Carmel's victory in a closely contested game against Maine South was largely fueled by the impressive performance of freshman forward Liv Johnson, who showcased her "next level" skills on the court. The 20-point scorer and nine-rebound artist demonstrated exceptional growth throughout the match, adapting to the defense and making crucial decisions that ultimately sealed Carmel's 52-40 win.
In a pivotal moment with the game tied and five points separating them from their opponents, Johnson opted to slow down instead of forcing the issue. This intelligent play allowed her to survey the defense and identify an open midrange jumper, which all but guaranteed the victory for Carmel. "Liv is next level," praised coach Ben Berg, highlighting her exceptional abilities.
Johnson's impressive performance was not limited to scoring; she also displayed impressive athleticism on drives past defenders and rebounding prowess. However, when faced with two fouls, Johnson demonstrated poise under pressure by slowing down and processing how she was being guarded before making a smart decision. Her teammates praised her for this adaptability, saying that when they "slowed down and had our heads up, we made good decisions."
Despite playing without their star player due to foul trouble, Carmel's other players stepped up to keep the game competitive. Senior Maron Bowes was instrumental on the glass with six rebounds, while junior guard Maliyah Mays chipped in 15 points. The team's unity and ability to stay focused even when facing a tricky opponent like Maine South were key factors in their win.
The Corsairs' defense proved particularly stingy in the second half, limiting Maine South to just two three-pointers after allowing five in the first quarter. Carmel's coach credited this success to the team's disciplined approach, saying they "slow[ed] down and see what's open." Johnson was instrumental in this strategy, using her free-throw line presence and rim-scoring prowess to close out the game.
Throughout the match, Johnson demonstrated exceptional poise under pressure, never wilting despite first-half foul trouble. Her ability to adjust on the fly and make smart decisions earned her praise from teammates like senior guard Josie Hartman, who called her a "force to be reckoned with" on the court. With Johnson's impressive performance, Carmel solidified its position as a top contender in the league.
In a pivotal moment with the game tied and five points separating them from their opponents, Johnson opted to slow down instead of forcing the issue. This intelligent play allowed her to survey the defense and identify an open midrange jumper, which all but guaranteed the victory for Carmel. "Liv is next level," praised coach Ben Berg, highlighting her exceptional abilities.
Johnson's impressive performance was not limited to scoring; she also displayed impressive athleticism on drives past defenders and rebounding prowess. However, when faced with two fouls, Johnson demonstrated poise under pressure by slowing down and processing how she was being guarded before making a smart decision. Her teammates praised her for this adaptability, saying that when they "slowed down and had our heads up, we made good decisions."
Despite playing without their star player due to foul trouble, Carmel's other players stepped up to keep the game competitive. Senior Maron Bowes was instrumental on the glass with six rebounds, while junior guard Maliyah Mays chipped in 15 points. The team's unity and ability to stay focused even when facing a tricky opponent like Maine South were key factors in their win.
The Corsairs' defense proved particularly stingy in the second half, limiting Maine South to just two three-pointers after allowing five in the first quarter. Carmel's coach credited this success to the team's disciplined approach, saying they "slow[ed] down and see what's open." Johnson was instrumental in this strategy, using her free-throw line presence and rim-scoring prowess to close out the game.
Throughout the match, Johnson demonstrated exceptional poise under pressure, never wilting despite first-half foul trouble. Her ability to adjust on the fly and make smart decisions earned her praise from teammates like senior guard Josie Hartman, who called her a "force to be reckoned with" on the court. With Johnson's impressive performance, Carmel solidified its position as a top contender in the league.
she literally knows how to win games single handedly. i love how coach Berg praises her for slowing down when it mattered most, that's clutch play right there! and it's not just about scoring, Liv's defense is on point too. she's got that athleticism thing going on that's just insane 
what's even more inspiring is that she didn't let the pressure get to her, she stayed chill even when they had two fouls. and have you seen Carmel's team dynamic? they're like a well-oiled machine 
united they stand, together they conquer...
! You know what I mean? She showed us that it's okay to take a step back and assess the situation when things get crazy on the court 
. It's easy to just go all out and try to force something, but sometimes slowing down and being smart can lead to even bigger rewards 
. And you know what really impressed me? She didn't let her mistakes get to her 
. She kept it cool under pressure and made adjustments on the fly. That's some next-level leadership right there 
! We could all learn a thing or two from Liv about staying focused, being patient, and trusting our instincts 
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. And what about Maine South's team morale after getting destroyed like that? Poor guys must be devastated 
. Also, gotta wonder how long it'll take for someone to expose these girls' weaknesses...
! She slowed down when needed and made smart decisions that sealed the win 
. Coach Ben Berg must've been living his best life knowing he had her on his team 
. Carmel's other players stepped up big time, but Liv's "next level" skills are what won it for them 
.
! I mean, 20 points and 9 rebounds? That's like me trying to do that in a video game... ain't gonna happen 
I'm loving how her teammates are hyping her up too... Maliyah Mays and Josie Hartman are totally gushing over Liv, and we're all getting the FOMO 
i mean, i've seen her dominate games before, but this one takes the cake. she's got that next level skillset for sure 
what really impressed me was how she stayed calm under pressure. i'm so stoked to see Carmel's squad come out on top 
she slows down, surveys the defense, and then just sinks a midrange jumper like it's nothing 
i was on the edge of my seat when she took those drives past defenders, it was like watching a superhero in action 
it shows that shes not just about scoring points, but also about being a leader on the court 
it was like they had a plan and stuck to it, and that's what made all the difference 
on that court! I mean, she was unstoppable and still managed to keep her cool under pressure. Her teammates are so lucky to have her leading them by example 
. It's gonna be tough for other teams to take them down now 
. Anyway, Liv Johnson is definitely a player to watch out for in this league 
.
Like what happened after the game or some juicy drama between players? This feels like another boring sports forum thread 
At least that would be relatable to our lives.
Liv Johnson is like that one friend who always knows when to take a step back and reassess - it's such an underrated quality, but trust me, it can be game-changing 
. And can we talk about the Corsairs' defense? it was on point! they really slow down and see what's open, and Liv is like the mastermind behind that strategy 
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. And you know what's even more impressive? She didn't let her emotions get the best of her when things got tough. Like, she could've easily gotten frustrated with all those fouls but she kept her cool and made smart decisions 
. I'm all for strategic plays, but when you're up by 12 points with only a few minutes to go, can't you just take a few more shots and try to seal it? I mean, Liv's midrange jumper is cute and all, but it's not like she's the only one who can make a decent shot 
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, like when they were tied and she just took a deep breath before hitting that open midrange jumper 
. And don't even get me started on her athleticism 
! She's got skills for days 
, especially in the second half when they were able to shut down Maine South's offense