Kelsey PlumCHANDLER, Ariz. There is something to be said for the big time scorers in girls high school basketball. And those that can do it on the Hamilton court, home of the Nike Tournament of Champions top brackets, find themselves in rare company because they are doing it against the best high school competition around.
'13 ELITE 100 point guard Kelsey Plum.
*Photo by Chris Hansen.
La Jolla Country Day (Calif.) senior guard Kelsey Plum put herself up with the biggest numbers scored over the years when she scored 40 point today against Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.). The University of Washington signee has been on a tear as of late, setting a career high with 51 points in Country Days last game before coming to the TOC, giving her 108 points total in her last three games.
What was impressive about Plums performance was it that Christ the King coach Bob Mackey knew what he was up against and put his taller, longer, more athletic star, junior Sierra Calhoun, on Plum for much of the game and Plum still found ways to score and for three quarters, keep her team in control. Plums squad lost the momentum with some turnovers up high that led to some runouts and ultimately cost them the game. But scoring 40 at the TOC in any circumstance warrants Player of the Day consideration.
What helped earn Plum the honors on this day in spite of the loss was that she also contributed five steals, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. And while we see her as a point guard at the next level, she continues playing off the ball much of the game because of the personnel on her team. And the one stat the kid care most about, the all important W, she still has one more chance to get on Saturday. Follow @ChrisHansenPSB
Hansen is managing editor of ProspectsNation.com and a McDonalds All-American selection committee member. He was the national director of scouting for ESPN HoopGurlz from 2005 until 2012. He can be reached at chris@prospectsnation.com.
