Small School Standouts of 2021 Part 1

Big players can also come from small schools.  Despite playing in lower classifications, there have been players that have proven their talent and substantiated this age long narrative.  Santiam Christian’s [player_tooltip player_id="158502" first="Audrey" last="Miller"] is a soccer star whose foot speed and awareness from one sport translates to the other, as she is also an excellent shooter.  Valley Catholic’s Josie Napoli is a confident guard that knows when to let it fly and when to facilitate to others.  [player_tooltip player_id="158505" first="Mia" last="Rust"] played a significant role on the best team in the 4A class as a do-it all player that filled several roles.  [player_tooltip player_id="158490" first="Shelby" last="Blodgett"] led Clatskanie to another 3A State Title as the leader who got it done from both ends of the floor.  Here are the Small School Standouts Part 1. <span style="font-weight: 400"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="158502" first="Audrey" last="Miller"] 2021 5’10” SG Santiam Christian</strong>- She starts her work on the defensive end of the ball, where she is fully engaged in the passing lanes as an active, disruptive defender.  Once she gets the ball, she starts the transition offense and has great court awareness to thrust the ball upcourt for an easy score.  She is a gifted passer that can thread the needle and find teammates within scoring motion.  Audrey is the leader of her team, as offensively she knocks down the three-point ball with good consistency with a quick, consistent release.  Her height and athleticness allows her to be a capable rebounder.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400"><strong>Josie Napoli 2021 5’6” PG Valley Catholic Hs</strong> - Josie dominated the 4A scene at Valley Catholic as a ball dominant, capable scorer that scores at a high pace, headlined by her confident and significant shooting stroke.  She is a dynamic guard that truly does it all, as she is constantly hawking around the ball and putting herself in position to rebound and grab the loose ball.  Above average floor general with the ability to find open teammates thanks to her tight handle and dribble.  Displays quick foot speed and uses this to her advantage as a great and aggressive on-ball defender.  </span> <span style="font-weight: 400"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="158505" first="Mia" last="Rust"] 2021 5’10” SF Philomath HS</strong> - Mia has a key cog in Philomath’s successful run as the 4A juggernaut as a glue type of player than did it all for the Warriors.  She is activated on defense as a ball hawker who pesters defenders and picks their pocket and is an underrated defender in the paint that knows how to time and calculate stripping the ball.  Is aggressive driving to the rim and likes to rise up mid paint and finish before defenders can contest her shot.  Knows when to dump the ball off to teammates when a shot is not available. </span> <span style="font-weight: 400"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="158490" first="Shelby" last="Blodgett"] 2021 5’8” SF Clatskanie HS</strong> - Shelby is a hard-working player whose production can be seen in the vast amounts of numbers all across the board that she contributes in the box score.  She is constantly working in the post and has quite the nose for the rebound as she is both physical and has active hands that help her come up with the ball.  She has a good handle on the ball that allows her to get to her spots and sink the mid-range jumper and she has an excellent touch around the basket.  Defensively, she can step up as an interior defender as well as take initiative as an on-ball defender who is gritty and determined.     </span>