IAAM B Conference Playoff Preview

We have reached the semi finals of the IAAM playoffs and this is the most intriguing B conference final four in recent memory for me. I was a B conference coach for two years so I am familiar with some of the coaching styles as well as the talented players in the field. We have two strong matchups with Notre Dame Prep taking on Glenelg Country School and Severn squaring off with Indian Creek.

Severn and Indian Creek battled just last week for the number one seed and the game went down to the wire with Indian Creek holding the Admirals off for a 48-47 win. Severn is led by point guard Amyah Heyliger who missed that matchup with a foot injury and could be out for this rematch. She is both the offensive and defensive leader for her team so that would be a big loss. Senior guard Layla Epps and sophomore guard Kendall Austin are both capable players and will be forced to pick up the slack if necessary. Indian Creek secured the top seed after an impressive 15-8 regular season and a 9-1 conference record. Sophomore guard Masara Magassouba has been one of the top scorers in league this season and she leads the way. Freshman guard Peyton Foster has been a steady and reliable influence on the team, playing with poise and providing quiet leadership. Sophomore power forward Ofundem Mbelem provides and inside presence on both ends of the floor, and sophomore Rebekah Young has added to that frontline depth recently as well. This game should go down to the wire once again.

Glenelg Country School won last year’s IAAM C conference championship and promptly moved up to the B conference. They will face a hungry Notre Dame Prep team that allowed last season’s B conference championship to slip away in the last moments of the game. They have been rock solid all season and they come in with a balanced attack. The the two players I’ll be watching are senior wing Ella Mercandante , who can fill it up from all over the court, and sophomore guard Stacey Giannopoulis. I think Stacey will be on a mission to redeem herself after a couple of crucial missed free throws in last year’s title game. She’s a gamer and brings a ton of versatility to the court. Glenelg Country had a strong regular season with a 7-2 conference record and they played some tough out of conference games. They have a trio of guards that can light it up from all over the floor in point guard Alexis White , combo guard Kayden McDaniel and freshman guard Jordyn McDaniel . This should be a tremendous battle with both teams having their moments.