Arizona’s Returning Steals Leaders for 2024

INTRODUCTION: Arizona’s top returning steals leaders are all freshmen! Here’s a look at the best five.

ZOEY POZEN – is a freshman point guard for Rancho Solano Prep in Scottsdale who led the state of Arizona in steals last season, averaging 6.4 per game. Her steals-to-turnover ratio was 1.16. Last winter she averaged 17.1 points a game to go along with 3.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists. She had a career-high 35 points in a game against North Valley Christian Academy in December. In another game, she hit three 3-pointers against SCA. She was also a member of the Sports 360 All-Academic Girls Basketball Team with a weighted GPA of 4.01. She was named to the 2A All-Region second team.

EVALUATION: Only a freshman and already the team’s leading scorer, Zoey should have an outstanding career at Rancho Solano Prep. She led the state of Arizona in steals as well as averaging over 17 points per game. She has developed into an outstanding shooter and is a demon on defense. The fact that she averaged 6.4 steals per game speaks for itself. Even as a freshman, she has become a team leader.

SHANIELLE MALLORY – is a 5-4 freshman who plays both point and shooting guard for Kellis High School in Glendale. She finished second in the state last season in steals, averaging 5.6 per game. Her steal-to-turnover ratio was 1.58. In 23 games, she averaged 19.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. Kellis finished 20-5 overall and 9-3 in their section. She was awarded Player of the Game by Max Preps on November 30 against Buckeye High School, a 59-41 win. In late January she was nominated by AZCentral as Arisona’s High School Basketball Player of the Week. As a 12-year-old, during a girls’ basketball camp, she was consistently hitting jumpers from NBA range and a YouTube video was produced. She is considered one of Arizona’s most outstanding freshmen.

EVALUATION: Shanielle, only a freshman, had an outstanding season for Kellis High School. She finished second in the state in steals, averaging 5.6 per game. She is both a consistent scorer and ball-handler, averaging close to 20 points per game. She was also a child basketball prodigy as a 12-year-old and YouTube produced a video about her training skills. She is only going to improve during her next three years of high school and will then be ready to take the next step to play in college in 2026-27.

MAEVE MORGAN – is a freshman point guard for Scottdale Prep Academy who finished third in the state in steals, averaging 4.9 per game. She is also a member of the SPA soccer team. In 14 games she averaged 7.2 points per game and 4.7 rebounds. SPA finished the season with an overall 12-3 record and 6-1 in their division. Maeve had a double-double earlier in the season against Rancho Solano and had seven steals in a game against Tonopah Valley. She is a member of the Sports360AZ All-Academic Girls Basketball Team with a weighted GPA of 4.78.

EVALUATION: Maeve had a tremendous freshman season for SPA, averaging 4.9 steals per game and finishing third in the state in that category. She also averaged over seven points per game to go along with nearly five rebounds per contest. She is exceptionally quick on defense with great hands and outstanding anticipation. She is becoming a better shooter and ball-handler and should have a greatcareer at SPA.

TATIANA HARNESS – is a 5-3 freshman guard who plays for Leading Edge Academy. She finished fourth in the state in steals last season, averaging 4.8 per game. Her steals-to-turnover ratio was 1.26. In 24 games, she averaged 20,9 points per game along with 3.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds. She scored a career-high 42 points last January in a game against Valley Lutheran. LEA finished the season with an overall 20-10 record and 7-4 in their section. As a 14-year-old prodigy, YouTube produced a video on her dribbling and shooting skills.

EVALUATION: Tati is now a 15-year-old freshman that is getting better and better as an all-around player. She finished fourth in the state in steals, averaging 4.8 per game. As a 14-year-old, YouTube produced a video on her outstanding work ethic entitled, “No Days Off.” She has improved both her ball-handling and shooting skills and her quick hands make her an outstanding defensive player. She should have an outstanding career for the Lady Spartans.

NAYLISSA CHARLES – is a freshman wing for Coolidge High School who finished fifth in the state in steals last season, averaging 4.0 per game. Her steals-to-turnover ratio was 0.91. She was the leading scorer for the Lady Bears, averaging 12.2 points per game, and also led in rebounding, averaging 7.1 per contest. Coolidge finished with an overall 15-11 record and 8-3 in the 3A South Central Region. In one game, against Florence High School, she had eight steals. In two other games, against both Tolleson and Arete, she had four three-pointers.

EVALUATION: Naylissa finished fifth in the state in steals last season, averaging 4.0 per game. She was also, as a freshman, the leading scorer and rebounder for Coolidge. On defense, she has great anticipation and will often guard her opponent’s leading scorer. Naylissa has become a leader both on and off the court for the Lady Bears and possesses a tremendous work ethic.