The Most Outstanding Power Forwards in the Class of 2024
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Arizona prep girls have an outstanding array of power forwards in the class of 2024. In fact, two are from the same high school – Desert Vista. Aniyah Riddell Aniyah Riddell 6'1" | PF Desert Vista | 2024 State AZ is…
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Continue ReadingArizona prep girls have an outstanding array of power forwards in the class of 2024. In fact, two are from the same high school – Desert Vista.
Aniyah Riddell Aniyah Riddell 6'1" | PF Desert Vista | 2024 State AZ is a six-foot power forward who plays for Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix as well as with Arizona Elite, her club team. Her coach, Rehema Stephens had high praise for Aniyah. “She is aggressive and strong with a ton of potential and has a high basketball IQ. She is a natural around the basket.” She averaged 14.7 points per game as a freshman to go along with 12.0 rebounds and 2.3 steals. Although the Lady Pride finished a disappointing 4-11 overall and 3-7 in their conference, Aniyal was selected as Player of the Game a total of ten times by Max Preps.
Aniyal also shot 49% from the floor. She led all 6A competition in double-doubles. In their last game of the season, Mountain Pointe lost to Desert Ridge High School although she had 21 points and 19 rebounds. She was selected first-team All-Region and was the MVP of the Lady Pride team. Now a sophomore, the sky is the limit for her and the Mountain Pointe girls basketball team.
Alicia Ibarra Alicia Ibarra 5'11" | PF Red Mountain | 2024 State AZ is a five-foot-eleven power forward for Red Mountain High School in Mesa. She also plays for her club team, NWT. The Lady Lions compete in the 6A East Valley Region and finished with a 6-11 overall record last year and only 3-7 in their conference. As a freshman, Alicia averaged 4.4 points per game and 3.7 rebounds. She is ranked as the 27th best player in the class of 2024.
Playing for NWT in 2020, Alicia and her teammates were junior high school girls’ champions. Since middle school, she has improved – both offensively and defensively – every year, and new coach Alex Munoz expects the Lady Lions to compete for a regional title in 2021-2022. Now a sophomore, Alicia and her teammates are ready for a breakout season.
Breanna Sommers Breanna Sommers 5'11" | PF Hamilton | 2024 State AZ is a five-foot-eleven power forward for Hamilton High School in Chandler. She also plays for her grassroots team, Arizona Elite 15U. As a freshman last season, she averaged 4.6 points per game and 3.8 rebounds. Hamilton lost to Valley Vista in the state championship game. She was selected as an ’Underclassman to Watch’ by the Daily Independent and was Player of the Game – as awarded by Max Preps – for her play against Sandra Day O’Connor High School in January.
Breanna competed in October’s Expo 250 Girls Tournament in Gilbert and was awarded All-Second Team honors. One scout commented on her game. “She is a natural scorer on all three levels and will not have to be coached to hustle. She portrayed great leadership ability and a very high skill set drawing attention in the gym. Not only can she bring the ball up the floor and pull up from deep but she also works well down low in the paint and is a master rebounder.” She also maintains a 4.6 GPA.
Katelyn Larney Katelyn Larney 5'9" | SF Desert Vista | 2024 State AZ is a five-foot-nine power forward for Desert Vista and NWT, her grassroots team. The Lady Thunder finished 12-5 overall and 7-3 in the 6A Central Division. Desert Vista lost to Westwood last season in the state championship game, 59-43. As a freshman, Kate averaged 5.5 points.per game, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.
Kate recently played in a H.O.O.P.S invitational in Oklahoma that honors Native Americans which was hosted by Elevate Your Game. She was selected to the All-Star Gold Division. Also, while playing in the Diamond Classic with NWT, Kate made the All-Tournament first team. With many players returning to the Desert Vista team, Kate and her teammates are ready for a long run in the 2022 tournament. By the way, Kate is also a member of the Lady Thunder softball team.