State Tournament Stock Risers: Class C & D

In tournaments, the best players are always the focal point and put in a position with the ball in their hands. In this article, we are exploring some underclassmen who performed well alongside their team’s top performers and could play pivotal roles on their team next year &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="291123" first="Lucy" last="Ghaifan"] | Grand Island Central | Jr | 6’1" GICC finished the season third in the state in Class C-1 and Ghaifan was a huge reason why. During the tournament, she averaged 13.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, leading her team in both categories in all three tournament games. Ghaifan has good size and her time in volleyball gives her great timing for rebounds and defending post entry passes. Look for Ghaifan to excel her senior year for the Crusaders. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13981902/lucy-ghaifan">https://www.hudl.com/profile/13981902/lucy-ghaifan</a> &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="279103" first="Sydney" last="Emanuel"] | North Bend Central | Jr | 5’7" During the regular season, Emanuel averaged 11.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, good for second on the team in both categories behind her sister Kaitlyn. During the tournament, Sydney  averaged 13.5 points per game during the first two rounds and showed her ability to get to the rim for easy buckets. With teams focusing on Kaitlyn, Sydney will get the opportunity to step up in a major way in the 2022-2023 season. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/sydney-emanuel/8diAs67FEeiAxKkkK9HIDg/default.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/sydney-emanuel/8diAs67FEeiAxKkkK9HIDg/default.htm</a> &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="298511" first="Chaney" last="Nelson"] | Oakland-Craig | Jr | 5’8" After a solid regular season averaging 15.6 points and 3 rebounds per game, Nelson continued the effort in the tournament averaging 15.3 points, around 3 rebounds and even around 3 assists per game. Nelson is a sharpshooter from range and can get after the ball when loose. Expanding her scoring inside the 3-point arc and getting others involved could make Chaney a top player in Class C-2 next year. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/chaney-nelson/sM1TDhUgEeqAzqREozo6lw/default.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/chaney-nelson/sM1TDhUgEeqAzqREozo6lw/default.htm</a> &nbsp; Mya Hedstrom | St. Mary’s | So | 5’9" Hedstrom had a strong tournament averaging 12 points and little more that 5 rebounds per game. Hedstrom is an excellent on ball defender who has active hands and plays passing lanes well which can lead to transition baskets. She excels at getting in the lane and drawing contact and with her size as a guard, she can make it difficult on opposing team defenders. Another year of development and growth, Hedstrom could be a force for St. Mary’s. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/mya-hedstrom/tz419hC8Nki03uE3GmVLbg/default.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/mya-hedstrom/tz419hC8Nki03uE3GmVLbg/default.htm</a>