Under the Radar Junior Rim Protectors for 2024

INTRODUCTION: Arizona has an outstanding supply of junior forwards that are rim protectors. Here's a look at five of them.   [player_tooltip player_id='530984' first='GLORIA' last='HINES'] - is a 5-10 junior power forward for both Mountain Ridge High School and her club team, Team Walker Elite. For the 2022-2023 season, she only averages 2.1 points per game and 3.9 rebounds. She had two three-pointers in a recent game against Mingus Union and another two three-pointers against Boulder Creek. In a game last season against Chaparral High School. Gloria had five rebounds and no turnovers. She is also a transfer from Deer Valley High School. She played on her club team in a tournament last April in Las Vegas entitled, " For the Love of the Game."   EVALUATION: Gloria is a work in progress that has shown steady improvements in her overall game. Her three-point shooting and ball-handling skills have both gotten better since her transfer to Mountain Ridge from Deer Valley. She is a superb defender and her energy level is always at 100%. Gloria's confidence as a player is growing game-by-game and her team should have two exciting seasons in 2023 and 2024.   [player_tooltip player_id='263398' first='TAMI' last='BALOGUN'] - is a 5-9 junior power forward for Agua Fria High School in Avondale. To date, she has played in 17 games in the 2022-23 season and is averaging 13.4 points per game, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.4 steals. Against Valley Christian High School in December, Tami had 26 points and eight rebounds. Against Dysart High School, also in December, she had a double-double: 14 points and 12 rebounds. For this season, she has had a total of five double-doubles. Through three and a half varsity seasons, a total of 59 games, Tami averaged 9.8 points a game along with 7.4 rebounds and 2.4 steals. In her career, she now has over 580 points. She plays in the tough 5A Desert West Division. Tami has a 4.00 unweighted GPA and was named last season's Agua Fria Athlete of the season for the winter.   EVALUATION: Tami improves her overall game every day and she has become a consistent shooter and defender. She has both size and touch around the rim and has become a steady rebounder on both the offensive and defensive glass. Her confidence has grown tremendously over the last two years and she definitely has the opportunity to play at the college level.   KATLYN LARNEY - is a 5-9 junior power forward who plays for Desert Vista High School and her club team, NWT. Through 17 games into the 2022-23 season, she is only averaging 1.2 points and 2.4 rebounds for a team that is currently 20-3. She had four rebounds and four steals in a game recently against Mesa High School. Over her first three and a half seasons on the varsity, a total of 59 games, she averaged 3.2 points and 2.7 rebounds. Katelyn is hitting, as a junior, 53% of her two-point field goals. While playing in the recent Diamond Classic with NWT, she made the All-Tournament first team. She is also a member of the DVHS softball team. With many of her teammates returning, the Lady Thunder should make a long run in the 2023 AIA State Tournament.   EVALUATION: Katelyn is a 5-9 power forward who has improved her offensive skills each season since her freshman year at Desert Vista. Her shooting, ball-handling, and driving-to-the-rim skills have increased dramatically. She has also become a more confident player and her rebounding skills - both on the offensive and defensive glass - has continued to improve. On defense, she is a completely tireless defender.   [player_tooltip player_id='205663' first='ALICIA' last='IBARRA'] - is a 5-11 junior power forward for both Red Mountain High School and her club team, NWT. Last season she averaged 5.3 points per game and 3.0 rebounds. As a freshman, she had a career-high 19 points in a loss to Tucson High School. In two full seasons, as a freshman and sophomore, Alicia in a total of 30 games, averaged 4.9 points and 3.3 rebounds. She recently transferred to Fountain Hills High School and to date (2022-2023) she is averaging 10.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. She had three baskets on fast breaks in a game against Maryvale. Alicia plays for the Lady Lions in the always competitive 6A East Valley Region.   EVALUATION: Alicia has improved her shooting skills, especially from beyond the arc. Now at Fountain Hills High School, she is ready for a breakout season with her teammates. Alicia has shown improvement in both her defense and rebounding. Now at FHHS, Alicia has doubled her rebounds per game average from when she played a Red Mountain. She has also become more of a vocal and team leader for the Lady Lions.   [player_tooltip player_id='263393' first='CAYCI' last='MUESSIG'] - is a 5-9 junior forward for Ridgeline Academy and the Arizona Rebels. her club team. She also has a 3.8 GPA. One scout had this to say about her game: "She is a great shooter and leader. When she plays guard, she is very physical and she has improved every time I see her play. She has a killer three-point shot." She represented herself very well last summer at the Biola Women's Camp. "She excelled at all phases of the game and displayed an elite basketball IQ, great court vision, and useful passing for assists." said a coach at the event. Another scout commented on her play in the state tournament: "She had a great championship tournament. Her scoring, assists, and leadership was the key to winning a State Title." As a freshman in 2021, she averaged 17.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 steals. She was selected by the Canyon Athletic Association as a Division 1 First-Team All-State player. In one game she lit it up against Paradise Valley Prep by scoring 27 points, having 10 rebounds, and nine assists. Her scoring included five three-point shots. She has been named Player of the Game five different times by Max Preps.   EVALUATION: Cayci is a 5-9 junior shooting and power forward who could really play any position on the floor. She is a physical player that will get into your face. Her perimeter shooting as well as her three-point shooting have improved significantly. Her leadership skills played a tremendous role in Ridgeline Academy's run for a State Championship. Cayci should have outstanding years as a junior and senior.

INTRODUCTION: Arizona has an outstanding supply of junior forwards that are rim protectors. Here's a look at five of them.