Intriguing Scorers in the 2024 Class
While getting situated in the Iowa scene, I’d like to look at what the rising juniors did a season ago. I want to begin with the kids who managed to score in bunches in the 2024 class. So today, I’ll…
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Continue ReadingWhile getting situated in the Iowa scene, I’d like to look at what the rising juniors did a season ago. I want to begin with the kids who managed to score in bunches in the 2024 class. So today, I’ll look at some scorers who impressed me in their way as I go back and look through some film of these kids.
Payton Petersen Payton Petersen 5'10" | C Dike-New Hartford | 2024 State IA
The undersized forward did an excellent job owning her space and doing her work early. Petersen also uses quick feet to beat her matchup in the paint. She’s a kid who understands her strengths and weaknesses and plays in a way that maximizes what she does best to help her team win games. Scoring nearly 500 points in a season is difficult. She made it look easy, shooting over 60% from the field and rebounding like crazy. She almost accumulated as many offensive rebounds (120) as defensive rebounds (125). That means she created at least 120 extra possessions for her team this season.
Ava Locklear
The Clear Creek Amana forward has an excellent combination of strength and speed that you don’t find often. She is tough in the paint and can get her shot off through contact but also jump passing lanes on the other end of the floor. Locklear is also efficient with her post touches and makes quick, decisive moves to get around her defender.
Kamryn Kurt Kamryn Kurt 5'6" | PG North Linn | 2024 State IA
Kurt had the highest 3-point% of sophomores who took more than five 3s per game last season, and it’s easy to see why that is the case. She does a good job feeling out the defense and getting herself into open pockets of space on the floor, and creating her shot off the dribble. She has a little hesitation dribble that defenders must respect, and when they do, all it does is give her an open 3-point attempt which she converted at a 44% clip last season. It’s nothing flashy, but it’s effective.
Yazmeen Whitsitt Yazmeen Whitsitt 5'8" | PG Decorah | 2024 State IA
The Decorah guard has a competitive but composed demeanor about her game. She looks like she doesn’t break a sweat because Whitsitt isn’t out of control, but she knows what needs to get done. Her aurora comes across as quiet confidence, and I like it. She has shown she can score at the high school level efficiently. She’s shot the 3-ball well in high school, and her mechanics look rock solid, so I assume that’ll be something she continues to excel at through the next level.