Arizona’s Returning Assist Leaders for 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>INTRODUCTION:</strong> Four sophomores and a freshman comprise the top five returning assist leaders for 2024. Here's a profile on each one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SOPHIE MORALES</strong> - is a 5-8 sophomore for Seton Catholic who finished fourth in the state in assists last season, averaging 5.5 per game. Her assists-to-turnover ratio was 2.01. She also has a GPA of 4.0. She was named first-team All-Region as a sophomore and led the conference in assists. She also plays for her club team, Southwest Premiere. One scout commented on her game: "She is a player that can give you anything on any given night. She is a tremendous passer, who always puts the ball in the right spot and is a lights-out shooter from beyond the three-point line. Opposing defenses can not leave her open but they also cannot send double teams as she will always make the right pass." She was also named Defensive Player of the Year in the Desert Sky Region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>EVALUATION</strong>: Sophie, as a sophomore, finished fourth in the state in assists, averaging 5.5 per game. She has become an outstanding offensive player both in terms of scoring, making the right pass, and overall ball-handling. Her motor is always at 100% and she possesses a strong work ethic. She is both a vocal leader for Seton Catholic and their on-the-court leader as well. Sophie should have two more outstanding seasons for the Sentinels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AILA KAIBARA</strong> - is a sophomore at Phoenix Country Day who finished seventh in the state in assists last season, averaging 5.0 per game. Her assists-to-turnover ratio was 2.56. She was selected for the Honorable Mention category in last December's listing of the Elite Girls 50 in Arizona. In 31 games last year, Aila averaged 14.5 points per game, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.1 steals. PCD beat Pima, 54-43. in the 2A Championship game. Her team finished 29-2 and she scored 20 points in the title game. In her two years at PCD, she averaged 12.1 points per game to go along with 5.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists. She shot 50% from the floor as a sophomore and 40% on three-point attempts. She clearly led the Lady Riders' title run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>EVALUATION</strong>: Aila helped PCD to the 2A State Championship by scoring 20 points in the title game against Pima. An outstanding floor general and leader, she finished seventh in the state in assists, averaging 5.0 per contest. In addition to averaging 14.5 points per game, she also averaged 4.1 steals per game last season. She is a true leader for the Lady Riders both on and off the court. With many players back for 2023-24, PCD should be ready for another title run next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KIRIA AVILA ESCARCEGA</strong> - is a sophomore at Buckeye High School who finished eighth in the state in assists last season, averaging 5.0 per game. Her assists-to-turnover ratio was 1.08. Playing in Division 5A, Kiria had seven steals in a game against Willow Canyon. She averaged 6.5 points per game along with 4.9 rebounds and 3.7 steals. She also had a double-double in a game against Glendale High School. Buckeye finished with an overall 21-8 record and 12-0 in their region. In two full varsity seasons, a total of 34 games, she averaged 5.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. In mid-January, she was nominated for the WaFd Bank Arizona Girls Basketball Player of the Week. Buckeye beat Copper Canyon, 52-25, where Kiria had 20 points and 13 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>EVALUATION: </strong>Kiria just completed an outstanding sophomore season at Buckeye High School. Her specialties include handing out assists on offense and stealing the ball on defense. She finished eighth in the state in assists last winter, averaging 5.0 per game. She also averaged 3.7 steals a game and had a total of 13 in one game. She has a great work ethic and a motor that is always going at 100%. She should be ready for a great junior and senior year at Buckeye.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='558906' first='Kailyn' last='Holsey']</strong> - is a 5-8 sophomore point guard and wing For Coronado High School who finished tenth in the state in assists, averaging 5.0 per game. Her assist-to-turnover ratio was 0.72. She finished the season as 4A Black Canyon Defensive Player of the Year and was selected to the All-Region first team. Kailyn also has a GPA of 3.5. In 25 games, she averaged 9.4 points. 9.5 rebounds, 4.0 steals. As a freshman, she averaged 5.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.1 steals, and 2.5 assists. Over her first two years, Max Preps selected her as Player of the Game a total of 19 different times. A scout commented on her game: "It is extremely hard for her to find time to rest or come out of a game. She defends, runs the floor on both offense and defense and she rebounds and talks." Her father, Eric, is an assistant coach at Coronado.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>EVALUATION:</strong> Kailyn came into her own as a sophomore and was selected as Player of the Year. She is a natural leader with a great work ethic and her presence - on both offense and defense - makes her teammates better players. She runs the floor at both ends and finished tenth in the state in assists, averaging 5.0 per game. She is also a relentless defender and is only going to get better as she prepares for her junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SHANIELLE MALLORY</strong> - is a 5-4 point and shooting guard at Kellis High School and last season, as a freshman, finished eleventh in the state in assists, averaging 4.9 per game. Her assist-to-turnover ratio was 1.40. In 23 games, she averaged 19.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.6 steals. Playing in the Division 5A Northwest region, Kellis finished with an overall record of 20-5. Against Buckeye High School in a game last November, Shanielle was selected as Player of the Game by Max Preps and scored 27 points. As a 12-year-old child prodigy, she hit baskets from NBA range and was featured on a YouTube video. She was selected to the All-Second Team in her district and the Daily Independent honored her as one of the top freshmen in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>EVALUATION</strong>: While only a freshman, Shanielle plays like an experienced upperclassman. She averaged close to 20 points a game and finished eleventh in the state in assists, averaging 4.9 per game. As her first season on the Kellis varsity went on, she improved both her shooting and ball-handling skills. On defense, her lightning-quick hands result in turnovers, deflections, and steals. She averaged 5.6 steals per game last season. Getting ready for her sophomore year, Shanielle is only going to get better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img alt="" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->