More Sophomores to Watch
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Today, I want to talk about other returning sophomores who’ll make an impact. The 2025 class possesses a handful of players who’ve already made waves on their teams. That said, let’s talk about some sophomores who could take a jump…
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Continue ReadingToday, I want to talk about other returning sophomores who’ll make an impact. The 2025 class possesses a handful of players who’ve already made waves on their teams. That said, let’s talk about some sophomores who could take a jump this season.
After winning a state title last season, I have every reason to believe that Stokes will come back even better this season. The Estherville Lincoln Center guard plays with a high basketball IQ. She doesn’t need to do anything flashy. She takes what the defense gives her. Stokes rarely tries to get downhill, going 100 miles per hour. She’s a pragmatic kid who waits to see where the gaps in the defense are and then attacks. There aren’t many kids who understand how to play with different speeds than Stokes.
Laynee Hogan Laynee Hogan 5'9" | PG East Buchanan | 2025 State IA
Most guards you see playing at a high level will beat kids off the dribble and fly up and down the floor. Hogan is a change of pace from the norm, and she makes it work. The East Buchanan guard is a powerful athlete who does damage inside or on the perimeter. I love how well the guard can exploit mismatches as a guard. If she feels she can overpower her initial defender, she’ll attack their hip and cause the defense to collapse. The Buccaneer also isn’t shy about taking jumpers when her opposition doesn’t close out aggressively.
The Dowling Catholic guard was a significant reason the Maroons played at the state tournament last year. The now sophomore is a rangy guard who uses all of her length to get shots off or use it on a crossover that covers a significant amount of ground. Zediker is also an excellent passer who knows where her teammates are when she’s on the floor. Every time I saw her play this summer, it felt like Zediker made at least one out of this world-level pass.
There aren’t many better examples of a combo guard than Crawford. The Cedar Falls guard seems comfortable in any situation she’s found herself in, and that’s incredible, given she’s only a sophomore now. I love her ability to make herself an outlet for kids who find themselves in trouble with the ball, and Crawford seems to turn that situation into points for her team more times than not. The Tiger makes everyone’s lives simple when you’re wearing the same jersey.