What Sets Them Apart Series: Part III

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 high school year is coming to an end across the state, and many seniors are closing this chapter in their lives.&nbsp; It has been a joy to see these athletes compete at high levels during their careers, and they are going on to play in college.&nbsp; Let's take a look at some of the top athletes in our 2023 rankings, and examine what sets them apart that led to them gaining the focus of college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["116914"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":455728,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='116914' first='Mia' last='Xerras'] has been showing off her quick release from around the arc for her whole high school career.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe handles the ball well keeping her eyes peeled for the open spot or making the dish to her teammates.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eHer ability to shoot off the pass or off her own dribble is exceptional, and she plays with a high intensity the entire game.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe uses her IQ on defense knowing how to prevent her opponents from getting by her.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["116913"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":596369,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='116913' first='Kyla' last='Bryant'] is used to winning coming off back to back state championship seasons with Salisbury.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe has always been an exceptional ball handler, and she certainly left it all out on the court her senior season scoring on all levels, bringing energy to each game for her team, and making plays creating space for herself or her teammates.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eHer ability to see the court is apparent as she makes adjustments to get the perfect pass to her teammates to score some points.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["116908"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":414151,"_player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='116908' first='Sydney' last='Barker'] is a high motor point guard who knows how to move well with the ball making sharp passes and attacking the basket.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe works well pushing the tempo knowing how to catch her opponents off guard.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eHer quickness is difficult to keep up with as she blows by her defenders, and she's capable of making long passes up the court finding open teammates filling the lanes.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe can certainly score herself on all levels including showing off some nice finishes at the rim.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["558185"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='558185' first='Joelle' last='Davis'] is another sharp shooter on this list showing off an almost automatic sure bet every time she pulls up for a shot around the perimeter.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eIt doesn't matter if an opponent has been able to get a hand in her face or not.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe is constantly shifting finding the open areas, and she can handle the ball well getting to the hoop.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eHer ability to commit in other areas like grabbing rebounds and hustling after loose balls shows how much she has contributed to her team over the years.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["558196"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='558196' first='Audrey' last='Ericksen'] has been the leader for her high school team, especially her last season wanting to provide extra motivation to her teammates.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe is a strong presence in the paint showing off post moves and excellent footwork to get her some points.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe rebounds well on both ends, and she is quick making her decisions knowing if she needs to make a move to get the putback or kick out the ball to her outlet in order to get a fast break going.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe is sure to block shots on defense, too, and she anticipates passes grabbing steals to take the other direction.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["158300"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='158300' first='Zoey' last='Ward'] is another state champion on this list winning after an excellent season for Concord Academy.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe was certainly doing everything on the court making plays every time the ball was in her hands whether she attacked the basket or drew defenders away from her teammates for the dish.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe's tough inside, too, going after rebounds on both ends, and her versatility allows her to show off some post moves on the block for points there as well.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe is already used to doing everything her team needs ready to take it to the next level.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646a2cc4b2d6e"} /-->