Summer Rankings: 2022 Stock-Risers Part-3

Brandon Bradley July 5, 2021 @ 02:00 PM

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id="128171" first="Kelly" last="Ratigan"] (2022) of South Bend’s St. Joseph High School and 1 Nation 17U. June is a big month for rankings throughout the Prep Girls Hoops Network, and for the Class of 2022, they start a lot of "lasts"...their last Summer of grassroots basketball, their last high school season, their last run at conference and state tournament titles, and their last opportunities to make impressions on college coaches who have been recruiting them. On the whole, the 2022 list expanded from 200 prospects to 225 prospects, and there was some movement throughout the entirety of the list. With regards to that movement, this is the third and final of three articles highlighting 15 prospects who moved up the rankings nine or more spots this time around. Below is a look at five more ladies I felt really stood out with their play throughout the Spring.   [player_tooltip player_id="206425" first="Gloria" last="Brewer"], 2022, 5-7 SG, Homeschooled - Gloria is a nice, well-rounded ballplayer who started to do a lot more aside from her homeschool team over the last 8-10 months. She appeared in some showcase events last Fall, and now she is playing on the grassroots circuit as well. She is fairly strong for her size, she has some length, and she’s a solid on-the-floor athlete. She is a programmed scorer and looks to shoot on every catch. She has some range on her jumper, a nice mid-range pull-up, and she gets to the FT line. [player_tooltip player_id="128197" first="Leah" last="Carter"], 2022, 6-0 PF/C, Northwestern H.S. - When Leah’s grassroots coach was unfortunately unable to coach this season, she reportedly opted for travel volleyball. But she attended the IBCA Top-100 Showcase and was really good. She plays with a nice motor and some physicality, but I felt like she was more of a traditional back-to-the-basket post. In June she looked more fluid and explosive, and she was a lot more confident and comfortable playing facing the basket. She should have college opportunities in either sport. [player_tooltip player_id="243591" first="Dakotah" last="Krohn"], 2022, 5-7 SG, Woodlan H.S. - Dakotah caught my attention during Sectional play in the 2020 state tournament, but I didn’t see her much last Summer/Fall. This Spring, however, she has played well each weekend. She looks a little taller, stronger, and more athletic. She’s also more comfortable with the ball in her hands, she’s shooting it more consistently outside, and all-in-all she’s just affecting the game in a variety of ways each time out. I think she’s still a little under the radar, as she’s a nice small college prospect. [player_tooltip player_id="128171" first="Kelly" last="Ratigan"], 2022, 5-7 PG, South Bend St. Joseph H.S. - I first saw Kelly in the Spring of 2019, and she has always played with a poise and savvy of an upperclassman. She is a strong guard, a solid all-around athlete, but she plays at a steadying pace, doesn’t rush, and doesn’t force the action. She takes care of the ball, gets it where it needs to go, and she can either knock down open rhythm jumpers or attack the basket North/South and draw fouls. She truly understands what she is/isn’t and always finds ways to contribute. [player_tooltip player_id="128145" first="Emily" last="Roper"], 2022, 6-0 PF/C, Carmel H.S. - Emily first appeared in our rankings during December of 2019, but she has never played grassroots ball because she is also a talented soccer player. This month that will change, as she is planning on playing hoops throughout the month, and college coaches will take notice. She has a strong, athletic frame, she moves well in all directions, and she has very quick feet and natural instincts. She isn’t much of a scorer right now, but she has a great motor, she’s a versatile defender, and she rebounds well.