Rankings Update: 2022’s New Faces Part 1

With the release of the latest PGH Colorado rankings update for the Class of 2022 prior to the start of the 2019-20 postseason in Colorado, a total of 16 new players joined the rankings. Some have emerged through excellent sophomore campaigns, others are popping up at smaller schools that receive less exposure or have been injured, and many of them probably should have already been in the rankings to begin with. Here are five 2022’s who recently entered the PGH Colorado rankings, and where they’re at having just completed their sophomore prep seasons. &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_155680" align="alignright" width="300"] [player_tooltip player_id="145403" first="Brianna" last="Sealy"][/caption]<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145403" first="Brianna" last="Sealy"], 5-10, PF, Air Academy</strong> A transfer from Marana High School in Tucson, Ariz., Sealy added another dynamic two-way threat to an Air Academy team that was already really tough. Standing 5 feet, 10 inches tall as a sophomore, Sealy has good size and footwork, and is quick off the floor which helps her finish in the pick-and-roll. She averaged 8.3 points and 7.3 rebounds in 2019-20 while shooting 54 percent from the field. Sealy is also a good defender, finishing this winter with 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, and totaling three double-doubles though she was close to having seven or eight. Sealy enters the 2020 rankings at No. 35. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145404" first="Alexis" last="Backhaus"], 5-9, SG, Windsor</strong> The Wizards have been a fixture in Colorado’s postseason for years and even though this year’s team was young, the 2019-20 squad still reached the second round of the 5A state tournament. Backhaus is an important piece of a young core and should play a big role in the Wizards’ future. As a sophomore, she averaged 5.2 points and a pair of rebounds per game, and showed the ability to play solid defense and knock down open jump shots when given room to shoot. Backhaus joins the rankings at No. 38. &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_150987" align="alignright" width="300"] [player_tooltip player_id="145406" first="Amanda" last="Neff"][/caption]<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145406" first="Amanda" last="Neff"], 5-10, PF, Arvada West</strong> Following in the footsteps of older brothers Luke and Thomas, who both went on to play at the University of Denver after nice prep careers with the Wildcats, Neff has gotten a fast start to writing her own chapter in A-West basketball lore. She led an up-and-coming Wildcats squad in scoring this season with 8.5 points a night and also averaged 5.9 rebounds. Neff is a good rebounder who uses her strength and body positioning effectively, and showed the ability to step out and knock down a shot from behind the 3-point line where she shot 32 percent (27 for 85). Neff’s best game of the season came on Feb. 1 against Dakota Ridge. She scored a career-high 28 points while going 8 for 12 from the field. She was 2 for 3 from 3-point range and had seven rebounds and three steals in the game. Neff hits the 2022 rankings list at No. 40. &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_120592" align="alignright" width="300"] [player_tooltip player_id="145558" first="Grace" last="Solarin"][/caption]<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145558" first="Grace" last="Solarin"], 5-10, SF, Rangeview</strong> A multi-sport athlete who also does volleyball and track (throws), Solarin gives Rangeview a physical presence in the paint. In 24 games played during her sophomore season, Solarin averaged seven points and 6.4 rebounds. Developing as an offensive threat on a team with many players who can score, Solarin put up double figures in seven games with a season high of 16 points against Westminster on Jan. 22. She also had a double-double (14 points, 15 boards) against a good George Washington squad on Feb. 13. Solarin enters the rankings at No. 50. &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_138726" align="alignright" width="300"] [player_tooltip player_id="145407" first="Harlie" last="Medrano"][/caption]<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145407" first="Harlie" last="Medrano"], 5-11, SF, Pueblo East</strong> Medrano hails from an athletic family – older brother Kain plays wide receiver at UCLA – and had a strong freshman season on the hardwood in 2018-19. A multi-sport athlete and high-academic student, Pueblo East head coach Steve Gradisar raves about what Medrano brings to the Eagles as she continues to improve. As a sophomore, Medrano averaged 8.3 points and was the top all-around hustler and hard worker for Pueblo East. Medrano enters the rankings at No. 52.