Tait’s Take: LHS girls vs. SM North
One of the more popular features of our Kansas University sports site, KUSports.com, is “The Keegan Ratings,” in which Journal-World Sports Editor Tom Keegan ranks the Jayhawks’ performances in both football and basketball after every game he attends. The individual rankings provide a great starting point for discussion and debate about the game that was in KU Sports.
With that in mind, the Journal-World would like to introduce “Tait’s Take,” a similar ranking system for the local high school games that High School Sports Editor Matt Tait attends each week. Because we can’t be in two places at once — or even three for that matter — this will not be a comprehensive look at athletes at both Lawrence High and Free State over the course of any given season. However, it will provide you with a deeper look at the most recent game and will give Tait an opportunity to include those tidbits about certain players that may not have made it into his story about the game.
This feature will fly fast and furious throughout the football, basketball and baseball seasons. So stop by often. If you can’t find a game you’re interested in, click on The Dividing Line archives and search for it. Chances are it will be there.
Here’s another edition of Tait’s Take, which looks back at the top players from Tuesday’s 47-36 victory by the Lawrence High girls basketball team.
1. Jasmyn Turner, sr. Eight-point run to open the third quarter may have been the difference in the game. Turner was aggressive on offense and shook off two early fouls to play a key role in the Lions’ victory.
2. Haley Parker, sr. Not her night shooting the ball (from the field or the free throw line) but Parker made up for it in other ways. Finished with five assists and three steals, played hard-nosed defense and still managed to score eight points.
3. Cassie Potter, sr. Quiet for most of the night, Potter found her rhythm late in the third quarter with back-to-back jumpers, one being a three-pointer. She only finished with five points but her willingness to step up and shoot the shots that needed to be shot along with her advanced eye in running the offense helped the Lions’ offense click.
4. Tamiya Green, jr. Played with extreme energy and even finished a couple of shots around the bucket. Green won’t ever be mistaken for a pure offensive player, but her hustle and energy alone often put her in positions that benefit the Lions.
5. Jordyn Tolefree, sr. Tolefree continues to give the Lions something they’re lacking and that’s a player with pure scoring ability. When left open, she’s deadly with her jump shot. Now she just needs to fine-tune the mid-range game.
6. Emily Peterson, jr. Took just one shot and grabbed just two rebounds. But she looked like she went 12 rounds in a boxing match. That’s because LHS coach Nick Wood asked Peterson to harass SM North’s Brianna Kulas with reckless abandon. She did that during every second she was on the floor and proved that she’s the ultimate team player. The result? Kulas did finish with 23 points but got them off of 4-for-16 shooting.
7. April Miller, sr. Rotated in on and off throughout the game, which appeared to keep her relaxed. Miller had been starting but the supporting role seems to suit her better. She can go all-out when she’s in there and, on this night, her comfort level led to a 3-for-3 showing from the floor and six points.
8. Abbie Ramos, sr. Missed the only shot she took and hit one of two free throws but did a fair job during her turns with Kulas and contributed greatly to the Lions’ ball movement on offense. The ball never stuck in Ramos’ hands for longer than it took to deliver her next pass and she never was seen standing around.
9. Rachel Kelly, jr. Her shots didn’t fall but the fact that she continues to step up and take them without hesitation makes Kelly an asset to this team.
10. Shelby Miller, sr. Rotated in and did an admirable job of occupying space in the middle and making life tough on Kulas.
Lawrence High record: 2-5
Next up: 5:30 p.m. Friday vs. Olathe South