‘23 Rankings-Newcomers: Is it in You?

Photo: Callie Bush

Bash Hudson

March 30, 2022 @ 01:34 PM

Let’s look at some newcomers cracking the ’23 rankings for the first time. #40 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-406458" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/9511B539-1777-47E2-B9CD-81EB595915D5-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1648663264-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="405376" first="Stella" last="Galanes"] | Hanover | 5’7’’| CG Galanes was a significant factor in Hanover bringing home the NHIAA D2 Championship with a big offensive performance in their 55-24 win vs. Bow. Galanes scored 19 points, and 11 of those came in a 4-minute stretch in the 2nd half that opened the game wide open. When Galanes starts to catch fire, she will shoot and make shots from anywhere. Her pull-up game in transition is hard to stop, and she has terrific speed and athleticism. Galanes was difficult to contain all winter as she finished 2nd in scoring in the Division, averaging nearly 20 points a game.   #57 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-406457" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/1C30D865-1BDA-4BAA-92BC-D4311E99CE3A-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1648663233-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="368408" first="Ciany" last="Conyers"] | Hoosac| 5’9’’| PG Conyers is a big strong guard who orchestrated the Hoosac offense all winter long. During the Nickerson Tournament back in December, I first saw Conyers and was impressed with her offensive game. Her change of direction and speeds helps her get to scoring spots, and Conyers uses her upper body strength well to power through defenders. I like her footwork and body control when attacking, and Conyers is a very good shooter from mid-long range. Conyers’ accuracy shooting off the dribble contested is what impresses me the most.   #68 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-406456" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/495CB0AD-A3C5-46B4-93F3-891C92743B61-scaled-crop-1706x1121-1648663201-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="399308" first="Jillian" last="Rogers"] | North Kingstown | 5’7’’ | CG The Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year averaged 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals for North Kingstown over the winter. She can fill up the scoring column, as she showed in a tournament game against Bay View, scoring 25 points. I like how Rogers attacks defenses. She asserts herself and is aggressive in getting to her spots. Rogers is money in the mid-range and makes scoring from 15-18 feet look effortless. It is also hard to ignore how aggressive she is on the glass, especially at her position.   #70 [player_tooltip player_id="295872" first="Mya" last="Zaccagnini"] | Holy Cross| 5’7’’| PG Holy Cross had an amazing year, and Zaccagnini was the catalyst behind it. She led her team to a CIAC Class M Title against the #2 seed Bacon Academy with a 20 point performance to cap off the undefeated season. Zaccagnini also eclipsed the 1000 point plateau. I like Zaccagnini’s energy and activity on both sides of the floor. She is an athletic defender and an excellent shooter off the dribble. She is confident in shooting while contested and is efficient from the field.   #80 [player_tooltip player_id="393021" first="Zoe" last="Bayer"] | Putnam Science| 5’8’’| CG I haven’t seen Bayer play in person, but she looks like a two-way monster from the film I have watched. I like her ball-hawking ability on defense and quick hands. Bayer moves well east to west and has the athleticism to stick with speedy guards. She is an excellent outside shooter and keeps the ball on a string when handling in the halfcourt. I like the pace she plays at and Bayer’s isolation package. I’m going to watch Bayer this spring because I think she can crack the top 50 by the June update.