Hoops4Harvest: Prospects Reaching New Heights Pt.4
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Part 4 concludes my Hoops4Harvest event coverage series. This final matchup featured the defending KHSAA State Champions Sacred Heart getting the win over the Division III State Champions in Ohio Purcell Marian. ZaKiyah Johnson KY #1 SF #1 HEIGHT 6'0"…
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Continue ReadingPart 4 concludes my Hoops4Harvest event coverage series. This final matchup featured the defending KHSAA State Champions Sacred Heart getting the win over the Division III State Champions in Ohio Purcell Marian.
Regardless of class ZaKiyah Johnson ZaKiyah Johnson 6'0" | SF Sacred Heart | 2025 State KY is the best overall prospect in the state of Kentucky. The #4 ESPN nationally ranked prospect by HoopGurlz, did nothing less than impress me at this event. Her all-around ability to score, defend, and facilitate is something rare to see. Johnson dropped 27 points, she really showed off her range hitting three triples from deep with a bulk of her points coming from buckets in transition. Her ability to run the point and get her teammates involved seem so natural to her she has an extremely high IQ on the court it is obvious she has played some high level basketball and received high level coaching. Johnson is an elite rebounder as well she crashed the boards on almost every possession giving an all out effort.
Highlights
Angelina Pelayo Angelina Pelayo 6'3" | C Sacred Heart | 2024 State KY was an absolute force in the interior her ability to score in the low post is next level. Once she established position in the paint Pelayo scored every time, the opposing team had no answer for her. Pelayo has incredible touch around the rim and she hit several shots from mid range as well shooting very consistent from the field. She finished the game with 16 points while grabbing a ton of rebounds on both ends of the floor.
Reagan Bender Reagan Bender 5'9" | SF Sacred Heart | 2024 State KY is arguably the most lethal three point shooter in Kentucky. She is a legit sniper if you ask me. Bender let off a barrage of long distance bombs scoring 26 points with 5 made three pointers. Watching her put on this shooting clinic was just amazing to witness. Bender’s elite shooting will be key when region play rolls around as the Valkyries look to repeat this season.
Dee Alexander has certain abilities and a level talent that you just don’t see quite often in girls basketball. She is the #2 nationally ranked player in the class of 2025 by HoopGurlz. Alexander is a superb athlete that truly plays above the rim. I have not witnessed a player that has alley-oop set plays ran for them but it makes sense with her type of athleticism. Dee stayed in attack mode getting down hill pushing the pace she was so hard to stop coming at defenders full speed in transition. Alexander was the top scorer in the entire event dropping 43 points.