Fast Takes with FastBreak: USNT Edition
Author: Anonymous
With World Cup 2023 rapidly approaching, everyone in America is looking forward to cheering on the defending champions. But what new faces will be representing the U.S. on the international stage this year? The next round of USNT roster selections will likely be made public this spring, so let’s dive in and look at some players that may be on the short list.
Celine Richards - BeaterCeline Richard is a hidden gem, currently playing for Terminus Atlanta and the Charlotte Aviators. While not the biggest name, she has been a steadfast presence on these teams, always available for long minutes while consistently playing at a high level. Richards is everywhere on the pitch, finding openings to make key tap beats to open lanes, working with her partner to get control or cleaning up whatever scenario is thrown her way. An experienced player, she is an extremely quick thinker on the pitch and able to make crucial decisions very quickly. Her throwing talent is admirable; she can surprise opponents from distance, and be extremely forceful in scenarios that require trade beats. Richards’ most impactful skill is her speed, she molds her game around it and uses it as a weapon. She is able to race after loose dodgeballs halfway across the pitch to secure control without fear. After the twenty minute mark is where Richards truly shines; throughout her career with the Charlotte Aviators and Terminus Atlanta she has created endless opportunities for her seeker to catch. She is able to balance playing for her seeker, defending against opponent beaters, and effecting the quadball game by forcing turnovers or opening lanes.Richards mainly plays as a free beater, allowing her partners to engage, while she focuses more on the quadball or securing control after the aforementioned engagement. Richards plays this role extremely well, always walking a fine line between the two. Able to dip into one world without leaving the other behind. Always vigilant on defense, Richards is able to make quick, but effective beats to leave the offense in shambles. She is also no slouch when it comes to engage skills.Her ability to dodge, block, or catch rivals the best in the sport and makers her a dangerous beater to go up against. I believe Richards is ready to show the world what she has to offer.Honorable Mentions:Gracie Johnson (TCQC/Monarchs)Tessa Mullins (Pandas/Titans)Joe Goulet - SeekerJoe Goulet is perfecting his craft as a seeker. While playing for Creighton and Kansas City Stampede, he has been hard at work over the past two years while being mentored by USNT seeker, Ryan Davis.As a seeker, Goulet brings a lot to the table. He has the necessary speed to capitalize on split-second opportunities. He can use his size to help prevent the other teams seeker from getting a good opportunity with the flag runner. Goulet is also highly aware of the beater play around him, understanding when to sacrifice himself for the good of the team and when to hold back waiting for a better window. Goulet has displayed a plethora of avenues to catch the flag runner. Being able to reach into a toolbox of moves and abilities has given Goulet an impressive resume. While not as large as some notable seekers, like Tyler Trudeau and Josh Andrews, Goulet is large enough to use a similar style to catch. His impressive wingspan also allows for dives and extremely effective swim moves against flag runners looking to out-leverage their opponents. As with all good seekers, Goulet has demonstrated that he can be ambidextrous, catching with both hands, allowing for even more levels to be added to their game. Joe Goulet can bring home the big catches when it matters most.Honorable Mentions:Leo Fried (Harvard/Titans)Jay Stewart(UTSA/Soldados)Athena Mayor - ChaserAthena Mayor is a force to be reckoned with on the pitch. Over the past year, Mayor has quietly been the best chaser not on the USNT in the sport. She has put in time and effort to ascend to where she is now, battling on Boston Forge and Boston Black Pandas to compete in the highest level of quadball.While on offense she is a triple threat. While ball handling up top, she can make any pass on the pitch. If teams don’t respect her driving ability, she punishes them by getting downhill fast, and then passing, shooting, or dunking over them. While her ability to ball handle and drive makes her a significant threat, she is equally skilled as an offball chaser. She sees the whole field keenly without losing her positioning. Mayor is always open as a safe pass, she is able to ebb and flow around the defense with decisive cuts to break zones and match defenses alike. She is also able to shoot with the best of them, either on the move or stationary; she has an accurate push and overhand shot. However, all of these skills don’t compare to Mayor’s greatest asset. She is the greatest pick setter in all of quadball, her physicality disrupts even the best defenders in the game allowing for her teammates to hit an open lane.Historically Mayor has been an outstanding off hoops defender, able to stop big drivers in lanes and cut down on cutters nearby. This is in part due to her ability to read teams’ offenses, anticipating where they want to go. Mayor is communicative on the field calling out screens and helping the defense rotate. Her footwork on defense is excellent; she is able to cover in space keeping up with most cutters. With her ability to stop drives, play in space, and anticipate she is the whole package. Mayor should get the chance to show what she is able to do on the international stage soon.Honorable Mentions:Kayse Bevers(Texas Cavalry/Outlaws)Emma Vasquez(Boom Train/Prowl)Jon Jackson - Keeper
Jon Jackson has been regarded as a top tier player in the Northeast for many seasons. This past year on the New York Titans and Warriors, Jackson has been firing on all cylinders, becoming one of the most dominant quadball players on the field.
Jackson has a tall and powerful build and knows exactly how to use it. He uses his speed and size to expertly slice and dice opponents defenses. In half court situations, Jackson orchestrates his offense into gaining positional advantages and capitalizes on them by driving into an open lane, making the defense collapse. Either finishing the play himself or passing to an open cutter, his favorite target being his longtime teammate and USNT veteran, Lindsay Marella. However, in open space, Jackson is on a whole other level. Using a combination of speed and power he is able to outmaneuver any defender. Jackson’s most consistent move is to use a power drive gaining an opportunistic angle advantage to blow past defenders. The last time the sport saw this combination of finesse, strength and smarts when hitting the open field was former USNT player, Jayke Archibald.
Jackson is one of the best ball handlers and distributors in the country. While moving the ball around a half-court, Jackson always threatens to drive or push the pace, allowing his teammates more room to maneuver. While it is expected that every player can make the passes around the pitch Jackson brings a next level ability. His passes have the three most important things, accuracy, speed, and timing. He can zip the ball around making defenses rotate, fire an absolute seed to a cutter and has the finesse to float the ball for aerial plays near the hoops. Jackson’s biggest strength in the passing game is his ability to dish out of drives. His awareness of the defense, especially beaters, makes him the biggest drive and dish threat in the modern game. Jackson demands the defenses full attention, and can make that final pass as he is about to be beaten or even as he is about to be taken to the ground.
Jackson’s position on defense is guarding the hoops, and he takes it very seriously. Jackson is in my opinion the greatest shot blocker still playing the game, his wingspan and anticipation is unparalleled. A major aspect of his role on defense is the ability to step out and defend against drives, this tests footwork, tackling, and coordination with your own team. Jackson thrives in this situation as well. In this prescribed role of shot blocker, and hoop defender Jackson is the best in the United States. He is also a fantastic field general, able to marshal his teammates to the correct position calling for others to step or recognizing when he must step as well.
Honorable Mentions:
Bryan Mulcahy (Bosny/Admirals)
TJ Generette (DCQC/Admirals)
