NW4A First Half thoughts...

Now that we are done with the first half of the conference schedule, what things really stand out between each respective team? And which players, so far, are all-conference material?

For me, I have really noticed a distinct lack in post play. Reynolds is the only team out there that has a legit post player, and last night they used that advantage to the 10th degree.

I also think the process of selecting an all-conference team right now is going to be tough. I would not be all that suprised if the coaches all conference and media all conference teams differ significantly. Here would be my first and second teams, as of today:

NW4A All Conference First Team:

Anna Atkinson- McDowell
Tara Tate- Freedom
Heather Pritchard- South Caldwell
Emily Lovik- McDowell
Sidney Alexander- AC Reynolds

All Conference 2nd team:

Katie McGilliard- AC Reynolds
Jessica Woodie- South Caldwell
Katie Rybacki- AC Reynolds
Akendra Brown- McDowell
Ashlei Helton- East Burke

 

i won't attempt to speculate on all-conference players yet, but i will give my assessment of the teams...

ac reynolds - strong, well balanced, can play with anyone on any night... but these girls don't always do that... they occasionally play to their level of competition

mcdowell - what they lack inside is their only deficiency... the record proves that they get the job done... most of their wins are one-sided games never in question... they will end the season 1st or second in conference

freedom - sleeping giant... they really didn't lose a whole lot from last years team, and i felt should be better this year, except possibly fewer rebounds... they are like jekyl and hyde this season... i still believe they are going to wake up and make a statement... after last nights game with east burke, everyone better watch out... how many girls teams put 100 points on the board?? that's a statement, even though eb isn't all that good this year..

south caldwell - coach parham has these girls playing well... they aren't exceptionally talented, but they play hard and could upset one of the top 3 this year... when you play south, you better be ready to play...

east burke - dissappointing to see, but they are struggling this season... just not enough talent, which is surprising at such a big school... helton is good, but she can't win games on her own in this conference... she needs some support...

watauga - finally got some things going there way, and these girls are dangerous... they don't have the talent that the top 4 teams have, but they have a ton of heart, don't give up, and will play you to the buzzer... i would like to see them pull an upset this season, and think they could do it, but still believe they are stuck in 6th place this season... at best tied for 5th....

alexander central - playing a little better as well, and the coach is working with the hand she is dealt... just not going to be successful in this conference... maybe not in any 4a conference...

the next few weeks will be fun... 1st place is really up in the air... we know acr is going to have a battle in marion, but can they make it to there unscathed... freedom could really upset some stuff if they win out... mcdowell will continue to take care of business, and possibly be challenged by freedom and acr... south could challenge any of these top 3 for a victory as well...

every night matters, and every step counts... lots of ball left to be played...

 

I am not going to speculate on the all conference teams but you have one VERY VERY obvious omission! :jawomg: Sophomore guard Alex Thompson for A. C. Reynolds. She is the leading scorer (16ppg) on the first place team in the conference, the best shooter on our team, and the reason ACR is in first place. ACR wouldn't be anywhere without her. She is to ACR what Anna Atkinson is to McDowell. Not saying she is as good as Anna, but she is that important to us. Alex has scored double figures in all but two games, and one of those was a game she played very little due to it being a blowout, also she has scored 20 or more 6 times. She is our best 3 point shooter, and see's a box in one defense on a regular basis. Other teams know she is our heart and soul. I know this is just your opinion and you don't see these girls on a regular basis, but you have to include her. I personally think Sydney Alexander should be second team, Alex Thompson should be first team, and Katie McGalliard shouldn't be on the second team at all. Just my thoughts! McGalliard is our 5th best player, behind Thompson, Alexander, Rybacki, and Brianna Worley.

 

these players I have chosen are the players that I think make the most impact for their teams. The reason I have Sidney as a first team player is because she is the best post player in this conference, and IMHO the all conference team needs a good post player. The thing about Reynolds, IMO that makes them good is the fact that they don't have one huge star. But instead, they can throw 4 or 5 good players on you and be more dangerous than a team with one or two huge stars. Alex Thompson may average 16 per game for Reynolds, but I think Reynolds has good enough players that someone could step up their game if something happened to Thompson.

