Carmel's Freshman Forward Liv Johnson Proves 'Next Level' in Thrilling Win Over Maine South
In a tightly contested matchup, freshman forward Liv Johnson showcased her exceptional skills, leading Carmel to a 52-40 victory over Maine South at the Dave Yates Chicagoland Showcase. Johnson's impressive performance has left many believing she is a high-major Division I prospect.
Johnson demonstrated an ability to slow down and adjust mid-game, outsmarting her defenders as the score hung in the balance with just minutes remaining. Her decision-making proved pivotal, making a crucial midrange jumper that effectively sealed Carmel's win.
The 20-point and nine-rebound effort from Johnson marked a stark contrast to her earlier game, where she had relied on athleticism to drive past defenders and finish at the rim. Despite being saddled with two fouls in the second quarter, which forced her to rely on her teammates, Johnson continued to produce, demonstrating remarkable poise under pressure.
Her growth was evident as she didn't let her first-half foul trouble deter her from making plays down the stretch. Instead, she made intelligent decisions, such as taking advantage of the zone defense and scoring at the rim.
Johnson's teammates were instrumental in supporting her efforts, with senior Maron Bowes and junior guard Maliyah Mays providing significant contributions off the bench. The team's defense, led by Johnson and Hartman, was particularly impressive in the second half, limiting Maine South to just six points in the fourth quarter.
Carmel coach Ben Berg described Johnson as 'next level,' highlighting her exceptional growth and maturity on the court. Her ability to remain composed under pressure, make smart decisions, and execute effectively has made a significant impact on Carmel's success this season.
In a tightly contested matchup, freshman forward Liv Johnson showcased her exceptional skills, leading Carmel to a 52-40 victory over Maine South at the Dave Yates Chicagoland Showcase. Johnson's impressive performance has left many believing she is a high-major Division I prospect.
Johnson demonstrated an ability to slow down and adjust mid-game, outsmarting her defenders as the score hung in the balance with just minutes remaining. Her decision-making proved pivotal, making a crucial midrange jumper that effectively sealed Carmel's win.
The 20-point and nine-rebound effort from Johnson marked a stark contrast to her earlier game, where she had relied on athleticism to drive past defenders and finish at the rim. Despite being saddled with two fouls in the second quarter, which forced her to rely on her teammates, Johnson continued to produce, demonstrating remarkable poise under pressure.
Her growth was evident as she didn't let her first-half foul trouble deter her from making plays down the stretch. Instead, she made intelligent decisions, such as taking advantage of the zone defense and scoring at the rim.
Johnson's teammates were instrumental in supporting her efforts, with senior Maron Bowes and junior guard Maliyah Mays providing significant contributions off the bench. The team's defense, led by Johnson and Hartman, was particularly impressive in the second half, limiting Maine South to just six points in the fourth quarter.
Carmel coach Ben Berg described Johnson as 'next level,' highlighting her exceptional growth and maturity on the court. Her ability to remain composed under pressure, make smart decisions, and execute effectively has made a significant impact on Carmel's success this season.
I mean can you even believe Liv Johnson is just a freshman?! 
She's like a total boss out there, I'm so hyped for her! Her growth from game to game is insane... she's got that calm and collected vibe on the court that makes you want to watch her play. And let me tell you, her teammates are super supportive too, it's all about teamwork now. Ben Berg calling her 'next level' is no joke! 
I'm seriously keeping an eye on this girl, I think she's got a bright future ahead of her in basketball 
! HER ABILITY TO ADJUST MID-GAME AND OUTSMART HER DEFENDERS WAS PURE GENIUS, AND THAT CRUCIAL MIDRANGE JUMPER WAS THE GAME-SEALER 
! I COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH HER GAME HAS IMPROVED - SHE'S REALLY SHOWING WHAT SHE'S CAPABLE OF! AND KUDOS TO HER TEAMMATES FOR SUPPORTING HER LIKE THAT 
I'm loving how she stepped up her game in the 2nd half, showing signs of a true leader on the court 
I'm so hyped for Carmel's chances this season with Liv leading the charge! She's definitely one to watch in the future 
And props to her teammates for supporting her - team effort all the way around 
. Liv Johnson's skills are def on point tho, no doubt about it 
. I mean, adjusting mid-game and making smart decisions is straight fire 
, especially when you're playing against tough opponents like that. But let's not get ahead of ourselves - she still had some rough moments earlier in the game 
. Still, coach Berg's "next level" comment isn't entirely out of left field, considering all that growth and maturity on display 
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. her teammates r killin it too, maron bowes & maliyah mays are the real MVPs 
she's got poise, intelligence, & skillz for days! can't wait to see what she does in the future 
. Carmel's been playing some decent ball all season and it's about time someone stepped up to lead them 
. Can't wait to see how she holds up in the tournament 
. The way she adjusted mid-game and outsmarted her defenders was pure genius 
. And let's not forget about that clutch midrange jumper - game over, right? 
What I love most about Johnson is how she remained calm under pressure and made smart decisions. It's clear she's got the poise of a seasoned pro 
. She's definitely giving high-major Division I programs some serious food for thought 
... coach berg's 'next level' comment might be a bit obvious but i'm lowkey convinced 
. She showed everyone what she's capable of by adjusting mid-game and making those clutch plays 
. It's insane how she stayed calm under pressure and kept producing even when things weren't going her way 
. Her growth is so impressive, from relying on athleticism to becoming a well-rounded player with smart decision-making 
!
like she's not even playing against anyone 
anyway, ben berg hit the nail on the head, liv is def next level 
. That midrange jumper was like that one perfect moment when it all comes together - you're not even sure how it happened, but BAM! You got the win 
. Johnson's growth reminds me, life's not always about being fearless or taking risks; sometimes it's about knowing when to slow down, assess, & make smart moves 
️. The zone defense was a great setup for her, and she made the most of it. Hartman's defense is solid too, they're like two peas in a pod 
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The fact that she didn't let those fouls get to her in the second half is just testament to how much she's developed her skills. She's like a whole new player from freshman year to now! 
! her coach is totes right, she's got all the skills and maturity to take on the big girls in D1 