Some Of My Favorite Early Season Standouts
In this article:
A handful of kids have had excellent starts to the season, but today, there are a few kids I’d like to highlight. There are a few kids whose games I’ve admired for the past year, and their games fit what…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingA handful of kids have had excellent starts to the season, but today, there are a few kids I’d like to highlight. There are a few kids whose games I’ve admired for the past year, and their games fit what I admire in players.
There may not be a more impressive start to the season than Palmer’s had. The Iowa City wing is the No. 12 scorer in the state, has been consistent, and has been the kid that is No. 1 on the opposing team scouting report. She’s a confident kid and has gotten to her spot anytime over the first six games. She’s turned heads in her sophomore campaign and isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Amani Jenkins Amani Jenkins 6'2" | C Johnston | 2025 State IA
The Des Moines native is one of the most versatile 6-foot-2 kids I’ve seen over the past year. The 2025 post is athletic, skilled, and powerful. Jenkins has post moves she can use to score over either shoulder and understands how to use her body. Jenkins is one of the most intelligent post-players I’ve seen, and she doesn’t ever seem to be surprised or caught off guard in any situation. Her ability to read and react quickly will be something that’ll be more obvious as she gets into AAU again this summer.
Laynee Hogan Laynee Hogan 5'9" | PG East Buchanan | 2025 State IA
Small school kids are overlooked sometimes because of the competition level, but Hogan isn’t a guard who succeeds because she’s better than kids in 1A. Everything she does in 1A she did against scholarship-level kids in AAU. Hogan isn’t someone who relies on her athleticism to beat kids anywhere, the sophomore uses her physicality to go through kids who aren’t willing to take the hits Hogan is, and it’s fun to watch. Her toughness and physicality separate her from her peers in high school and AAU. Most kids won’t stay in front of her when she decides to attack.
The Ankeny Centennial guard is an elite-level athlete, and every time I’ve seen her play, that’s been abundantly clear. Athletes at Pratt’s level move differently than the other nine kids on the floor, and it’s hard to take your eyes off. On the open floor, Pratt does things that others can’t, offensively or defensively. There is no better place to score than transition offense, and Pratt is a kid who’ll maximize every opportunity her team has and work hard to limit the other team’s ability to score in transition.