Arizona High School Girls Leaders in Three-Point Shots

INTRODUCTION: Arizona has an outstanding array of three-point shooters. Here's a look at the top five in the state.   [player_tooltip player_id='339056' first MACKENZIE' last='NIELSEN'] - plays for Sunrise Mountain High School and leads all Arizona girls in three-point shots made. She has connected on 113 of 279 attempts and shot 41% from beyond the arc. Her average number of three-pointers per game. 4.7 is also first in the state. For the season, she averaged 19.3 points per game. She is 5-10, has a 4.0 GPA, and also plays for her club team, the Arizona Mustangs. According to Mackenzie's profile: "My coaches told me I'm a very skilled offensive player, have the potential to be an elite level shooter, and very coachable. I have been complimented on my basketball IQ, leadership skills, and attention to detail." She had seven threes in a recent game against Willow Canyon. Her scoring average has improved in each of her four varsity seasons: 3.5, 13.3, 14.0, and 19.3.   EVALUATION: Mackenzie has become an elite shooter, leading all Arizona girls in three-pointers made: 113. She has improved her ball-handling skills, leads the Sunrise Mountain fast break. and has become the team leader. In one game earlier in the season, she connected on seven three-point shots. Her defense has gotten more consistent and she will certainly be playing at the college level after she completes high school.   [player_tooltip player_id='208238' first='Madelynn' last='Muniz'] - is a 5-10 senior combo guard from Boulder Creek High School. She finished second in the state in three-pointers made, hitting on 104 of 264 or 39% and averaging 20.7 points per game. She averaged 4.3 three-pointers per game. She also plays for her club team, Arizona Select. From November of 2019 to February, 2023, Madelynn was selected as Player of the Game a total of 20 different times by Max Preps. She won the award at least once during all four of her varsity seasons. She is a transfer from PHH Prep in Phoenix.   EVALUATION: Madelynn is a skilled offensive player and an outstanding three-point shooter. She is only one of two players in the state that made more than 100 three-point shots in the 2022-23 season. She also runs the fast break, having improved her ball-handling skills. Madelynn also plays well in transition and just her presence - on both offense and defense - makes her teammates better players.   [player_tooltip player_id='549384' first='NARA last='KAIBARA'] - is a 5-5 combo guard for Phoenix Country Day. She ranks third in the state in three-pointers made, hitting 87 of 214 or 41%. She made an average of 3.0 three-pointers per game and averaged 12.5 points a game. PCD finished last season with the girls' 2A basketball title. Over her first three years on the varsity, Nara averaged 12.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Lady Eagles. She also has a 3.96 GPA. One scout commented on her game: "She is electric with the ball in her hands. Her ability to change direction on a dime makes her very difficult to defend." Nara has gone over 1,000 points in her career.   EVALUATION: Nara is a tremendous offensive player and has grown her complete game in each of her four varsity seasons. Her ability to change direction on offense has made her difficult to guard. As a defensive player, her anticipation has resulted in many steals, turnovers, and deflections. Phoenix Country Day has now won back-to-back state championships in both 2022 and 2023.   [player_tooltip player_id='599375' first='SARAH' last='KARNITZ'] - is a 5-5 freshman guard for Willow Canyon High School. She finished fourth in the state in connecting on three-point shots. She hit on 85 of 210 attempts, or an average of 40%. She averaged over three three-point field goals a game. For the season, she averaged 13.7 points per game. As a freshman, she was selected as Player of the Game on two different times in December by Max Preps. Willow Canyon plays in the 5A Northwest Region. Head Coach Brandon Scholtz is in his ninth season with the Wildcats. His thoughts on Sarah before the season: "She will be asked to step into a big offensive role for us this year and she is an exciting prospect to build on." She certainly delivered for the Wildcats in 2022-23.   EVALUATION: Sarah plays like an upperclassman, both offensively and defensively, even though she is a freshman. She has had the benefit of playing club basketball for years, competing in many tournaments across the country. It honed her skills for her first year on the varsity. She is an outstanding shooter and ranks fourth in the state in three-pointers made. Sarah is also deceptively fast on defense with outstanding hands. She will become a sophomore in the fall and should have a tremendous career at Willow Canyon.   GRACE HOWELL - is a combo guard for Arete Prep in Gilbert. She is currently fifth in the state in three-point shots, having made 84 of 209 or 40%. She averages making over three per game and her scoring average is 12.5 points per game. For two years the junior guard was faced with adversity in the form of a back brace doctors instructed her to wear 23 to 24 hours a day, She has scoliosis, a spinal condition that was diagnosed when Grace was in the eighth grade. For a two-year period, she would take off the brace, play a game, and then immediately put the brace back on. Her father, Jake, is the girls' basketball coach at Arete Prep. According to Coach Howell, " Grace has a natural touch and a good work ethic." A transfer from Mesquite High School, she is closing in one 1,000 career points.   EVALUATION: Grace is a natural shooter and ranks fifth in the state in making three-point shots. She is also a vocal team leader with a tremendous work ethic. She has been through incredible adversity, having been diagnosed with scoliosis, a spinal disorder. But she never gave up, although she needed to wear the brace most hours of each day. She would take it off just to play in a game. Grace is also a tough and gritty defender and always gives 100%.

INTRODUCTION: Arizona has an outstanding array of three-point shooters. Here's a look at the top five in the state.