STOCK RISERS: Junior Guards on the Rise

Israel Potoczny

January 28, 2020 @ 12:00 PM

With the 2019-2020 season entering the home stretch, Prep Girls Hoops Kansas takes a look at several juniors who are raising their profile this season. Here, Prep Girls Hoops takes a look at several 2021 forwards. Kimalee Cook, 5’5, G, 2021, Circle An electric point guard who has great defensive awareness and the ability to come away with the ball and score in transition. Cook is averaging a team-high 16.5 points, two assists, 1.6 rebounds and 4.1 steals per game. She has great strength and speed and good handles and the ability to stop and pop from three-point range. She’s shooting 43 percent from the floor and 75 percent from the free throw line hitting 21-28. She has terrific vision and knows how to score points in bunches. A standout offensive player. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/grace-eck/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/grace-eck/">Grace Eck</a></a>, 5’4, G, 2021, Ellis An impressive leader and all around facilitator, Eck is an intelligent scoring guard who can handle the ball for herself and create openings and get her shot off against taller opponents. She has good mechanics to her shot and connects from beyond the arc. the mid-range area and around the glass in transition. Eck is averaging a team-high 18.9 points per game while shooting 40 percent from the field and 88 percent from the free throw line. She’s also averaged 5.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.6 steals per game. Amaleigh Mattison, G, 2021, Buhler Another guard for bueller who looks to pass quickly and score when she has an open look. She is a hustle player who contributes a lot of effort to the defensive side of the floor and can come up big in a press or moments where her team is trapping and forcing turnovers. She is mobile and can create some with the ball and plays well off the ball as well. Madi Michaelis, 5’5, G, 2021, Circle A player for Circle who has emerged this year as a scoring threat and an all-around physical player on both ends of the floor. She is great at forcing turnovers and can rebound well for her size. She pushes the tempo when she has the ball and is quick to shoot from distance or the mid-range area or even take it all the way to the basket. Michaelis is averaging 6.5 points, 1.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game. Lilly Smith, 5’0, G, 2021, Topeka Another scoring option for Topeka who adds speed and overall toughness. Smith is a nice guard who can create plays with the ball or operate well off the ball. Smith has great speed and gets out in transition and make plays as a scorer and passer. She can score from distance and has the confidence to take shots in a variety of tough situations. Smith is averaging 10.4 points per game while shooting 34 percent from 3-point range. She adds two assists and one steal per game.