Five Prep Girls Under the Radar for 2021 – Part II

While there are many outstanding senior girls basketball players throughout the state, there are many more under the radar. Here’s a profile of five - part II: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136278" first="Mia" last="Carter"]:</strong> is a 5-8 point and shooting guard for Thatcher High School and is the captain of her team. Last year she averaged 8 points per game along with 4.1 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists, and 2.2 steals. She is also an outstanding volleyball player and a transfer from Safford High School. In January and February of 2020, Mia was selected as the 'Player of the Game' three times - against Phoenix Christian, Pima, and Bisbee. At the Tucson Exposure Event last summer, Mia impressed scouts with her competitive drive, her never-ending motor, and her desire to always play defense against her opponent’s best player. She also played a huge part in Thatcher winning the 2A state title last year. It was the team’s first title since 2016 and ninth overall. Playing for Coach Dennis Griffin her numbers have improved in 2021: 8.4 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, and 3.3 assists and steals per game. Mia clearly can play at the next level in both basketball and volleyball. With a number of veterans back, the basketball team is looking for another title, this time in 3A. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136266" first="Ava" last="Ferraro"](pictured)</strong> is a 5-5 point guard who plays for Rachel Matakas at Valley Vista High School in Surprise. They are the defending 6A champions and this year they will be competing for their fourth state championship in five years. Ava played as a freshman for Pinnacle High School in Phoenix before transferring to Valley Vista. She is also a member of the All-Academic Girls Basketball Team with a weighted GPA of 4.77. Last summer, playing in the Top 250 Expo, Ava exhibited a high basketball IQ as she attempted to get all of her teammates involved. She has improved every year and, with Valley Vista loaded in both the front and backcourt, she should have an outstanding season as her team makes another title run. With the experience and improvement she has shown, Ava should play at the next level. <img class="size-medium wp-image-213118 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/Ava-Ferraro-1-240x300.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="300" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136290" first="Clarissa" last="Lopez"]:</strong> is a 5-3 point guard who plays for Youngker High School in Buckeye, Arizona. Although only 5-3, Clarissa is an outstanding scorer, averaging 25.8 points per game which is second in the state. She is also among the top ten in field goals and free throws. She is also averaging 6.1 rebounds per game, 3.5 assists per game, and 4.8 steals per game. Over the last three years, Clarissa has received 14 different ’Player of the Game’ awards for her overall performances. This stretches from November 2018 (against Mingus) to January 2020 (against Pima). Earlier this past February, Clarissa had her typical game against Buckeye High School: 28 points, 8 steals, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. She also made the All-Academic Girls Basketball Team in both 2018 with a weighted GPA of 4.0 and then again in 2019 with a weighted GPA of 4.58. An outstanding all-around player, Clarissa should be playing at the next level for the 2021-2022 season. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="218203" first="Nohema" last="Romo"]</strong>: is a 5-2 point guard for the Buena High School Lady Colts in Sierra Vista. In 2018 and 2019, she won three different 'Player of the Game' Awards. Last year her season was cut short by a knee injury but she has battled back in her senior season with perseverance, guts, determination, and drive. After overcoming lots of adversity, Nohema has become an elite-level player. Last year Buena went 20-4 and 10-0 in their Region under Coach Cole Colvin. The Lady Colts lost in the quarterfinals of the state tournament but are loaded again this year to take a run at this year’s championship. Buena is considered one of the Power Five Hoops teams in southern Arizona. Nohema made second-team All-Region in 2020. This year she is the ninth rated point guard in the state. Nohema recently committed to Park University which is in Gilbert, AZ. The basketball season never ends. After this winter’s state tournament, tryouts begin for a spring and summer competition with Nohema’s grassroots team, AZ Select Tucson. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="217493" first="Alexis" last="Enriquez"]</strong>: is a 5 foot senior for the Pueblo Warriors who plays shooting guard and is the team’s captain. Under Coach Ismael Galindo, Alexis is averaging 3.1 points and 1.4 assists per game. The seniors graduating this year are the last ones to advance to the championship game in 2018. With a recent loss, the Lady Warriors were knocked out of the state tournament for the first time in five years. Pueblo had a difficult time with the Covid19 virus. With many restrictions and limitations, the team still had a season. Alexis summed up the frustration and anxiety this way. "Whenever life seems difficult or things keep changing, the best thing to do is keep moving forward and being positive," she said. "That’s what I’ve been doing and that is what keeps me going."