Of course, it's early to have serious talks on who are the best in conference, but I thought I would pass around a few names and see what people think.

 

I understand your point, but coming from someone who see's Reynolds EVERY game, I know that ACR wouldn't be where they are without Thompson. You can talk to anyone who comes to the ACR games on a regular basis they know without her ACR is just not the same. Early in the year, Alex CARRIED this team, Sydney and the others weren't playing very well at all, I just think not including her is doing a injustice to your all conference team. I know it's your opinion, and I respect that, but just out of curiosity how many games have you seen ACR play? I would bet if you talk to our coach he would tell you that Alex is our most important player. She beat Owen by herself hitting three 3's late in the fourth for the come from behind win. Yes, we have other players, but those other players are good because Alex draws the defense to her leaving them open. That has a lot to do with them being open.

 

Well, if you're going to make a case for Thompson being first team, then which of the five that I have mentioned would you drop down to 2nd team?

 

Well, now that you mentioned it, I guess I will list my teams for you. Keep in mind that generally when a team wins the conference, or in this case leads the conference, they get the most players chosen. This is generally true for all sports in the NW4A.

1st Team:
Anna Atkinson, McDowell
Tara Tate, Freedom
Alex Thompson, A. C. Reynolds
Emily Lovik, McDowell
Sydney Alexander, Reynolds

2nd Team:
Heather Pritchard, South Caldwell
Katie Rybacki, A. C. Reynolds
Ashley Helton, East Burke
Akendra Brown, McDowell
Brianna Worley, A. C. Reynolds

Player of the Year: Anna Atkinson, McDowell (I don't think the ACR game was a true representation of her skills, she has had a great year, and will rebound from that poor performance when ACR comes to McDowell)

Player of the Year (runner up): Alex Thompson, A. C. Reynolds (She is responsible for at least 6 Reynolds wins, especially early in the year when ACR was finding their way, she carried them. She is their leading scorer, best ball handler, best free throw shooter, and easily best three point shooter. Not quite up to Anna Atkinson yet, but did out play her at ACR on Tuesday night)

Coach of the Year: Art Snead, A. C. Reynolds (NO one picked ACR to be 6-0 in the conference right now, especially after playing 4 of the 6 on the road)

Now in my opinion that is the 10 best players in the conference! South Caldwell is 4th in the conference they will not get two players on the team. The top teams always get the most players on the teams and they should, the winners should get the spoils! Their is a lot of ball left though so all this could change!

 

I definitely respect your picks for all conference at this point of the season. I had Pritchard on all conference first team because I was really impressed in how she played against McDowell a couple weeks ago in Marion, maybe I'm putting too much stock in that one game.

I would definitely agree with Atkinson's performance being very bad for her standards. I think the McDowell News had her with 4 points on 2 of 14 shooting. Scary thing is, she still had 10 assists and 6 steals.

 

I'm not gonna even attempt to put a frist and second team together but, i will say a few that stand out in my mind....I've not seen enough of other games to know any more really stand out players. But bigdan your right, I mean just look at all the lists that have been posted, only one real post player, I mean its kind of sad and amazing all at the same time. Cause look at the great records this conference have posted so far and all with out really a natural post player.


Thompson-Reynoolds
Alexander-Reynolds
Rybakci-Reynolds
Atkinson-McDowell
Lovik-McDowell
Tate-Freedom
Pritchard-South Caldwell
Helton-East Burke


I know I'm short a few, someone post and tell me what you think about those and two others that would go.

 

I would say Akendra Brown, McDowell and Brianna Worley from A. C. Reynolds. If not those two I don't know who. Maybe the other guard from South Caldwell, or the other guard from Freedom. Other than those I would have to say Brown and Worley easily.