Kentucky’s Early Season Stat Stuffers (Part 2)
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Since the state’s leaderboards were released a few weeks ago, there are multiple players who have found themselves in the top 50 in multiple statistical categories. While I can’t include all of those players in this article, I want to…
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Continue ReadingSince the state’s leaderboards were released a few weeks ago, there are multiple players who have found themselves in the top 50 in multiple statistical categories. While I can’t include all of those players in this article, I want to highlight some of the players that can currently be found in 3 different categories. So to kick off the New Year, let’s take a look at some of the players that have been absolutely stuffing the stat sheets so far. To preface this article, I want to explain that the KHSAA breaks down the leaderboards in 5 different individual statistical categories: Scoring (PPG), Field Goal Percentage (2’s and 3’s), Free Throw Percentage, 3-Point Field Goals (Average made per game), and Rebounding (RPG). You must have stat reports entered for a minimum number of games to be included on the leaderboards, so this doesn’t included every single player/team, but it does include a lot of players and teams.
Rachel Bush
Rachel Bush
Bush remains at the top of the scoring leaderboard after her first 12 games of her senior season, currently sitting at 10th (22.8 PPG). She is also tied for the 18th best free throw percentage (79.2%) and is 27th in rebounding (9.3 RPG). She is her team’s leader in nearly every statistical category and barely missed the top 50 for 3-point field goals as she is averaging 1.6 3-pointers per game. Bush is also shooting the ball at a 36.5% clip from deep. She can really fill up a stat sheet and has helped lead her team to a 7-5 record at the start of this season.
Filiatreau has had an excellent start to her final high school season. She’s averaging a double-double and has proven that she can score at all 3 levels, while also being a true 2-way player who can really alter shots around the rim. She is 9th in rebounding (11 RPG) and tied for 44th in scoring (16.7 PPG). Filiatreau also has the 25th best free throw percentage (76.6%). Despite being Bethlehem’s primary post player, she stretches the defense with her ability to knock down shots from deep and is actually shooting 35.5% from 3 on the season. She almost made the 3-point field goal leaderboard as well with her 1.7 per game average.
Mikyra Caudill
Mikyra Caudill
Caudill can really put the ball in the basket, but she brings so much more to the floor as well. She currently ranks 3rd on the scoring leaderboard with her 27.2 PPG, and she has a really impressive field goal percentage (52.2%), the 42nd best in the state. Despite being Powell County’s floor general, she also is 33rd on the rebounding leaderboard (9 RPG). Caudill is so quick. She can finish in creative ways around the basket and she can finish through contact. She has strong handles and an excellent shot. Caudill is shooting 42.9% from deep this season and 72.2% from the charity stripe, so she is barely outside of the top 50 for the 2 other statistical categories as well.
I love Isom’s overall game and I’m not surprised to see her name all over the state’s leaderboards because of how talented she is. She has strong handles and can bring the ball down the floor, but she’s also extremely effective playing off of the ball. She is currently tied at 23rd for scoring (18.6 PPG) and she’s tied for 33rd in free throw percentage (75%). Isom is a scoring threat at all 3 levels and has an excellent outside shot. She currently ranks 36th in 3-point field goals with her 2.1 per game average. Isom is shooting nearly 40% from deep on the season and continues to show how big of a scoring threat she truly is on top of all of the other things she brings to the floor.
Stewart has helped lead her team to a 11-4 record early on and is Muhlenberg County’s leading scorer and rebounder. As far as the leaderboards are concerned, she is tied for 19th in scoring (19.3 PPG) and 37th in rebounding (8.7 RPG). She also is tied for the 38th best free throw percentage at 74.6%. The lefty can knock down shots inside or outside of the perimeter and she can knock them down off of the dribble or catch. She has good length that she uses to drive around defenders and finish at the rim. Stewart makes good cuts and runs the floor well also.
Thomas is averaging a double-double throughout her first 12 games of the season. She’s clearly making the most of her senior season as all of her stats are spectacular. Thomas ranks 20th in rebounding (10 RPG) and is tied for 36th in scoring (17.1 PPG). She also is in the top 50 for free throw percentage at 73.3.% on the season. Thomas uses her length well to protect the rim and to grab rebounds. Despite being a forward, she has good handles and can score in a variety of ways. She crashes the boards strong and does a great job of grabbing offensive rebounds to get easy put-back baskets.
Gracie Borders
Gracie Borders
Borders is either leading her team or 2nd in every single statistical category which is impressive in itself. However, she also finds herself in the top 50 in 3 different categories for the state leaderboards. She currently ranks 10th in rebounding (10.9 RPG), is tied for 45th in free throw percentage (73.4%), and is 49th in scoring (16.4 PPG). Borders versatility really makes her a tough match-up. She does a ton of damage around the basket, but her handles are so strong that she has the ability to bring the ball down the floor as well. Borders is a 35% shooter from deep and is really a tough player all-around.
Harvel has been a stat stuffer, but she’s definitely started her senior season off on a high note. She has helped lead her Floyd Central team to a 10-4 record while leading them in scoring at 17.7 PPG which ranks 33rd best in the state. She also ranks 33rd in free throw percentage (75%) and is tied for 43rd in 3-point field goals (2 per game). Harvel is also shooting 36.4% from deep. She can obviously shoot the ball, but she can beat you off of the dribble in many different ways… pull-up jumpers, floaters, layups, etc. Harvel is also a good passer and an outstanding defender. She can really disrupt the opposing team’s offense and she can come up with a lot of steals in any given game.
Reichenbach is nearly averaging a double-double at the start of this season and she is more than capable of getting double-doubles in any game she plays in. She really crashes the boards hard and she works hard on both ends of the court. Reichenbach is tied for 27th in rebounding (9.3 RPG) and 36th in scoring (17.1 PPG). She also is in the top 50 for field goal percentage (51.3%). She is an excellent defender who can come up with blocks and steals. She scores most of her points inside of the perimeter, but she does have the ability to step out and knock down shots from 3.
Bolin is really tough to stop around the basket. She finishes well and can finish through contact. She is currently tied for the 34th best field goal percentage in the state (53.5%), 34th in rebounding (8.7 RPG), and 41st in scoring (16.8 PPG). Bolin uses her length to finish at the rim and over defenders. She posts strong and makes great cuts to get herself great looks. She finishes on both sides of the rim and can step out to knock down jump shots. Bolin is also a good defender. She can protect the rim well by keeping her arms straight up and she goes after rebounds strong.
Highlights
Bale is my one exception to this list as she is in the top 50 in 2 different categories, rather than 3, but I still want to include her because I was impressed by how she put goals in place for herself prior to the season starting and has worked hard to continuously meet those goals. For starters, she’s got the 15th best free throw percentage in the state (80%). However, the KHSAA pulls the stat reports at 3 AM, so these stats don’t include Taylor County’s most recent game which actually bumped her percentage up to 81.4%, which would be the 13th best in the state. Bale also ranks 34th in scoring at 17.6 PPG (now 17.7 PPG) and averages 1.6 made 3’s per game. She is shooting 35% from deep and has really been showing how much she can impact a game throughout the beginning of her sophomore season.