North Central Conference: Top Players In Class Of 2022
This past winter, only a select few sophomores cracked the lineup for teams in the North Central Conference. But those 10th-graders made sure to position themselves for the next two years by gaining invaluable court experience. Here’s a look at…
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Continue ReadingThis past winter, only a select few sophomores cracked the lineup for teams in the North Central Conference.
But those 10th-graders made sure to position themselves for the next two years by gaining invaluable court experience.
Here’s a look at some of the top players in the 2022 class in the NCC:
Avery Hanson Avery Hanson 5'9" | PF Hampton-Dumont-CAL | 2022 State IA , Hampton-Dumont/CAL (2022)
Part of a sophomore duo that led the Bulldogs in most offensive categories, Avery Hanson Avery Hanson 5'9" | PF Hampton-Dumont-CAL | 2022 State IA found her rhythm this past winter.
Hanson averaged 12 points per game, knocking down 22 three-pointers. She also led Hampton-Dumont/CAL with 145 rebounds and was among the team leaders with 57 steals and 33 assists.
Analysis: Hanson shot 42 percent from the field, but was just a 26-percent 3-point shooter. An improvement from deep could see her scoring take a major upswing.
Lauren Meader Lauren Meader 5'7" | PG Hampton-Dumont-CAL | 2022 State IA , Hampton-Dumont/CAL (2022)
The second piece to the sophomore tandem for the Bulldogs, Lauren Meader Lauren Meader 5'7" | PG Hampton-Dumont-CAL | 2022 State IA posted 11.5 points per game on 48 percent shooting.
Meader also added 67 steals, 79 rebounds and 39 assists, knocking down 17 triples.
Analysis: Much like her teammate, Avery Hanson Avery Hanson 5'9" | PF Hampton-Dumont-CAL | 2022 State IA , if Meader can improve on her long-range shooting, Hampton-Dumont/CAL could be a tough team to defend next year.
Jaden Ainley, Clear Lake (2022)
The “next player in” line will be asked of Jaden Ainley, as the Lions graduate quite a bit of production.
Ainley scored just over five points a night last year, but also provided a little of everything, recording 73 rebounds, 34 steals and 27 assists. She knocked down a handful of 3-pointers and shot over 42 percent from the floor.
Analysis: Clear Lake loses leading scorer Sara Faber Sara Faber 5'9" | SF Clear Lake | 2020 State IA , but return a handful of regulars, including Ainley. Someone will need to help replace the production of Faber, and the 5-foot-8 Ainley might just be that person.
Kelly Stoakes Kelly Stoakes 5'5" | PG Webster City | 2022 State IA , Webster City (2022)
The Lynx will graduate all-time 5-on-5 leading scorer Taylor McKinney Taylor McKinney 5'7" | SF Webster City | 2020 State IA , but sophomore Kelly Stoakes Kelly Stoakes 5'5" | PG Webster City | 2022 State IA returns with the abilities to help replace that production.
Stoakes, a standout all-around athlete for Webster City, scored just under five points per game last year with 50 rebounds, 26 assists and 24 steals.
Analysis: Marked improvement shooting from all areas of the floor will make Stoakes a tough player to defend. Her 45 attempts from the 3-point line last year ranked third on the team.
Emily Theiss, Clear Lake (2022)
Another player with good size for the Lions, the 5-foot-9 Emily Theiss averaged just under four points a game last year.
She provided a good mix of shots among her limited attempts, putting up 37 three-pointers while also making 80 percent of her free throws.
Analysis: Theiss had 35 steals and dished out 36 assists on the court, and is part of a large group of players who saw time last year.