What Sets Them Apart Series: Part III
In this article:
The 2023 high school year is coming to an end across the state, and many seniors are closing this chapter in their lives. It has been a joy to see these athletes compete at high levels during their careers, and…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 2023 high school year is coming to an end across the state, and many seniors are closing this chapter in their lives. 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. 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.
Mia Xerras Mia Xerras 5’6″ | CG Myers Park | 2023 State NC has been showing off her quick release from around the arc for her whole high school career. She handles the ball well keeping her eyes peeled for the open spot or making the dish to her teammates. Her ability to shoot off the pass or off her own dribble is exceptional, and she plays with a high intensity the entire game. She uses her IQ on defense knowing how to prevent her opponents from getting by her.
Kyla Bryant Kyla Bryant 5’8″ | CG Salisbury | 2023 State NC is used to winning coming off back to back state championship seasons with Salisbury. She 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. Her ability to see the court is apparent as she makes adjustments to get the perfect pass to her teammates to score some points.
Sydney Barker Sydney Barker 5’6″ | PG Jordan | 2023 State NC is a high motor point guard who knows how to move well with the ball making sharp passes and attacking the basket. She works well pushing the tempo knowing how to catch her opponents off guard. Her 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. She can certainly score herself on all levels including showing off some nice finishes at the rim.
Joelle Davis Joelle Davis 5’10” | SG NC GBB | 2023 State NC 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. It doesn’t matter if an opponent has been able to get a hand in her face or not. She is constantly shifting finding the open areas, and she can handle the ball well getting to the hoop. Her 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.
Audrey Ericksen Audrey Ericksen 6’0″ | SF Green Level | 2023 State NC has been the leader for her high school team, especially her last season wanting to provide extra motivation to her teammates. She is a strong presence in the paint showing off post moves and excellent footwork to get her some points. She 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. She is sure to block shots on defense, too, and she anticipates passes grabbing steals to take the other direction.
Zoey Ward Zoey Ward 5’11” | CG Concord Academy | 2023 State NC is another state champion on this list winning after an excellent season for Concord Academy. She 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. She’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. She is already used to doing everything her team needs ready to take it to the next level.