wheeling it at breakneck pace all game long just isn’t quite what we need). With Katie being a reluctant take-charge offensive player (been that waiy since she was schooling the boys in youth hoops at the age of 9), thus not as consistently dynamic as she could be. With Mik being relied on to do everything (she’s great at it, but anyone would run out of gas having to do it every night out). With Jazz Simmons still adjusting to our college game. With all of these challenges, we have absolutely had to get a massive contribution from Aleah virtually every night out in order to compete at the top..and man, has that young woman delivered. In theory, every player should grow and be better as a sophomore, but the freshman Aleah, though solid, could not have done what she has done for us this year on both ends, and her consistency from beyond the arc has been a life saver. I’m pretty sure that we’d have at least 2 or 3 more conference losses right now had she not stepped up big time. |
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Post by greshambeaver on Feb 24, 2019 15:58:53 GMT -8
Aleah has been nails, especially the last couple of weeks, playing with the confidence of Senior. Can't wait to see her and Kat together next year, with another year of maturity for Destiny and the solid game of Mik and all the new height from our recruits... Wow this team should shine next season.
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Post by believeinthebeavs on Feb 24, 2019 15:59:05 GMT -8
As a freshman Aleah was instrumental in or win over wsu on the road and there were a couple other games she came up big in.
However, there is a reason she is in at the end of close games and Destiny is sitting. Aleah is solid everywhere. Her and Destiny together for the next two years is going to be a match up nightmare for any opponent.
At her current rate of improvement I'm not sure where her ceiling is. Every year since she was in high school she has came out significantly better than the year before.
Homegrown girl making good, a great story.
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Post by willtalk on Feb 24, 2019 16:57:04 GMT -8
Her weakness last season was her defense and she has really improved in that area. Defense is what kept her from getting more minutes last season. This year she plays excellent defense. Unlike at Oregon, defense if valued here. If you don't play good D you sit.
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bmoc
Freshman
Posts: 597
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Post by bmoc on Feb 24, 2019 18:24:22 GMT -8
Aleah has had two stellar back-to-back games. Her defense is what kept this game from going into overtime.
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Post by beaverwbb fan on Feb 24, 2019 18:26:41 GMT -8
She has hit clutch shots in each of our past three games IIRC. Teams are definitely going to need to start keying in particularly on her, and it is quite unusual for teams to have to game plan that much for a player off the bench. Her freshman to sophomore leap has been a big headline of this team. Keep it up Aleah! I love the contrast of her and Destiny’s games. It really keeps teams on their heels.
Her ability to ice games with clutch FTs has also been huge. She was a 52.9% FT shooter (9-17) with very limited attempts. She is a 93% FT shooter this season (40-43). Just another example of her improvement.
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Post by believeinthebeavs on Feb 24, 2019 18:41:09 GMT -8
Aleah has had two stellar back-to-back games. Her defense is what kept this game from going into overtime. To back, without her the ducks win. She had a bad game a couple weeks ago and was held scoreless. She still contributed as the stable point guard running the offense and defensively. She is our new "super-sub". Rueck had said he likes her to watch the first couple minutes of the game from the bench so she can figure out the best way to help the team. Her basketball IQ is as high as any player he's coached. She has also become our clutch player down the stretch. I was a little concerned about who would step up their game after KtMac left but I now see she is leaving the role in good hands. I want her at the free throw line in the last couple minutes of a close game. |
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Post by beavadelic on Feb 24, 2019 21:25:51 GMT -8
Aleah has been nails, especially the last couple of weeks, playing with the confidence of Senior. Can't wait to see her and Kat together next year, with another year of maturity for Destiny and the solid game of Mik and all the new height from our recruits... Wow this team should shine next season. On top of that, I hope that Andrea is cleared to play next year. I was talking with Katie at the men’s Civil War game last weekend, and she said that Aquino is a rudiculous talent. The way she moves and her body control for a 6’9” player is special. She’s got really good range, but apparently her moves in the paint and her instincts on the boards and as a rim protector are impressive. Katie was lamenting that she won’t get to play with her and Taylor and Kennedy. I am lamenting that too! |
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Post by pitbeavs on Feb 25, 2019 0:09:02 GMT -8
Aleah has been nails, especially the last couple of weeks, playing with the confidence of Senior. Can't wait to see her and Kat together next year, with another year of maturity for Destiny and the solid game of Mik and all the new height from our recruits... Wow this team should shine next season. 23-5 isn't shining? |
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