Akeem’s Top Ten Mid-Season Stock Risers: Class of 2025
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We are at the halfway point of Girls High School Basketball in the state of Kentucky. This season has been action-packed and full of exciting competition. Now, if you ask me the Class of 2025 will be one of the…
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Continue ReadingWe are at the halfway point of Girls High School Basketball in the state of Kentucky. This season has been action-packed and full of exciting competition. Now, if you ask me the Class of 2025 will be one of the most historic recruiting classes ever in Kentucky, considering the level of talent and potential. So with a lot of players to choose from I have narrowed my list down to ten prospects that have been performing at a really high level and have carried their team throughout the 2022-2023 season so far.
Highlights
With her stature and level of skill there is no doubt that Marissa Green Marissa Green 6'3" | C Highlands | 2025 State KY can play at the next level. Through 10 games this season she is averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds leading the Bluebirds in both categories. Green is a big with good mechanics, fundamentals and footwork. She has really nice touch around the rim allowing her to score with the short jumper in the paint or with a low post turn around shot. Green is also a high level rebounder that makes the most of her put-back opportunities. She is a great rim protector as well, that always makes her presence known on the defensive end with her ability to block shots. Green recently recorded her 2nd career triple double with 16 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 blocks against Cincinnati’s Roger Bacon. (Photo Above)
Highlights
When you talk about the best shooters in the state of Kentucky, Niah Rhodes Niah Rhodes 5'7" | CG Frederick Douglass | 2025 State KY is sure to be the topic of discussion. She is having a superb sophomore season and just like last year she is carrying the load for the Lady Broncos. Rhodes is averaging 21.5 points per game while shooting 39.4% percent from three with 4.5 3 point field goals made per game. She has been active on the boards as well with 4.5 each game. Rhodes has also shown that she can get to rim, most of time if she if doesn’t score she ends up at the free throw line where she has shot an impressive 82.1% going 32 for 39 so far this season. Rhodes is leading the 11th Region in scoring and has become the newest member of Frederick Douglass’s 1000 point scoring club.
Hayden Barrier Hayden Barrier 5'6" | SG Montgomery County | 2024 State KY is having a phenomenal sophomore season and the Lady Indians are playing winning basketball. Barrier is a high volume shooter with endless range from beyond the arc. Her ability to consistently hit the three and score off the dribble makes her really hard to guard. She is averaging 17.8 points per game while shooting 33.9% from three. Barrier recently became a member of Montgomery County’s 1000th point club and at this rate I expect her to finish the season strong and possibly lead her team deep into the 10th region tournament.
With the way Ciara Byars Ciara Byars 6'2" | CG George Rogers Clark | 2025 State KY has been playing do not be surprised if GRC ends up in the KHSAA State Championship game this year. Byars is playing at an extremely high level and has really set the tone. She is the perfect fit for Robbie Graham’s run n gun style offense. Byars can attack the paint for points at the rim and step out and hit the three ball. She is leading GRC in points per game with 20.2 and rebounds with 7.8 per game. Her stock has been rising all season she also scored her 1000th point back at the White, Greer, Maggard Holiday Classic with her MVP performance.
The Lady Kittens are off to a red hot 10-3 start this season and the super sophomore Kenleigh Woods Kenleigh Woods 5'4" | PG Ashland Blazer | 2025 State KY has been the catalyst to their success. Woods is an excellent on-ball defender that makes ball handlers very uncomfortable when she’s guarding them. She causes multiple turnovers per game with her immense ball pressure and when she gets a steal she finishes at the other end with a layup in a flash. Woods is a good perimeter and three point shooter as well. She is averaging 18.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assist, and 2.4 steals per game. After a 70-40 win over Bath County expect her scoring average to increase a bit as she is coming off a 20 point outing.
Highlights
The sharpshooting Emilee Neese Emilee Neese 5'8" | SG Boyd County | 2025 State KY has been nothing short of impressive for Boyd County this season. The Lady Lions are off to a 11-3 start and look to carry this winning momentum into district play. Going back to my 64th District Preseason Prediction I still see Ashland vs Boyd County in the district championship game. But who will win? Is still up for debate at this point in the season. Neese is a knock down three point shooter with a pretty form and a quick release that makes it really difficult for defenders to get a hand in her face. She is putting up 16.8 points per game while hitting 2.7 threes per game.
If you want to watch a free three-point shooting clinic, you need to see Kinsley Molden Kinsley Molden 5'6" | SG Southwestern | 2025 State KY play. She’s a green light shooter and every shot she takes you expect it to go in. Molden doesn’t just jack up shots the whole game she takes shots that she is capable of making and they just happen to go in more times than not. She leads Southwestern in scoring with 17.1 points per game while making 36 out of 82 three point field goals that she had attempted this season. I expect Molden to be in the 20 point per game scoring range by the end of the season.
Even though Fleming County has a losing record at the midway point of the season, Ariana Adams Ariana Adams 6'2" | C Fleming County | 2025 State KY continues to produce for her team night in and night out. Adams is a post player with solid footwork and good touch around the rim. She’s been doing it all for the Lady Panthers averaging 18.3 points per game along with 7.4 rebounds. She has been very efficient from the free throw line shooting 69.9% making 32 of her 46 attempts this season. Adams has great upside and at the pace she has a chance to lead the 16th region in scoring this year.
Highlights
Juliana Frazee Juliana Frazee 6'1" | C Franklin County | 2025 State KY is an absolute force on the basketball court that plays with just the right amount of physicality and finesse. I like her ability to score around the rim, once she establishes deep post position she’s pretty much guaranteed to get a bucket. Frazee leads the the team in scoring with 11 points per game and rebounding with 7.4 per game. She’s also shooting 80% from the free throw line going 25 for 31. The Lady Flyers are playing excellent as a team and have multiple players scoring double figures each game. With a record of 13-3 they are in perfect position to repeat as 11th region champs this season.
Graves County is off to a terrific 12-3 start this season and the sensational sophomore guard Hannah Glisson Hannah Glisson 5'4" | PG Graves County | 2025 State KY is leading the charge. Glisson is a high energy player that competes hard on both ends of he floor. She is extremely active on the defensive end she deflects a lot of passes, that ultimately lead to steals. Glisson is a blur transition she always looks to push the pace to get a layup at the rim. She is leading the Lady Eagles in points per game with 14.8 and rebounds with 6.2. Her free throw percentage is just outstanding she is shooting 90% making 56 out of 62 attempts.