Class of 2023 – Names to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While working on this Class of 2023 update ranking, hours of film, calls, and in-person evaluations were made. Names some of you may know and some you have not heard of. The first one is [player_tooltip player_id='330688' first='Shauna' last='Fletcher'] from Tanner. I had heard the name but this summer I had the opportunity to watch her play and when I say this is one of those "Hard-Hat" players, Shauna is one. She out-rebounded her opponent at least 4 to 1; boxing out to get that ball and put it back or securing on the defensive side. Shauna runs the floor very well and makes herself available to score from the layout to that short corner jumper. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":490031,"width":391,"height":257,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/08/Taylor-Smith-scaled-crop-2451x1609-1661906864.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-490031" width="391" height="257"/><figcaption>Photo: Carlos Mims None</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another quiet under-the-radar player; [player_tooltip player_id='489292' first='Taylor' last='Smith'] from Briarwood Christian School stands at 6-1 and is a very fundamentally sound player and she is one of my DNA players in this state. With that lanky body and long arms, Taylor always seems to be in the right place at the right time; she will garner in those rebounds, keep the ball up high and get those OR buckets. She will defend with those same long arms, active feet, and basketball IQ acquired from hours in the gym with her dad, who has coached on all levels including college and professional. Taylor is that diamond in the rough, with tremendous upside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":490080,"width":391,"height":257,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/08/Haley-Russell-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1661908401.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-490080" width="391" height="257"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Number 34 [player_tooltip player_id='330689' first='Haley' last='Russell'], another one of my DNA players; dad is a former college football player, and is also a very strong and smart player. I have watched Haley play since 7th grade and she has always been a dominant player on the floor. Haley is another player that can read the court and will make things happen. She can score from a layup to a 3-pointer and defensively she is extremely active in denying, and reading passing lanes, and staying aware of what is going on at all times on the court. A very high basketball IQ. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":335183,"width":278,"height":418,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/134-Alexus-Neal.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-335183" width="278" height="418"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='393698' first='Alexis' last='Neal'] from Headland comes in at number 31, and when I say she is a beast, either get tough with her or get out of her way. I first saw her at a PGH Top 250 Expo in Georgia and I was immediately impressed. She is a rebounding machine on both ends of the court and can bring it up the floor when and if needed. Alexis is a powerful scorer and will put her team on her back in order to get that win. This is 6 foot of power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are just getting started when talking about this class of 2023. Stay tuned for our article about the Under The Radar players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->