Shaelyn Steele Photo
Russell coach Mandy Layne knows her team faces a difficult task against McCracken County Wednesday afternoon at the girls state tournament in Rupp Arena.
However, she also knows it will be a chance for Russell senior Shaelyn Steele, a Penn State signee, to showcase her diversified talents.
She averages 21.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game — both team highs. She is a 44 percent shooter overall, 34 percent shooter from 3 and 71 percent shooter at the foul line.
Steele, Russell’s all-time leading scorer, also has 1,050 career rebounds along with 737 assists and 520 steals. She’s been part of six straight winning season and six district championship team. This is her third time to be on a regional title winner.
“She has elite speed and athleticism,” Layne said. “She does a really good job stopping on a dime and making shots. She is also an elite defender. She’s a really good on-ball defender and one of the best guard rebounders at 5-6 that you will ever find.”
Russell (28-6) has won 13 straight games. Senior Bella Quinn, who also has over 1,000 career points, averages 10.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. Quinn has 73 3-pointers this season while Steele has 57.
Layne knows how good McCracken (29-5) is. McCracken has won seven straight since losing to 4th Region champion Bowling Green
“McCracken really impressed me. They will press. They have a unique 2-3 zone kind of like we do,” Layne said. “Claire Johnson is the real deal. She can shoot and drive and hit the 3. (Mike) Buchanan is also a great athlete and great player.
“Their kids understand their roles and they have kids who do really nice things for them.”
Johnson is McCracken’s career steals and assists leader. The Samford signee also is a 2,000-point scorer. She averages 22.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. She’s been to the for line 169 times — next closest on the team is Buchanan with 68 — and is an 83.4 percent shooter at the line. She also has a team-high 57 3-pointer.
Buchanan adds 14.9 points and a team-best 6.5 rebounds. She has made 52 3-pointers.
