Stock-Risers: 2024 Front-Liners
In this article:
Monday we released our December rankings update for the Class of 2024. Since it coincides with the midpoint of the 2020-2021 high school season, I felt like it was a great opportunity to highlight five young ladies who have gotten…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingMonday we released our December rankings update for the Class of 2024. Since it coincides with the midpoint of the 2020-2021 high school season, I felt like it was a great opportunity to highlight five young ladies who have gotten off to nice starts to begin their careers. Below are five forwards and posts who are quickly gaining the respect of their teammates and opponents as the season turns toward the home stretch.
Rachel Harshman
Rachel
Harshman
6'0" | PF
Mooresville | 2024
State
IN
, 2024, 5-11 C, Mooresville H.S.
When I had the opportunity to see Rachel throughout the Summer/Fall, she showed a really nice motor, some strength and physicality, and regardless of the opponent or the level at which she scored the ball, she was always productive in one way or another. She runs the floor hard, she does a lot of the “little things” like get on the floor, take charges, etc., plus she has a nice skillset in the mid-post. So far this Winter, she has really stepped up and helped a Mooresville team who is relying on her and a couple of other youngsters along the frontline. Rachel is averaging 8.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game against a strong schedule.
Addisen Mastriano
Addisen
Mastriano
6'3" | C
Northeastern | 2024
State
IN
, 2024, 6-1 C, Northeastern H.S.
Addisen is a unique blend of size and skill, and she has already become a problem for opponents this Winter. She is built broad and strong like a traditional post, and she can absolutely enforce her will on the block. But Addisen is also comfortable playing facing the basket, she has nice touch in the mid-post area, and she can put it on the floor one to two dribbles and get somewhere productively. She has also grown consistently, and if she can get to a legitimate 6-3 or taller, her recruiting could really take off because of her skill at her size. On a loaded Northeastern team, she is finding ways to contribute immediately, averaging 6.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Lauryn Merritt
Lauryn
Merritt
6'4" | C
Maconaquah | 2024
IN
, 2024, 6-1 C, Maconaquah H.S.
Lauryn is a very intriguing frontline prospect whose best days are probably well in front of her, but make no mistake about it, she has continually improved and is making an impact already this Winter. Lauryn is a long, still-growing, wiry strong post with an athletic frame. She plays hard and runs the floor well, plus she has shown some bounce in her game. Her skill has improved, even since this Summer/Fall, and she will show glimpses of things other girls can’t do, but she just needs to settle in a little more and let the game come to her instead of trying to make the “great” play every possession. This season, she has helped the Lady Braves with 4.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
Rachel Wirts
Rachel
Wirts
6'3" | C
Center Grove | 2024
State
IN
, 2024, 6-2 C, Homeschooled
Many of you won’t see Rachel throughout the Winter because of her unique schedule, but she was highly intriguing as a prospect all Summer/Fall. She has a great combination of size, wiry strength, and an athletic frame, and she runs the floor North/South very well. By appearance alone, she seems almost “too nice” at times, but she is willing to be physical, she establishes herself offensively on the block, she can score with her back to the basket, plus she doesn’t mind contact and will rebound and block shots defensively. As she finishes growing and figures out what she has, she could be really good. Rachel is averaging 7.4 points and 8.8 rebounds for the Indianapolis Wildcats.
Juliann Woodard
Juliann
Woodard
6'1" | PF
Jennings County | 2024
State
IN
, 2024, 5-11 PF, Jennings County H.S.
Juliann was one of the most productive, if not THE most productive 2024 front-liner all Summer/Fall that I saw, but what she has done through nine games already this Winter has been even more impressive. She is a strong, physical, traditional power forward who loves contact. She seeks it posting up, boxing out, and even defending away from the basket. Juliann has deceptive length for as strong as she’s built, and she has a little bounce to her as well. She has really started to develop a nice mid-post/short-corner game, and as that part of her skillset continues to grow, watch out. The Panthers have greatly appreciated her 16.3 points and 12.0 rebounds per game this season.