The 5 Best Underclassmen in South Dakota Girls Basketball
The future is bright for South Dakota high schools girls hoops. And because of the large number of small schools, that future is oftentimes in the hands of underclassmen who have the chance to start contributing at a much earlier…
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Continue ReadingThe future is bright for South Dakota high schools girls hoops. And because of the large number of small schools, that future is oftentimes in the hands of underclassmen who have the chance to start contributing at a much earlier age then might be the case at a larger high school. Here are some of the best underclassmen in the state, regardless of class.
Emilee Fox Emilee Fox 5'8" | CG Mt.Vernon/Plankinton | 2024 State SD | Mount Vernon-Plankinton High School | 5’8 Freshman Guard
Emilee Fox Emilee Fox 5'8" | CG Mt.Vernon/Plankinton | 2024 State SD plays with a level of moxie and confidence that is rare to find in high school basketball at all, let alone from an 8th grader playing on the varsity team. But that is exactly what she displayed last year. Despite being one of the youngest on the court, Fox averaged 18.1 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, and 4.1 assists per game. She has a smooth stroke from three, can shoot off the dribble, and is tough to guard because she is hunting shots at all times. Fox has also developed a solid mid-range pull-up game, as well as the ability to finish around and over taller defenders at the rim. Her scoring ability combined with adept ball-handling skills forces opponents to focus their entire team defense on her. In handling that pressure, she has also developed the skill set of seeing the floor and her passing is impressive. As a freshman, she is only going to continue getting better and more fun to watch.
Olivia Kieffer Olivia Kieffer 5'10" | CG Rapid City Christian | 2023 State SD | Rapid City Christian High School | 5’9 Sophomore Guard
Olivia Kieffer Olivia Kieffer 5'10" | CG Rapid City Christian | 2023 State SD is an explosive athlete. The quickness and explosiveness of her first step make her virtually impossible to stay in front of. She is the prototype player for a positionless offense, which is what many college basketball teams are edging towards today. She has developed a solid mid-range game and a relentless pursuit of the ball that leads her to tons of put-backs and second-chance opportunities. As a freshman, she averaged 23.5 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game, and 3.6 assists per game. Kieffer has also proven that she can shoot it from three, opening up the floor for her to drive and finish at the rim, which is her bread and butter. What characterizes Kieffer’s game is simply never stopping, from the time the ball goes up to the buzzer at the end of the game.
Avery Broughton Avery Broughton 5'11" | SG Corsica-Stickney | 2023 State SD | Corsica-Stickney High School | 5’11 Sophomore Forward
Avery Broughton Avery Broughton 5'11" | SG Corsica-Stickney | 2023 State SD is another prototype positionless player. Standing at 5’11 or 6’0 depending on who you ask, her length and athleticism allow her to play down low in the post and step out and knock down the three. She often leads the break for her team, pulling down rebounds and pushing the ball aggressively. Broughton also has a signature turn-around fade-away shot in the lane that is almost impossible to stop. As a freshman, she averaged 20.2 points per game, 9.6 rebounds per game, and 3.1 assists per game. Another staggering statistic Broughton brings is on the defensive end, averaging over 2 blocks per game. Her presence in the lane changes the entire offense of opponents and alters the majority of their shots around the rim.
Claire Sheppard Claire Sheppard 6'1" | SF Flandreau | 2024 State SD | Flandreau High School | 5’11 Freshman Guard
Claire Sheppard Claire Sheppard 6'1" | SF Flandreau | 2024 State SD was a key contributor on a talented, well-rounded Flandreau girls team. She has raw talent and athleticism that led to her averaging 7.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game as an 8th grader. She is long and fast, with solid ball handling skills – a skill set that enables her to rebound the ball and lead the fast break. Sheppard has demonstrated the ability to use her body well down low and finish in creative ways with both hands. She is also able to step out to the perimeter and shoot the three with a smooth stroke that she gets off quickly. Her length and speed make her a valuable asset on the defensive end as well.
Kamryn Wadsworth Kamryn Wadsworth 5'10" | SF Hamlin | 2023 State SD | Hamlin High School | 5’10 Sophomore Forward
Kamryn Wadsworth Kamryn Wadsworth 5'10" | SF Hamlin | 2023 State SD might not be as tall as many of the posts she is up against, but she more than makes up for it. Her skill at playing with her back to the basket is rare among high school posts. She uses her body well to back the defense down, spin off of them, euro-step through them, etc. Wadsworth has also proven that she can step out and hit long range shots, making her a matchup nightmare for most other posts. She plays strong and tough down low, pulling down rebounds and being almost immovable on both ends. In addition, her ball handling and speed means that once she pulls down the rebound, no one is waiting around for an outlet. Her skillset has allowed Hamlin to generate a lot of offense through the transition game. She is a high-energy, high-intensity, high-effort, and high-value player.