Select Seniors: Top 2023s from Winter Season
In this article:
Check out the top tier of 2023 hoopers out of VT! Sakoya Sweeney Sakoya Sweeney 5'6" | CG Lake Region | 2023 State NewE , 5’8 PG – Lake Region High School Class of 2023 One of VT’s most impactful…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingCheck out the top tier of 2023 hoopers out of VT!
Sakoya Sweeney Sakoya Sweeney 5'6" | CG Lake Region | 2023 State NewE , 5’8 PG – Lake Region High School Class of 2023
One of VT’s most impactful PG’s right here. Sweeney is a high-level leader and facilitator, able to control a game with her sense of tempo and offensive orchestration. Sakoya gets everyone involved yet can turn it up and score at all levels; her balance of these two roles is exceptional. Then defensively she’s always in communication whether on the ball or off. Her on ball defense is cunning yet measured and off the ball she knows how to disrupt actions. Sakoya’s skilled two-way game comes with the intangibles.
Shelby Companion Shelby Companion 5'6" | CG CVU | 2023 State NewE , 5’7 G – Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2023
A true combo-guard, I like Shelby at both the 1 and the 2 slot. Companion can facilitate the offense and handle ball pressure with ease, yet she’s become an exceptional off-ball player with her savvy passing, shooting, and slashing. She knocks down looks at all 3-levels, and her 3 ball has become quite smooth and consistent. Then on defense Shelby is a hawk. She’s constantly on the prowl when off the ball, reading ballhandlers and jumping passing lanes + disrupting actions. And on the ball her footwork is agile and fundamental. Companion’s ability to play the 1 or the 2 at a high level makes her truly versatile.
Cherise Shamp, 5’10 G/W – Mount Mansfield Union High School Class of 2023
Honestly, I don’t think Cherise can be boxed into a position. She defends 1-3 and can play the post, the wing, or facilitate on offense. Her footwork around the rim is exceptional, able to finish on either side of the cup as she finds cracks in the defense for lays and tons of FTs. Moreover, Shamp rebounds at a high rate and creates tons of second chance points + transition opportunities. And to add to that, Cherise loves to hawk the ball in the fullcourt or 3/4s court pressure where she can take offenses totally out of their game. A true swiss-army knife, Shamp is highly productive and it comes with a ton of grit.
Addison Hunter Addison Hunter 6'0" | PF Champlain Valley | 2023 State NewE , 6’1 F – Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2023
The D1 champ has all the tools. Addi is a 3-level scoring threat with a deep bag of post moves and counters with the face-up game to go with. Moreover, her facilitation out of the post creates a ton of offense from the inside out. Then defensively there’s no let up. She owns the paint with her combination of physicality, length, and anticipation. Plus, she’s mobile enough to move on the perimeter. Moreover, she rebounds at a high clip and makes a ton of plays to spark the break with her passing and coast-to-coast ability. Hunter is highly skilled and high IQ.
Allison Fullem, 6’1 F – Mount Mansfield Union High School Class of 2023
Alli is the epitome of the modern forward. She’s a strong 2-level scorer, yet she’s shown flashes of mid-range game too. Fullem has the physicality to play bully ball down low and finish at the cup, or she’ll happily get into ball screen situations where she can roll or pop out to 3. Defensively she guards the interior with strong post defense and quick help on drivers. Plus, her work on the glass is constant. And once the rock is secured, she can push in transition and make plays as a point-forward. Alli has that all-around game.
Cora Nadeau Cora Nadeau 5'9" | SG North Country | 2023 State NewE , 5’10 G/W – North Country Union High School Class of 2023
A scoring wing, Cora knows how to get to her spots. Nadeau has ultra confidence rising up at any level regardless of if it’s off the bounce or the catch. And when she gets in the second layer, she can be highly efficient. Moreover, she doesn’t need the ball to be effective as she has the know-how to exploit gaps in the defense and work her defender with cuts and screens. Then defensively, she’s quite versatile. Cora defend 2s and 3s, plus some 4s. She’s solid with on ball pressure but is most impactful off the ball as she gets in passing lanes. D2 champ right here.
Karsyn Bellomo, 5’7 PG – Rutland High School Class of 2023
The floor general led RHS to a Final Four appearance and an 18-2 regular season record, which I can honestly say I didn’t see coming. At the same time, I wasn’t surprised. With Karsyn’s ability to control the game on both ends, it’s obvious how RHS made their way to Patrick Gym. Bellomo balances her scoring and facilitating wisely, keeping everyone involved and the defense guessing. Tactful in her approach, she’s able to dissect defenses intuitively. Then on the defensive end, she grinds as hard as anyone with her ball pressure and off-ball help. Karsyn is always in the play and her poise in big moments is a sight to see.
Shelby Wells Shelby Wells 5'9" | SF State NewE , 5’9 G – Peoples Academy Class of 2023
Wells is a score-first guard who likes the ball in her hands. Shelby is able to manipulate defenders with her handle or with ball screens, creating space wisely for her jumper or to snake into the second layer. Wells shoots it well off the bounce and her range extends quite a ways beyond the arc. Moreover, she has the IQ to play off ball and can hurt defenses as she shoots gaps and knocks down shots. Defensively she guards 2s and 3s and is most disruptive off the ball where she anticipates actions and gets in passing lanes. Strong year from Shelby.