Top 12 Underclassmen from Four Class A Teams (Part 1)

On Saturday the 18th, I was able to catch two great Metro Conference matchups starting with Fremont at Bellevue East and later Millard South at Omaha Central. Fremont won the first game 50-37 and the Patriots maintained their undefeated record with a 67-23 win. I was blown away with the amount of underclassmen talent in these matchups. These are four teams that will be competitive over the next 2-3 years. Here are the top 12 freshman and sophomores that I watched compete in Saturday's games. <h5>12.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>Sarah Sheppard - 5'10 Forward - Class of 2022 - 6.8 ppg</h5> Sarah Sheppard is a long forward that can play multiple positions. She is active on the glass, averaging 5.9 rebounds this season, but does a good job of recognizing when she can leak out and run in transition. She gets down hill in the open court and is aggressive looking to score. Sarah has a pretty jump shot, but she is only shooting 24% from 3 point range. She also has room to improve as an on ball defender. Sheppard is already helping the Fremont Tigers in her second season, but will see her stock rise if she can improve in these two areas.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <h5>11.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/megan-belt/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/megan-belt/">Megan Belt</a></a> - 5'6 Guard - Class of 2022 - 7.4 ppg</h5> <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/megan-belt/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/megan-belt/">Megan Belt</a></a> is the point guard on the undefeated Millard South Patriots. She spreads the ball around, is a creative passer, and knocks down timely shots. The Patriots are loaded with talent and Megan gets everyone involved. She is averaging 3.1 assists this season. Belt is a physical defender and hits spot up shots with deep range.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <h5>10.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aniah-wayne/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aniah-wayne/">Aniah Wayne</a></a> - 5'8 Guard - Class of 2022 - 8.4 ppg</h5> <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aniah-wayne/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aniah-wayne/">Aniah Wayne</a></a> was sidelined to start the season with an injury, but has come back strong. She makes an impact with her ball handling, physicality, and aggressiveness. Wherever her team may be struggling, she can help. Aniah can break a press as a ball handler and makes good decisions. She is a physical rebound, averaging 5.6 rebounds this season. Aniah's numbers will continue to improves as she gets more in game action this season.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <h5>9.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>Ital Lopuyo - 6'5 Center - Class of 2022 - 10.1 ppg</h5> Ital Lopuyo has great size and length to rebound and block shots. Offensively, Ital can catch the ball near the back board on lob passes and finish. Defensively, she is averaging 2.3 blocks per game and her long arms make opponents think twice about attempting interior shots. She can rebound in a wide area and over the top of opponents. She needs to get stronger and more agile to take her game to the next level.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <h5>8.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/riley-jensen/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/riley-jensen/">Riley Jensen</a></a> - 5'9 Forward - Class of 2022 - 8.7ppg</h5> <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/riley-jensen/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/riley-jensen/">Riley Jensen</a></a> is a do it all player for Bellevue East. She is the primary ball handler, an active defender, and the second leading rebounder, averaging 6.5 rebounds per game. She gets teammates involved on offense, but stays aggressive attacking the hoop. Jensen can back down smaller defenders or take slower players off the dribble. If she had less responsibility as a ball handler, defender, and rebounder, her scoring total would go up. But right now the chieftains need her to be everywhere, and she can do it.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <h5>7.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>Khloe Lemon - 5'7 Guard - Class of 2023 - 9.4 ppg</h5> Khloe Lemon is a high effort player, efficient scorer, and spark plug off the bench for Millard South. She is shooting 35% from three and 56% from the floor this season. Khloe is an athlete that scrambles on defense, runs the floor in transition, and is all over the court. Lemon's minutes are limited due to Millard South's depth, but she is improving every game and impressing in the minutes she has.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> Check out the seconds half of this list (Players 1-6) in Part 2 linked below. <h5 style="text-align: center"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2020/01/top-12-underclassmen-from-four-metro-conference-teams-part-2/">Top 12 Underclassmen from Four Class A Teams (Part 2)</a></h5> &nbsp; &nbsp;