2023s Whose Stock is on the Rise, Part 1

10 - 20 years ago there weren’t many freshman who got the chance to play varsity basketball. Nowadays you see more and more younger kids making an impact at that level. Sophomore year is when most girls find their stride and start to feel more confident and comfortable having a role at the varsity level. For most of them, this is the first year they are playing consistent varsity minutes. When it comes to these five girls, opportunity has been key. For a few of them, going to a big school meant you had to wait your turn, for the<span style="font-size: 1rem;"> others they were th</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">rown out on the court young and had to carry the team on their back. Whatever the situation may be these five girls have stepped up in big ways to help their program and their stock is on the rise.</span> <p style="text-align: left;"><img class="wp-image-218067 alignleft" style="font-size: 1rem;" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/201023_JennaKluxdal_2.jpg" alt="" width="220" height="146" />[player_tooltip player_id="186134" first="Jenna" last="Kluxdal"] - The 6’0 power forward from Jordan and North Tartan Elite AAU program, has stepped into her leadership role this year with ease. She is making a big statement this year, as opportunity has allowed it. Jordan looks for her to put points on the board being the leading scorer. The #87 ranked player put up 24 points against a really strong unbeaten Waconia team last week. She has a strong body and long arms, where she gets her hands on everything. She also uses them to block any shot that comes into the lane. She’s playing the 5 but when she is on the perimeter she shoots the three with great confidence. Jenna makes good on the floor decisions so watch out for her to run the floor or be a trailer on offense.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><img class="wp-image-218030 alignleft" style="font-size: 1rem;" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/201023_BrazielFairbanks_1.jpg" alt="" width="220" height="146" /></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 1rem;">[player_tooltip player_id="186135" first="Braziel" last="Fairbanks"] - The 5’5 guard from Edina, who is #108 on our list, is another guard who has speed for days. She brings an unexpected spark off the bench for Edina. She has become very good at using her speed to attack the rim and draw the foul. If you give her some space she will hit the three. Her quickness also allows her to be feisty on defense, and get steals. This year I have seen Braziel lock up some of the best players in the state from the Lake Conference.</span></p> [player_tooltip player_id="220827" first="Annika" last="Anderson"] - The 5’9 combo guard from Eden Prairie and Metro Stars AAU program, currently ranked #84, is now a part of a really strong line up at EP. Annika is one of the fastest girls I’ve seen on the court. She can literally go from 0 to 100 in a second. She has what you call a motor, and she can go and go at a fast pace for the whole game. She is a great defender and has shut down a lot of great talent; not afraid to get in your face on defense. Not only that, her first step to the right is so fast she can attac<span style="font-size: 1rem;">k the rim with ease. Don’t leave her open because she will also hit the three!</span> [player_tooltip player_id="148332" first="Ashlee" last="Burchette"] - The 5’7 point guard from Bloomington Kennedy and Minnesota Stars AAU program, is a young vet on her high school team and is currently ranked #76. This stage is nothing new to her, as she returned as their leading scorer from last year. This girl knows how to score, last week she put up 37 points and has already knocked down 149 points for the season. She is the floor general for her team, she can attack you one on one or step outside the three and knock it down. On defense she’s gotten really good at anticipating the pass, where she can jump out for the steal for a quick layup. [player_tooltip player_id="148339" first="Bre" last="Frazier"] - The 5’7 shooting guard from Cooper, who is #83 on our list, has found her place and stepped into more of a consistent role this year on varsity. Bre looks to push the ball on transition so she can make a swifty move herself or drop off the pass at the right time on the 2-on-1. She finds a way to make her self open whether it be a cut in the lane when her defender falls asleep, or a drive and kick three.