2021’s Succeed With Handles, Pace, & Tempo
All-State teams reflect on-court HS season performance while PGH rankings indicate college potential built from long-term observations. Our 2021’s feature what college coaches want: fleet feet, magic passing, quick-release scoring, and relentless effort. PGH advocates summer/AAU ball because college coaches…
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Continue ReadingAll-State teams reflect on-court HS season performance while PGH rankings indicate college potential built from long-term observations. Our 2021’s feature what college coaches want: fleet feet, magic passing, quick-release scoring, and relentless effort.
PGH advocates summer/AAU ball because college coaches really want to see how much better you perform with faster/larger/quicker teammates.
Our top 25 are preparing to jump aboard college rosters, a conclusion deducted from watching their breathtaking mix of speed and quick twitch moves. Let’s specify the best traits that attract serious looks and letters-of-intent-offers for these top-ranked 25.
#25 – Braiden Westley, Colman/Egan – 5’8 Agile and active motion, even more acceleration on help defense or ball pressure traps. Improved a bunch and gaining momentum.
#24 – Darah DeKam, Castlewood – 6’0 Recovering from 2018 ACL injury in fits and spurts. Shows shooting range from elbow into low block; anticipates angles well with footwork & strength. Asserting herself with confidence to make up for the lost year.
#23 – Emma Jarovski, Brandon Valley – 5’8 Defends well from rim to perimeter; has good ball skills LH/RH; shot is streaky, but athleticism clearly evident; track speed!
#22 – Madison Koepsell, McCook Central – 6’0 Greatly improved at PF and at point on zone defense; had 6’3 teammate inside to max-out high/low passing game; in summer and next season, her role changes which is crucial to college-level options.
#21 – Addison Rozell, Redfield – 6’2 ACL injury still slowing performance, but the knowledge, skills, and BB IQ are intact for confidence & re-build to D1/D2 levels, again.
#20 – Brielle Bietler, SF Washington – 5’7 Somewhat inconsistent scorer but she impresses with effort and energy. HS team never gelled around talents available.
#19 – Cassidy Siemonsma, West Central – 6’2 Has mid-range game and low block skills. Needs to keep ball up and stay low versus larger bodies.
#18 – Morgan Edelman, Menno – 5’7 All-Conference with well over 1,000-pts scored. Stellar dribbler, passer & defender who needs summer ball to prove herself against larger/stronger/faster players.
#17 – Kenadi Rising, RC Stevens – 5’10 Streaky 3-pt bomber, with the mid-range game as well; boxes out and positions self to utilize length. Leader on ball-trap defense for Stevens.
#16 – Stevi Fallis, Red Cloud – 5’6 Attack mode always engaged, to force the pace. Frustrates and de-moralizes foes with hustle, rim runs RH/LH, rebounding and ball pressure.
#15 – Raven Barse, Corsica/Stickney – 5’10 Hustles to protect rim and passing lanes. Nice floor vision pays off with steal and boards. Complete player on best Class B team.
#14 – Halle Heinz, Ipswich – 5’5 1,000-pt scorer with 8+treys in several games; high intensity leading the team to rachet up pace and effort. Quick trigger. Always moving, testing the D, and dropping down to help.
#13 – Olivia Ritter, Tea Area – 5’9 Very athletic, with ball skills, hops/vertical and smooth stroke. Too erect/tall on defense and was visibly tired by West Central’s & Red Cloud’s relentless ball pressure. Fatigue hurt scoring %-age.
#12 – Sharissa Haas, Red Cloud – 6’0 95th percentile in energy output to dominate lane, baseline, and keep the team’s attack throttle at “All-In.” Boards well, physical presence, always challenging, and disruptive. Sleeper prospect in Pine Ridge.
#11 – Caelyn Valanda-Prue, White River – 5’9 ACL injury in January. Had 30+/ppg average, primarily speed runs to the rim, but three’s and pull up poppers improving.
#10 – Brecli Honner, Harrisburg – 5’8 All Conference ESD, based on teamwork, passing, boarding, defending, and leadership. Great floor vision and shooter from elbow to rim.
#9 – Liz Olson, Garrretson – 6’1 Strong with fluid movement, good footwork and vertical. LH on low block is soft, almost feathery, with both step-thru’s & pivot moves. Under-utilized by HS coach. Will convert elegantly into power forward at next level.
#8 – Kalla Bertram, Winner – 5’9 Scrappy with quickness, agility, and length. Great anticipation on both ends; quick exploitation of opportunities.
#7 – Cameryn Logan, Ethan – 5’10 Strong post play, with/without back-to-hoop. Handles best inside opponent with muscle, footwork and timing.
#6 – Lexi Plitzuweit, Vermillion – 5’8 High BB IQ with herky-jerky handles to keep defenders cautious. No-Fear attitude and gritty nature make her a D1/D2 point guard.
#5 – Alayna Benike, Castlewood – 5’11 Mid-major motor and skills, like Arens or Selland, Floor recognition and alert movements maximize point production.
#4 – Izzy Moore, O’Gorman – 5’8 Extreme athlete, with high BB IQ who made risky choices payoff. Best defender on O’G traps, due to ball skils and snapse functionality.
#3 – Lexi Unruh, SF Christian – 6’0 ACL injury at 90-seconds into season. Will return next season to recover before heading off to Creighton and the Big East with UConn joining the conference.
#2 – Sydni Schetnan, SF Washington – 6’5 Ideal for that D-1 program that uses a big-&-tall inside, while four slashers buzz around outside, like the “electron cloud” covering the nucleus. This is the dominant center needed.
#1 – Haleigh Timmer, St Thomas More – 5’11 32-inch vertical means great length while rebounding & as unruly defender. Scorer’s mentality shows with 23-ppg average. Quickness and track speed combine for spectacular acrobatics.