The McDaniel household in Cold Spring boasts a driveway that culminates in a basketball hoop, offering a narrow space that doesn’t accommodate baseline jumpers. However, the length of the driveway suits Camilla McDaniel’s game perfectly.

As a senior at Haldane High School, McDaniel is eyeing a future in college basketball, having received interest from several schools. Standing at 5-foot-7, she may not be towering, but her agility and adeptness at driving to the basket make her a formidable player. Yet, it’s her prowess from beyond the arc that truly sets her apart.

With a knack for sinking 3-pointers, McDaniel’s outside shot has garnered attention, especially in light of basketball phenom Caitlin Clark’s remarkable long-range shooting abilities. Clark’s uncanny accuracy from distances that seem otherworldly has elevated the profile of the 3-point shot in women’s basketball, inspiring a new generation of shooters.

However, even before Clark’s viral shots captured the spotlight on sports broadcasts, players like McDaniel were honing their skills from downtown. Whether she’s facing off against her dad in driveway shootouts or lighting up the scoreboard on the varsity court, McDaniel’s love for long-range shooting is evident.

Surpassing the 100-career 3-pointer mark during her final season at Haldane, McDaniel’s proficiency from beyond the arc underscores her commitment to mastering the art of the 3-point shot.

The significance of the 3-pointer in basketball has never been more pronounced than it is today, with players like Camilla McDaniel embodying its impact on the game.

McDaniel, a standout senior at Haldane High School, has made a name for herself as a deadly outside shooter. Her ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc has garnered attention from coaches and fans alike. Even when she’s singled out by opposing coaches, McDaniel relishes the opportunity to rise to the occasion and deliver clutch 3-pointers.

But McDaniel is just one example of the widespread influence of the 3-pointer in high school basketball. Gina Maher, the esteemed girls’ basketball coach at Irvington High School, has observed the evolution of the 3-point shot firsthand. While it took some time for the 3-pointer to gain traction in high school basketball, its popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, thanks in part to players like McDaniel and basketball phenom Caitlin Clark, who have demonstrated the game-changing potential of long-range shooting.

Maher notes that the rise of the 3-pointer has been a gradual process, with its popularity reaching new heights in the last decade. Today, the ability to shoot from beyond the arc is a coveted skill for players at all levels of the game, including college recruiting. Coaches like Dan Ricci of Ossining High School have long recognized the value of the 3-pointer in their teams’ success, with players like Soniya Chong and Andra Espinoza-Hunter leaving their mark as prolific long-range shooters.

For players like McDaniel and her teammates, the 3-pointer has become an integral part of their game. While its popularity may be trendy at the moment, its impact on the game is undeniable, shaping the way basketball is played and enjoyed by players and fans alike. As McDaniel aptly puts it, a well-timed 3-pointer has the power to change the energy of a game and ignite the atmosphere like nothing else.