Class of 2022 Analysis – #51-60

There are 60 prospects listed in the Prep Girls Hoops 2022 Nebraska rankings, and, in 6 parts, I will touch on each of these players and discuss their situations in the upcoming high school season. In this first analysis, I will tackle the players ranked from 51–60. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="174495" first="Abigail" last="Yelken"] - C - Franklin</strong> She averaged 11.5 points per game, 11.4 blocks, and 4.3 stocks (steals + blocks) as a sophomore, all of which led the team. Abigail is one of the better rim-protectors you’ll find in the 2022 class, and can defend 10-15 feet out and still hold her own. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="94518" first="Lauren" last="Young"] - PF - O’Neill</strong> Lauren is one of the glue pieces on a very talented O’Neill roster. She has great anticipation which she weaponizes to jump passing lanes and ignite the fast break. She runs well and can handle the ball pretty well in the open court. The next step for her is to develop her half-court skills. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="94530" first="Olivia" last="Poppert"] - G - St. Paul</strong> Using her high, consistent shooting motion, Olivia has proven herself a sharpshooter from distance. Her ball-handling limits her shot versatility but is great off the catch. On defense she has active and smart hands. She is able to accurately swipe at drives or contest shots without fouling. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="94510" first="Mariah" last="Gardner"] - SG - Wallace</strong> Mariah puts forth excellent effort on the defensive end. Some young players get burned by over-anxious defense or misplaced energy, but Mariah is smart with her energy. She hedges and returns at the right times. She applies pressure at the right times and blurs passing lanes with her active hands. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="174497" first="Avery" last="Heilig"] - SG - Bellevue East</strong> As a sophomore, Avery expanded her capabilities as a spot-up shooter and began to run off screens and into more shot opportunities rather sitting at a spot with hands ready. As she grows more comfortable in these situations, her efficiency numbers should improve, as I believe she is better than her shooting numbers from the field and from three suggest (27%, and 28%, respectively). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="174496" first="Skye" last="Giddings"] - PG - Omaha South</strong> Skye returns this season as the leading scorer for her Packers squad, but do not sleep on her rebounding as an undersized guard. She has the strength to move people in the paint and compete for rebounds. At the very least, she makes life difficult for the opponent which adds up over a game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="174498" first="Kaitlyn" last="Hanna"] - SG - Omaha Westside</strong> In 19’-20’ Kaitlyn fit in nicely off-ball in the Warriors’ offense. If defenses choose to shade too far off her she can make the defense pay. Westside lost over 75% of their scoring to graduation, and Hanna will be expected to improve upon her 3.6 points per game from a year ago. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="94509" first="Madelyn" last="Gaughen"] - PF - North Bend Central</strong> The versatility on defense stands out most in Madelyn’s game. She moves very well on the perimeter without relying on her hands, and can slide down in the paint and hold her own against bigger matchups. I anticipate her movement and IQ will translate to the offensive side as she grows more comfortable on that end. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="94512" first="Chainey" last="Thompson"] - SG - Omaha Westside</strong> Chainey will be asked to step into a much larger role for Westside this winter. In limited opportunities last season, we saw Chainey with a good shooting stroke from outside, with potential as a more dangerous catch and shoot threat with more touches. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="94534" first="Gwen" last="Stocker"] - C - Millard West</strong> There will be opportunities for Gwen at the center and power forward positions. Aside from returning senior [player_tooltip player_id="94399" first="Laney" last="Schipper"], the minutes are wide open at both spots. Gwen showed some feel on the glass, able to maneuver around the morass of bodies and snatch the ball at its highest point.