Those Unsung Standouts
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Prep Girls Hoops Missouri takes a look at a group of players who are crucial to the success of their teams without having to score a lot of points. They do a lot of the important work that is necessary…
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Continue ReadingPrep Girls Hoops Missouri takes a look at a group of players who are crucial to the success of their teams without having to score a lot of points. They do a lot of the important work that is necessary but may not always get noticed. Their overall value isn’t measured by the stat sheet. Here is a list of 10 players that fall in that category.
Rayvin Jones (Vashon): A 5’8″ 2023 wing player who is quietly having an excellent season for the Wolverines, who are ranked No. 1 in the Class 4. She rebounds and plays very good defense while also having to go inside and battle taller players on a nightly basis. She has also shown that she can come up with a big steal, a big rebound and a big bucket in a key situation when her team needs it.
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Milli Mozee-Williams (South Shelby): A 5’9″ 2023 forward who was an important part of the Lady Cardinals’ run to the Class 3 state-championship game last season. The Culver-Stockton recruit is a good rebounder and defender who does all the little things well for her team. She is an excellent screener who is always moving and looking to get one of her teammates open. Her activity rate on the court is very high.
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Elyssa White Elyssa White 5'5" | CG Cardinal Ritter College Prep | 2023 MO (Cardinal Ritter): A 5’5″ 2023 point guard who is fierce competitor on the defensive end. The on-ball defensive pressure that she can provide is relentless and also tone-setting for the rest of the team to follow suit. She is also a very good rebounder for her size who is not afraid to go inside and battle taller players for boards, and she gets her share.
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Jacy Bray (Nixa): One of the most, if not the most unselfish acts that a player can make on the court is to take a charge. It’s not easy to constantly put your body in harms way to take the hit from an on-rushing player who’s driving to the basket. In all of the games that I watch, this 2023 guard probably does this more than any player that I’ve seen. She always gets herself in position to take the contact and draw the charge. That alone gets her on this list. She is also a very good ball handler and passer who keeps the offense moving.
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Malia Chievous (Rock Bridge): A talented 5’10” 2025 guard who has displayed the ability and the willingness to guard the opposing team’s best offensive player. She’s has very good athleticism and she’s tenacious on the defensive end with her high motor. She’s also a good secondary ball handler who can hit a 3-pointer when she’s left open.
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Dezi Williams (Carl Junction): A 5’9″ 2025 forward who plays that Swiss Army Knife role for one of the top Class 5 teams in the state. She has excellent athleticism and she plays with high energy at all times. She can handle the ball when needed and she can also rebound very well. She is active on the back line of the zone defense or she can also go on the perimeter and be disruptive as well. She can also get a bucket without needing to have a play run for her.
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Mya Minor (Union): A5’5″ 2025 guard who is a bundle of energy with her speed and quickness. She uses her quick hands to hawk the ball in her team’s full-court pressure defense. In the game that I watched, she was playing in the middle of the zone defense where she was battling bigger players for position with great intensity. What I also like about her is that she is willing to set screens to get her teammates open. She was hunting screens at every opportunity.
Harleigh Hodges Harleigh Hodges 6'2" | C Mansfield, MO | 2023 MO (Mansfield): A 6’2″ 2023 center who has an excellent presence inside at both ends of the court. She is capable of scoring, but she is also very content to rebounds, block shots, set solid screens and be very physical inside.
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Chloe Reed Chloe Reed 6'0" | SG Lutheran St Charles | 2025 State MO (Lutheran St. Charles): A 5’10” 2025 wing who is an excellent all-purpose player for one of the top Class 5 teams in the state. She has the height and length to impact the game at a number of spots on the floor. She is a factor on the boards with her size and she is also a good ball handler and decision maker. She’s always looking to push the ball up court. She is also capable of guarding multiple positions.
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Jo Brown (Salisbury): A 6’0″ 2026 forward who impressed me in the two games that I watched her as she was just a whirlwind of activity. Her offensive game is still a work in progress, but she makes herself a big factor because of her length and the high rate of activity that she plays with. She rebounds and she blocks shots and she’s getting on floor to get loose balls for her team. She also runs the court well. I love her constant effort.