’22 Rankings Update: Criteria Overview and Top 10 Analysis
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The June rankings update is finally here! This spring has been fun, competitive, and filled with high-level performances from players around the region. I spent the last couple of months traveling to local tournaments, big showcases and watched a ton…
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Continue ReadingThe June rankings update is finally here! This spring has been fun, competitive, and filled with high-level performances from players around the region. I spent the last couple of months traveling to local tournaments, big showcases and watched a ton of these events that were live-streamed to gauge how each athlete has played in comparison to their peers. What I was looking for from players was not raw stats or ability but what prospects, skill set, and level of play is translating to impactful winning basketball. I take into account playing both sides of the ball, playmaking ability, leadership intangibles, body language, and mental fortitude. The players in the region are all super talented, so I was watching to see who does the little things that coaches love seeing that aid in playing winning team basketball.
I also put a premium on an athlete’s degree of difficulty. How well did a player perform facing adverse situations such as the team missing key players? Who played at a high level against the top teams and competition across the Northeast? Most importantly, was your play consistent throughout the entire spring? Considering that, I came up with a top 100 list for the ’22 class. With the next update coming in September, I will continue to watch all these talented players, especially the ones on the watchlist, with the hope of expanding the rankings list to the top 150-200. Below are some of the prospects who jumped the ranks this spring and entered the top 10.
Sarah Talon Sarah Talon 5'9" | CG Windham | 2022 New E – Maine Attraction/Windham – 5’9’’ – CG
Previous Rank: #15
New Rank: #9
Talon has been tremendous all spring long, and every time I watch her play, she brings the same competitiveness and intensity to each game. I like her killer mentality and how hard she plays every possession. Her playmaking ability is so unique because Talon is comfortable creating offense with either hand. Talon sees the floor well and will ignite many fastbreak opportunities because she makes an effort to rip down defensive rebounds. She is also one of the best defenders in her class. There is no better shot-blocking guard in her class, and I always see her taking on the challenge of guarding the other team’s best offensive player no matter the position. During the new England Showcase against the Rivals, I saw her defend top prospect, Samantha Dewey Samantha Dewey 6'2" | PF Brooks | 2022 State New E , in the post, and Talon was battling harder than anyone and showed off her athleticism with a huge block. Talon’s versatility on offense and defense made her a top 10 lock.
Shifty #playmaker @sarahtalon_ @SelectEventsBB pic.twitter.com/QEnq77wAP0
— Allison Talon 🩺 (@atalonnp) May 31, 2021
Victoria Morales Victoria Morales 5'7" | PG Proctor Academy | 2022 State New E – Lady Rivals/Proctor Academy – 5’7’’ – PG
Previous Rank: #31
New Rank: #5
I do not think anyone had more responsibility on her shoulders than Morales did, specifically towards the end of the spring season. For much of the spring, the Rivals played without top point guard Taina Mair Taina Mair 5'8" | PG Brooks | 2022 State New E and lost one of the top ’23 point guards, Lucy Palmer Lucy Palmer 5'8" | PG New Hampton | 2023 State New E , to injury during the Philly Showcase; so Morales had to consume the majority of the minutes at the 1. Nevertheless, Morales was sensational down the stretch with her shot creation for her teammates. Her court vision is out of this world, and she was consistently elevating the talent around her. I like Morales because she plays with so much passion and competes hard every game, which trickles down to the rest of her teammates. She can pull up from deep three-point range, and when she gets aggressive on offense, she will use her quickness to blow by any defender and get to the rack. Morales has been playing at a ridiculous level, and I do not see her slowing down this summer.
Victoria Morales is a true point guard. Her vision on the court is top notch. She's definitely a competitor and a winner!
⛹️♀️: @moralesvicky2
🎵: @beatsbyl5
🎥: #RunTheStats pic.twitter.com/8GcCn4vOIB— Kerm (@KermVargas) June 5, 2021
Megan Olbrys Megan Olbrys 6'1" | PF Norwood | 2022 State New E – Bay State Jaguars/Norwood – 6’1’’ – SF/PF
Previous Rank: #17
New Rank: #4
Like Victoria Morales Victoria Morales 5'7" | PG Proctor Academy | 2022 State New E , Olbrys also had to level up for most of the spring without a top prospect on her team. Shay Bollin Shay Bollin 6'3" | SF Bridgewater-Raynham | 2022 State #26 Nation New E missed a portion of the season, and Olbrys popped, unlike anyone else on this list. From the first tournament and on, Olbrys’ impact on the Jaguars was apparent, whether it be her excellent help-side defense, her ball movement on offense, or her dominance down low. Olbrys also played some of her best games against the region’s top competition. She is a tough matchup for any team because of her toughness and motor, and once Bollin got back on the court, the Jaguars easily had the best frontcourt 1-2 punch in New England. Olbrys is tenacious on the glass, can stretch the floor with her shooting, and can be the most impactful player on the court without touching the ball. She is a unique and special talent who undoubtedly will build off her massive spring season.
Check out some recent highlights of 2022 6’1” @MeganOlbrys👀. Her phone has been ringing off the hook – whoever lands this gem will be so lucky 🔥🏀💛🖤 @JagsRecruiting pic.twitter.com/Pd7ddJDyxl
— LAURIE BOLLIN (@LaurieBollin) May 5, 2021
Samantha Dewey Samantha Dewey 6'2" | PF Brooks | 2022 State New E – Lady Rivals/ Brooks – 6’2’’ – PF/SF
Previous Rank: #12
New Rank: #1
Dewey was out of her mind the entirety of the spring. The consistency from the 6’2’’ forward was unreal, and Dewey showed up every week and performed at a high level no matter who the opponent was. Dewey’s skill set goes without saying; she’s a tough physical post player who can play out on the wing and can hit threes. What separates her from others is that she does impactful things that force the coaching staff to never take her out of the game. Her rim runs are some of the best I have seen because she sprints so hard up the court that it causes the defense to panic due to Dewey’s effectiveness around the basket. With how hard she works on the glass and toughness, along with how well-conditioned she is, you can afford to play her the whole game and get the same effort and efficiency from her throughout. What I started to notice late from Dewey was her passing ability. I like how Dewey can catch the ball on the wing or high post and generate scoring opportunities for her teammates. Until I am blue in the face, I will say that no player is more dangerous than the 6’0’’+ forward who can distribute the ball at a high level, and at 6’2’’, Dewey proved to be one of the best at it this spring. Her size and skill combination is too hard to defend and is a nightmare for opposing teams. She started to cook during the GymRats showcase in Albany, New York, and solidified her top spot with an insane New England Showcase weekend. Congrats to Samantha Dewey Samantha Dewey 6'2" | PF Brooks | 2022 State New E on earning the #1 ’22 player in New England honors.
Nationally recruited ‘22 @SamanthaDewey5 last time on the rd was 2019 but, she’s been in the gym 💯.✔️out her & @LadyRivals #LiveattheNook this weekend @SelectEventsBB @BashHoopsNE @InsiderExposure @HoopsBrooks @NEPSGBCA 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mHvxfgpf6z
— Ushearnda Rae (@IAMCoachU1) April 22, 2021