Class of 2022 – Stock Risers (Part 6)

In our final look at the 2022 stock risers - we have an outstanding group of 5 players that contribute to some of the state’s top teams. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="266970" first="Annie" last="Watson"] - 5’11 Wing - Akron SVSM</strong> Watson had another great season for the Fighting Irish - as they played one of NEO’s toughest schedules. Annie has outstanding length, using it to hurt opponents on the perimeter and on the block. She is more than capable of grabbing a rebound and taking it the length of the floor to finish in transition. A good rebounder and defender, Watson helps her team win on both ends of the court. She is a big-time prospect with her size and skill-set. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="212894" first="Shalen" last="Guilliams"] - 5’8 Guard - Loudonville</strong> There are some elite sharpshooters in Ohio - however, one could argue that Guilliams is at the top of the list. The off-guard drilled 92 3-pointers this year for the 25-1 Loudonville Redbirds - at a 40% clip from deep. Shalen is far from a one-trick pony though - she is a great passer/playmaker and is always getting her hands on passes defensively. Her strength and conditioning allow her to make plays deep into the fourth quarter when her team needs a bucket or a stop. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="159376" first="Olivia" last="Baker"] - 5’8 Guard - Shelby</strong> Baker is the primary scorer for an outstanding team at Shelby. The big and strong guard can hurt you in a number of ways - whether it be in catch and shoot situations with range well behind the 3-point line, or in transition off of steals with a variety of finishes. Olivia rebounds at a high level for a perimeter player and also has above-average court vision - with the ability to create shots for her talented teammates. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="212895" first="Grace" last="Schill"] - 5’9 Wing - Akron Hoban</strong> Regardless of what class you are talking about - Akron Hoban has some of the state’s top players. [player_tooltip player_id="212895" first="Grace" last="Schill"] fits the bill for the Class of 2022. An elite on-ball defender - Grace guarded the other team’s best player throughout Hoban’s deep tournament run. She is physical and uses her athleticism and motor to create havoc, whether it be on the offensive glass or in the passing lanes. An improved scorer from her first two years - Schill is becoming a polished all-around player for one of the state’s top big-school programs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="32616" first="Sophia" last="Niese"] - 5’5 Guard - Shelby </strong> Niese is another good perimeter option for the Shelby Whippets. The lightning quick lead-guard is one of Ohio’s most underrated PG’s in the 2022 class. Sophia can pick up ball-handlers and pressure them in the full court. She has great court vision to go with a super-quick first step that makes her very tough to guard with a single defender. Niese wants the ball in close games - she isn’t afraid to make a play for her team when the clock is running down in a barnburner.