Pre-Season Preview: Defensive Stoppers Part 2
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Rachel George IA #90 C #7 HEIGHT 5'11" POS C CLASS 2023 View Profile Rachel George State: Iowa School: Centerville Rachel George Rachel George 5’11” | C Centerville | 2023 State IA was a team leader on the floor for…
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Continue ReadingRachel George Rachel George 5’11” | C Centerville | 2023 State IA was a team leader on the floor for Centerville high school during the 21′-22′ year. The 6’0 forward posted a total of 92 blocks, giving her the #1 spot in the 3A class last season. Along with this key stat, she averaged 13.2 PPG on 43.5% shooting, 31% from three, and 11 RPG. George is a major reason that the Big Reds went 18-5 overall, 10-2 in conference and ended conference champions. She is a player who can change the dynamic of a game with how well she plays defense, being able to guard the 1-5 in switching situations or play through screens and get a stop on a bigger player. If the Big Reds can gel early on in the season, they will be a dangerous team to face this winter.
Molly Schafer
Molly Schafer
Getting to the free throw line because of a steal in the open court happens often in the game today, especially if Molly Schafer is the one playing defense. The hard working forward had her mark on every stat last season for the Rockets. Schafer was one of the state leaders in 3A in total steals on the season with 117, accompanied with that, she averaged 13.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.7 APG, and got to the free throw line 125 times. A great stat line for being a freshman last year. She will push to have an even better season this year individually, while helping her team put it all together so that they can make a big push once playoffs come around.
Haley Steffner Haley Steffner 5’8″ | PG Mediapolis | 2024 State IA is the one of the most fundamental guards throughout any class coming into her junior year for Mediapolis High School. The selfless distributor averaged 4.0 APG for the Bulldogs, while racking up 103 steals on the way to a 21-3 overall record, 15-1 in conference. With most of the shots of the team coming from the upper class last year I expect to see Haley have more of a scoring impact for her team this season even though she is one of their best passer. On her 166 shot attempts during the 21′-22′ season she shot 40% from the field, showing her efficiency and ability to score. Defensively she will look to repeat her year from last winter where she did well taking the ball from her opponent and converting that into buckets for her team.
Akuet Malek
Akuet Malek
Akuet Malek didn’t attempt to score to often during the 21′-22′ season with a bunch of more experienced scorers around her but she made a massive difference on the defensive side of the ball, blocking 126 shots to lead the state throughout any class in that category. Malek dominated within 12 feet of the hoop last year for the Knights, averaging 8.4 RPG, and 5.4 BPG. The 6’3 center is skilled in her capability of contesting straight up on her opponents shot, making them uncomfortable. She will attempt to lead Kuemper Catholic High School in search of a conference championship this upcoming season along with some other bench experience by her side.
Madison Hillman was the main option last season for Saint Ansger High School , averaging 15 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 1.8 AP, and leading the Saints to an overall 14-9 record, 10-6 in conference. The women in the middle causes problems around the basket for her opponent with her size and strength. Hillman blocked 92 shots last year while altering many others, this ranks her at #3 overall in 1A last season behind Audi Crooks of Bishop Garrigan and Lauren Wilson of Springville in this category. It will be a test this season as she comes back with light bench experience for Saint Ansger with aspirations of success.
Highlights
Carmine Ricke
Carmine Ricke
Carmine Ricke is an overall leader when she takes the floor. Being an efficient scorer, fundamental passer, and great teammate to everyone around her. Last season for Remsen St. Mary’s she was a complete competitor for the Hawks, passing out 114 assists and grabbing 143 steals, which ranked #1 in the state in steals throughout all classes. Ricke also shot the ball at a 48.5% rate, 40.3% from three to add to her accomplishments as a sophomore. She will jump into her junior year after working hard in the off-season in hopes to build on what she has previously done up to this point in her career for St. Mary’s, after leading them to a 21-2 overall record, 8-2 in conference last season.