Junior Centers Ready to Shine in 2024

INTRODUCTION: Arizona has a number of outstanding junior centers that are ready to come into their own in 2024. Here's a look at five of them.   [player_tooltip player_id='205683' first='Sydnie' last='Taylor'] - is a 5-11 junior center who plays for both Desert Vista High School and her club team, Arizona Elite. Her Desert Vista team won the 2023 AIA State Championship last March, beating Millennium in the title game, 63-37. Sydnie has played in a total of 64 games during her three-year career at Desert Vista, combining junior varsity and varsity competition. The Lady Thunder are coached by Dave Williams. Desert Vista finished the season 28-3 and was undefeated at home, 14-0. In the final tally, ESPN ranked the Lady Thunder as the 18th-best team in the nation.   EVALUATION: Sydnie is a work in progress as she gets ready for her senior year at Desert Vista. She has shown improvement in her offensive game, both as a shooter and ball handler. She is also a tenacious defender with a long wingspan which helps cause deflections and turnovers. With many players returning, the Lady Thunder should make another long run in the 2024 playoffs.   [player_tooltip player_id='205662' first='Katelyn' last='Best'] - is a 6-3 junior center who plays for Phoenix Prep and her club team, Arizona Elite. She also has a 4.40 GPA. One scout commented on her game: "She is ready to explode on the recruiting scene. She can score from anywhere on the floor and is highly skilled around the basket." Another scout had this to say: "She is a bonafide D1 prospect that is an elite scorer and tremendous defender and rebounder." Katelyn is a transfer from Northwest Christian. While there, she averaged a double-double during the 2021-2022 season: 17. 3 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks per game. As a freshman, she averaged 13.4 points and 6.1 rebounds. Katelyn dominates in 3A competition and, according to AZCentral, she is one of the 50 best high school players in the state.   EVALUATION: Katelyn will be heavily recruited as she gets ready for her senior year at Phoenix Prep. A transfer from Northwest Christian, she averaged a double-double there as a sophomore. She is highly skilled as both an offensive and defensive player as well as being an outstanding rebounder and shot-blocker. Katelyn and her teammates should have a very successful year in 2023-24.   [player_tooltip player_id='605055' first='Rachel' last='Roderick'] - is a 6-3 junior center for both Sedona Red Rock High School and her club team, Arizona Elite. She had a number of double-doubles this season and has a reputation for being an outstanding shot-blocker. Sedona Red Rock lost to Pima, 38-36, in last season's 2A title game. She is the number one ranked player at her position as a junior in the state. As a junior, Rachel was named first-team all-state center and also won the award as 2A Metro Player of the Year in 2022.   EVALUATION: Rachel is an outstanding all-around player and clearly will be playing at the college level in 2024-25. She averages a double-double and plays intense defense while guarding the rim with her long wingspan. She specializes in steals, deflections, and blocked shots. The only thing alluding her is a state title. Red Rock lost in the 2A title game when she was a freshman and sophomore. Maybe the third time - in 2024 - is the charm.   [player_tooltip player_id='588549' first='Adeang' last='Ring'] - is a 6-5 junior center for Bella Vista Prep. Through the 2023 Grind Session, Bella Vista Prep won the World Championship. She was named Most Improved Player and was selected to the All-Grind first team in 2023. Her team beat Phoenix Prep for the title, 77-65 with Adeang scoring 15 points along with 15 rebounds in the title game. She has already received double-digit scholarship offers including Boston College, Mississippi State, Nebraska Omaha, UC Riverside, Sacramento State, UC Santa Barbara, and UNLV. A scout commented on her game: "She's been an under-the-radar player and has been a key piece to the Lady Bears offense. She ranks in the top five in many categories including first in total points, second in points per game and total rebounds, and third in field goal percentage." She averaged 10 points per game and 8.2 rebounds.   EVALUATION: Adeang has improved her overall game every year of high school and next year she should have a breakout season. She guards the offensive and defensive rims superbly and has the potential to be an outstanding college player. She already has had double-digit offers from major colleges. Bella Vista Prep won the Grind Session World Championship in 2023 with Adeang contributing 15 points and 15 rebounds in the title game.   [player_tooltip player_id='586382' first='Emma' last='Dasovich'] - is a 6-1 junior for Valley Vista High School and West Coast Elite, her club team. In 32 games last season, she averaged 11.2 points per game to go along with 5.8 rebounds a game. Valley Vista beat Dobson, 48-46, in the state title game, their fourth straight championship and fifth in six years (Conference 6A). In January, Emma was nominated for the WaFd Bank Arizona High School Girls Basketball Player of the Week. In a 68-39 win over West Point, she contributed 20 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a blocked shot.   EVALUATION: Emma has developed into a very fluid all-around player and is adept at both ends of the court. Valley Vista won their fourth straight state championship in 2023 and Emma's team has never lost a tournament game. She is an outstanding perimeter shooter and her wide wingspan proves dangerous for her opponents. With a cast of many players returning next season, the Monsoon should be the odds-on favorite for another championship in 2024.

INTRODUCTION: Arizona has a number of outstanding junior centers that are ready to come into their own in 2024. Here's a look at five of them.