Scout Notebook: 2023 Update

Conference season is in full swing and the class of 2023 has some players that are ready to step it up during conference season to lead their team to a state title. Here are some players from the class of 2023 that is playing well early in January. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="331413" first="Carlee" last="Casteel"] | Wing | 2023 | Rogers Heritage High School</strong> Carlee is a solid all-around offensive player. She can make the catch and shoot three-pointer, which forces the defense to close out hard. That hard closeout allows Carlee to be able to attack off the catch and get in the lane to make plays. She also has the ability to finish those plays herself in traffic. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="304734" first="Jenna" last="Lawrence"] | Forward | 2023 | Farmington High School</strong> <div> <div>Jenna has the length and skill to play inside and outside. When on the perimeter she can make the catch and shoot three-pointer or attack in a straight line off the catch to get to the rim. When playing low she uses her size and length to shoot over the smaller defenders. Defensively she also uses her length to her advantage when in the passing lanes. She easily gets deflections and steals.</div> </div> <div></div> <div><strong>Mia Smith | PG | 2023 | Little Rock Christian Academy</strong></div> <div></div> <div>I’ve seen Mia play a couple of times and I get more and more impressed with her each time. She handles pressure well and does a great job of changing speeds and direction to keep her defender off balance. She’s really good at pushing the ball in the break. Not with just her dribble, but with the pass. She immediately looks up the floor to make the pass ahead to players filling the lane. Mia is also a solid defender, can knock down open jumpers and finish around the rim.</div> <div></div> <div><strong>Kate Denton | Wing | 2023 | Little Rock Christian Academy</strong></div> <div></div> <div>Kate is a player that will keep the floor spread with her catch and shoot ability. She loves the three-ball and can knock them down with ease. She’s also efficient off the catch if she can’t get her three-ball off. Kate can attack in straight-line drives to the basket for the finish. She also has the strength to finish through contact.</div> <div></div> <div><strong>Karlie Cursh | PG | 2023 | Daradenelle High School</strong></div> <div></div> <div>Karlie is an athlete. She can handle the ball vs pressure. She doesn’t panic or rush but knows how to play quickly without being out of control. If you run a zone press you have to be careful, because she has the ability to get in the middle of the zone and make plays for other players. She’s a pass-first point guard that loves to get others involved.</div> <div></div> <div><strong>Alyssa McCarty | Wing | 2023 | Gentry High School</strong></div> <div></div> <div>Alyssa is a wing player that can attack off the bounce and get to the rim and finish. She plays with a lot of energy on both ends of the floor. You have to be in shape to play with her because she attacks the boards, constantly moves without the ball, and is not afraid to get on the floor for the loose basketball. She will also sacrifice her body to take charges.</div> <div></div> <div><strong>Riley Bryant | Forward | 2023 | Central Arkansas Christian </strong></div> <div></div> <div> <p class="p1">Riley played multiple positions. She can attack the defense off the bounce and get in positions on the court to make plays for others. She’s a solid ball-handler that can play inside or out. When there is penetration or pass to the post she gets in a position to be effective with a catch and shoot, drive, or extra pass.</p> </div>