Stock-Risers: 2022 Updated Rankings

I was excited to see the updated 2022 rankings come out this week! This is a very deep class with a ton of talent at every position. In an update that saw 35 players added to the list, it took a strong junior year or a dominant club season to move up on the list. There is so much gold in the list below! Here are Colorado's 2022 prospects who moved up the most coming into their senior year: - Mullen - #19 up to 5

Anyone who's seen her play this summer knows that Freelon has top prospect written all over her. It's no surprise to see her jump into the top five in this talented class. She moves with grace, leaps head and shoulders above the competition, and impacts the game on every play. Freelon might not have huge numbers to show off from her junior year at Mullen (7.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.4 SPG), but she's played a very selfless role and been a part of multiple championships. Watching her dominate with Colorado Hoopsters this summer, Freelon fully deserves this big jump in ranking.

- Arapahoe - #15 up to 9

Crispe is an obvious top ten prospect after a monster 17.1 PPG, 8.4 RPG season playing against the top competition in Colorado. Crispe dropped 20 on Cherry Creek, had 18 and 26 point performances against Mullen, and 21 in a win over Broomfield playing against a fellow 6'2" division one recruit in Courtney Wristen Courtney Wristen 6'2" | PF Broomfield | 2021 State CO . Crispe is just outstanding in the well-coached Arapahoe offense attacking from the high post and using high level footwork to get to the rim.

- Vista Peak Prep - #31 up to 23

Jefferson finished with consecutive twenty-point games against Brighton and Rangeview to stamp an 18.7 PPG year. I think it's her passing (3.2 APG) and defense (4.7 SPG) that shot her up the list, though. At 5'3", Jefferson packs a ton of effort and energy into her game to work her way into the top twenty-five.

- Thompson Valley - #36 up to 24

Speaking of effort and energy, Solt's motor only has a high gear. Leading her team to the Sweet 16 and averaging 20.2 PPG will get you some love in the player rankings. Solt dropped 28 and 31 in consecutive wins over heavyweights Berthoud and Roosevelt. She followed that up with a busy summer leading BC Denver to multiple tournament championships. She's an example for every undersized 5th or 6th grader what you can accomplish when you can handle the ball at game speed with your eyes up.

- Skyview - #33 up to 25

After 962 career points in a dominant three years at The Academy, Espinosa lands at Skyview to finish her high school career, catapulting the Wolverines into the top tier in 4A. As a junior, Espinosa put up crazy numbers: 18.2 PPG, 5.4 APG, and her 6.2 SPG were 8th in the state in all classes combined. You might say that's easy to do in 3A but she also scored 28 against a top 4A team this summer and is now knocking down threes at a higher rate than ever before to compliment her ability to ruthlessly attack the basket. A career A/T ratio of 2:1 earn Espinosa respect as the complete package.

- Green Mountain - #38 up to 27

As the dominant inside force on the top B&B Basketball Academy team this summer, Oaster is polished with her footwork, poised with her passing, and punishing with her defense. She defends both inside and the perimeter so aggressively that normally solid prospects look lost when they try to attack her. She's being rewarded with a growing list of collegiate interest and her first offers coming in.

- Valor Christian - #37 up to 29

Hilliard's prospects are likely to rise during her senior year as she fills what could be a starting role for the returning 5A champions. She had a big year on the club circuit showing off her versatility for BC Denver and ability to create offense, whether with points or assists. A positive A/T ratio and deadly free throw shooting make her one to pay attention to this year.

- Holy Family - #39 up to 31

A 6'3", hard working, talented prospect who's always in the gym is bound to move up. Dooley makes both her Holy Family team and her BC Denver team better by controlling the paint on both ends. She rolls hard to the rim creating impossible matchups against switching defenses. Dooley will play a showcase role for the Tigers in her senior year.

- Windsor - #43 up to 37

Speed and aggressiveness are always valued in player rankings. Backhaus is earning hers the hard way. At 5'9" and not a huge physical presence, she just balls out and out-hustles her way up the list. Solid on the offensive glass, Backhaus is a workhorse who ups the intensity level of any game and probably any practice.

- Berthoud - #52 up to 39

A big riser for the Spartans, Padilla had a huge season showing she can shoot and score consistently in a big role while drawing a ton of attention. She hit 39% of her threes, scoring 15.9 PPG with 8.4 RPG and 2.0 APG. Dropping double digit scoring in thirteen straight games, Padilla averaged 1.3 points per shot on the season.

- St. Mary's - #51 up to 45

Hartman does a heck of a lot with a 5'6" frame. The top player on a top 13-3 team, she led the Pirates in scoring (19.8 PPG), rebounds (8.1 RPG), assists (2.3 APG), steals (3.3 SPG), three-point shooting (44.8%), AND points-per-shot (1.3 PPS). She's a run-on sentence of domination for St. Mary's.

- Holyoke - #53 up to 47

I recently watched a Holyoke matchup from last season and it makes sense to see Vieselmeyer move up the list. She certainly can play and has a ton of upside, not just because she's 6'2" but because she runs the floor well and has great body control to be able to step through and finish with either hand. She had a big one in 2021, with 20.9 PPG and 11.5 RPG. Thoughts to hack-a-shaq may be tempting but Vieselmeyer is too good at the line (78%).

- Denver West - #91 up to 85

A high-impact season by Trevino didn't go unnoticed as she climbs up to #85. The 5'3" speedster put up 18.8 PPG mixing in three-point shooting with attacking the basket, while pressuring defenses for 3.5 SPG.

- Heritage Christian - #100 up to 86

Siemers shot fourteen spots up the list with a very high flying season for the Eagles. Her 21.4 PPG and 7.0 RPG jump off the page, but keep looking and you'll see 4.9 APG (5th in CO, all classes) and 4.5 SPG (15th in CO, all classes). She makes her team so much better and I wouldn't be surprised to see her keep rising.

Watch next week for our article on top newcomers to the rankings!