Madison Hayes

[Santiago]

I saw where Coach Schaefer spoke at the post game press conference yesterday about needing players that will dig in their heels, and fight in games. I see digging in heels, and fighting written all over this kid Madison Hayes. Also, appears to play with a very high level of emotion, intense athlete.

Coach Schaefer...not current sold on Matharu's overall defense. My opinion, this helps make Hayes the favorite for becoming the starter at the 2 spot for next season. Mingo-Young, usually solid defensively, could possibly move over from the point....in the mix at the 2 as well. Also, Wiggins and Espinoza....either or both could possibly move from the wing....in the mix at the 2. Hemingway has shown flashes of doing the things asked of the coaching staff in games....her size, strength, and other physical abilitities can help bring her up in the rotation.


Wouldn't"t be surprised to see Hayes come out of this group as the starter for next season.

agree - she plays with intensity and does not like losing.

[deltadawg63]

Carter to PF and Cooks to C. Carter much more comfortable playing face up and defending with movement and not with brute strength. Someone will lose minutes with Hayes and Cooks joining roster next year. A good problem to have. Myah and Jordan are our best 2 guards at present but at times, our weakness there can be both of those being so small in height and size. They were pushed around offensively and defensively yesterday. Bama's guard had much more muscle and drove the lane well against us. Ours have to compensate by quickness and tenacity with a lot of steals. Yesterday, it did not happen in second half.

[jdelta02]

Sidney Cooks at center, watched her play in the Jordan Brand Classic, she looked like the best post player on the court in that game. Yemiyah Morris has the potential to make noise as well if she puts in enough quality work during the off-season..including, making the right adjustments to her game, getting stronger.

(Next season early projection)
- Myah Taylor/J. Mingo-Young
- Madison Hayes/Aliyah Matharu
- Rickea Jackson
- Jessika Carter
- Sidney Cooks/Yemiyah Morris
Keep an eye on J. Hemingway, possibly make a big push. Also, Wiggins capable of being a factor at the 2 spot if she adjusted her game (including skillset) for that position. Same for A. Espinoza-Hunter.

(Update)
Madison Hayes had 31 points, 10 rebounds last night in her team's playoff loss to Tennessee powerhouse Bradley Central. She sat the first half with 3 early fouls....scored 28 points in the second half.

Twitter......
Tim Lownsdale
@tlownsdale
? 11h
East Hamilton?s Madison Hayes scored 31 points against Bradley Central.. w/ those 31 points Madison eclipsed the 3,000 point scoring mark!

Madison is now the third all-time leading scorer in 5v5 era and also has over 1500 rebounds, 500 assists, and 500 steals!

@girl4allsports

[smootness]

Where does she project? What I've seen she looks like a combo guard but has a consistent game across the board.

Taylor
Hayes
Wiggins
Jackson
Carter

Matharu
Mingo young
Cooks
Chloe
Hemmingway
Aeh
Morris
Taylor

We may have two top ten WBB teams in Starkville next year. Relative to competition within that specific sport, the women's team next year will be the most talented in MSU history. You have to think one or two leave for minutes.

And we lose no one to graduation if my first five I posted start. They are set up for some run.

Agreed, and the year after next, assuming no core losses, will undoubtedly be the best team we've ever had in any sport, IMO. You would be looking at something like:

Taylor - Sr / Mingo-Young - Jr
Hayes - So / Matharu - Jr
Jackson - Jr / Wiggins - Sr
Carter - Sr / Gaston - So
Cooks - Sr / Taylor - Sr

[deltadawg63]

Agreed, and the year after next, assuming no core losses, will undoubtedly be the best team we've ever had in any sport, IMO. You would be looking at something like:

Taylor - Sr / Mingo-Young - Jr
Hayes - So / Matharu - Jr
Jackson - Jr / Wiggins - Sr
Carter - Sr / Gaston - So
Cooks - Sr / Taylor - Sr

Sub Taylor for Morris as Morris is a Junior this year and will play the post exclusively. Hayes brings size and outside shooting ability to 2 guard.

[Dawg2003]

Cooks is a PF.

[jdelta02]

Cooks is a PF.

She can play both. I saw her playing the 5 in the 2017 Jordan Brand Classic....going up against some of best young post talent in the United States. She was one of the starting 5, and was posting up really well, scoring down low with some impressive moves. Defended well. My opinion, Sidney Cooks looked to be the most effective post player in that game. Also, she played on the perimeter some in the game as well. Kiana Williams (Stanford), Satou Sabally (Oregon), Rennia Davis (Tennessee), Evina Westbrook (Tennessee, UConn), Chennedy Carter (Texas A&M) , Alexis Morris (Baylor, Rutgers) were all on the West Team along with Cooks. They blew out the other team...and Cooks was one of the games top scorers, and leading candidates for MVP. They gave the West MVP to Kiana Williams (Stanford).

Also, saw where Cooks is a noted shot blocker as well.

(Note)
Coach Schaefer Indicated a while back that he was planning to move Jessika Carter to the 4 spot next season.