STOCK RISERS: Sophomore guards on the Rise

With the 2019-2020 season entering the home stretch, Prep Girls Hoops Kansas takes a look at several sophomores who are raising their profile this season. Here, Prep Girls Hoops takes a look at several 2022 guards. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/allie-baker/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/allie-baker/">Allie Baker</a></a>, 5’1, G, 2022, Emporia A strong guard who can hit shots from 3-point range and force turnovers and score in transition. She has good handles and can lead her team in a variety of ways. Baker is a strong defensive player as well who keeps her eye on the ball and is good at tipping away passes and jumping passing lanes. she can create some in transition and looks to push the tempo and get the ball to whoever on our team is open. A team-first player for Emporia who has good upside and a lot of potential as a sophomore. Aaliyah Garcia, G, 2022, Shawnee Mission West A good scoring option to keep your eyes on who can score in a variety of ways. She is a strong player who plays fast and looks to contribute in transition and from a distance. Garcia has a lot of strong intangibles and can find her stroke and also find open looks inside and around the mid-range area. A player with good vision, speed, defensive awareness who is unselfish and brings a high IQ to the floor. Ava Gillespie, 2022, Quinter Gillespie is a strong sophomore player who looks to make plays as a defender whether it's as a rebounder or shop blocker. She can score well for herself and just seems to find ways to get on the board. She’s averaging 9.3 points, 2.9 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.9 steals. She’s at her best rebounding on the defensive side of the floor but she can also clean up plays and even get to the free-throw line and connect when she's dialed in. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/gracie-gilpin/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/gracie-gilpin/">Gracie Gilpin</a></a>, PG, 2022, Emporia A solid defensive minded player who brings a hard-nosed mentality to the floor. Gilpin had a strong summer for Wheat State Elite and is continuing her trend of productive play. She has good handles for her position and can get others involved and put them in a place to score an open shot. Gilpin is at her best shooting from outside, operating as a stop-and-pop player and a catch-and-shoot one. She is a strong decision maker and brings overall toughness to the floor. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aubrie-kierscht/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aubrie-kierscht/">Aubrie Kierscht</a></a>, 5’5, G, 2022, Salina Central Kierscht is a relentless guard who understands her role and how to put up points regardless of the matchup. She has great quickness and an eye for defensive plays and can come away with the ball and score in transition. She's also solid 3-point shooter who has the confidence to step back and roll the dice. She’s averaging a team-high 16.6 points, two assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. She’s shooting 49 percent from the floor and 60 percent from the free throw line. She’s shooting 41 percent from the field and 33 percent from 3-point range. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/sierra-jellison/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/sierra-jellison/">Sierra Jellison</a></a>, 5’6, G, 2022, South Central (Coldwater) A standout lead guard for South Central who provides speed, handles and a strong playmaking ability. Jellison is a creative guard who also looks to lead her team as a floor general and scoring option. She’s currently leading her team in scoring after 12 games with 16.8 points and adds 1.1 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 2.9 steals per game. She’s a terrific defender and looks to stay in front of opponents and can pick off pass or come away with a steal through her full court effort. Jellison has a good shot and shots a strong percentage from 3-point range. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/reagan-ponzer/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/reagan-ponzer/">Reagan Ponzer</a></a>, 5’8, G, 2022, Olathe South A scoring threat from distance who can find her stroke and start filling out a stat sheet. she has what seems like unlimited range at times, shooting several feet beyond the 3-point line. Ponzer has a high release point to her shot and good mechanics all around. She hustles on defense and plays well in transition and gets up the floor and back on defense quickly to protect the basket. A sophomore scoring guard who has good height and a lot of potential as a scorer. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/harlie-wilson/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/harlie-wilson/">Harlie Wilson</a></a>, G, 2022, Hutchinson A player to keep your eyes on who is physical and brings good speed and versatility to the floor. She is improving her handles and looks to get the ball to the lead guard and plays off the ball well and can score from the wing area and inside at times.