Small School Prospects: 2026 Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among 3A and 2A programs, these freshmen have immediately stood out through their rookie seasons, namely from above average production. Hailing from small programs, these prospects are still highly intriguing within their own rights. Bright future ahead for these backcourt prospects, sky is certainly the limit.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='657244' first='Kya' last='Piel'] - Merino</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Piel will be a name worth knowing over the next few seasons, providing a foundation as a facilitator and shotmaker. The freshman lead guard is effectively controlling the pace, working to create scoring&nbsp; opportunities off the dribble. Piel already has the ability to knock down pull-up jumpers in the mid-range, alongside her 38% contributions from beyond the arc. She does a great job finding teammates no matter the circumstances, keeping her eyes up at all times. Through her freshman season with 23-4 Merino, Piel has put up 13.3 points, 6.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.2 steals per game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='566366' first='Kinley' last='Asp'] - Colorado Springs Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":620098,"width":238,"height":133,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/86-Kinley-Asp.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-620098" width="238" height="133" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Asp is a tall playmaker who see's above the defense, proving assertive setting up teammates. Standing right around 5'10, Asp has legitimate vision among any guard within the state, regardless of class. Showing promise navigating pick and roll, Asp has quite a few avenues in this context as playmaker and downhill scoring threat. Not to mention that Asp is already a consistent shooter when left open or firing over the contest when necessary.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='612929' first='Claire' last='Goodwin'] - Mancos</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":620111,"width":228,"height":127,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/36-Claire-Goodwin.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-620111" width="228" height="127" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The guard out of Southwest Colorado shows advanced footwork and an assertive style of play. Standing roughly 5'7, Goodwin shows promise as a physical driving threat who has multiple counters against the defense. Through her freshman season, Goodwin has posted 16 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.2 steals per game. She shows promise as a multi-level scoring threat, as her pull-up jumper shows real upside.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='471064' first='Tiana' last='Guzman'] - Timnath</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guzman is an effective scoring threat for Timnath, providing efficient shotmaking out to the three point line. The guard possesses a compact shot form along with substantial upside as a shotmaker. Not to mention she has flashed pull-up shooting in the mid-range, rising up in tight space around the defense. Through her freshman season with 11-12 Timnath, Guzman has posted 17 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 4.7 steals per game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='471062' first='Gretchen' last='Deines'] - Timnath</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":620103,"width":226,"height":126,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/37-Gretchen-Deines.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-620103" width="226" height="126" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deines shows legitimate upside as a dynamic perimeter scoring threat who is a smart decision maker off the dribble. The freshman guard does her part to facilitate the offense, getting downhill and kicking out to perimeter shooters. Deines has the ball secured through traffic, proving consistent facilitating when the defense collapses. Through her freshman season, Deines has put up 16 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 3.6 steals per game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='619187' first='Braeden' last='Johnson'] - Salida</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":504368,"width":206,"height":137,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/09/36-Braeden-Johnson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-504368" width="206" height="137" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Already a well known name within the class, Johnson has shown value as a perimeter shooter who still has untapped potential as a facilitator. Through her freshman season, the guard has posted 15.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 3.4 steals per game. There are few guards possessing her level of confidence in the jump shot, intriguing playstyle for her age. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->