Game-Changers: Athletes With Big Seasons Ahead
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As we continue to dive into our coverage of the state of Nebraska we have 5 more athletes who are ready to roll, and are looking to have big time winters this upcoming season for their perspective high school teams.…
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Continue ReadingAs we continue to dive into our coverage of the state of Nebraska we have 5 more athletes who are ready to roll, and are looking to have big time winters this upcoming season for their perspective high school teams. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!
Jayla Cleveland Jayla Cleveland 6'0" | PF Millard South | 2025 NE
Jayla Cleveland Jayla Cleveland 6'0" | PF Millard South | 2025 NE
Jayla Cleveland Jayla Cleveland 6’0″ | PF Millard South | 2025 NE is a player that I need to see play more this summer but from everything I have seen and heard thus far, Cleveland is a consistent producer with the ability to score and defend with the best of them. Cleveland, a 6FT power forward, is a an athlete with a high motor and big heart. She plays every possession with intent and knows what is going on. This spring she has been a consistent and efficient player for her Nebraska Attack team on both sides of the floor. I’m expecting some big numbers and games this winter by Cleveland. There is going to be a week stretch where I come to Nebraska just to watch high school ball for a few days, I’m definitely making it a priority to see Cleveland and her Millard South high school team compete. A team full of players that truly understand what it means to leave it all on the floor.
Taylor Hansen Taylor Hansen 5’10” | PF Millard West | 2024 State NE comes into her senior high school season with a chip on her shoulder. Hansen, a 6’0 small forward, has a lot of skill on the basketball court but her most impressive attribute that I’ve seen leading up to now, is her touch on the ball. Multiple times during games Hansen shows that she can catch at the three point line and let it fly, or put it on the ground and get to a mid-range area she likes, looking to finish with her patented floater/runner. When you account for Hansen’s size, skill, and touch on the ball, it’s not crazy to think she could produce at a college level somewhere out there. She works hard and is dedicated to the game. If she keeps up this hard work, it’s sure to prevail this high school season.
Ella Thornton Ella Thornton 5'11" | CG Fremont-Mills | 2026 IA
Ella Thornton Ella Thornton 5'11" | CG Fremont-Mills | 2026 IA
Ella Thornton Ella Thornton 5’11” | CG Fremont-Mills | 2026 IA finds herself in between two states, quite literally. Thornton attends Fremont Mills high school in Iowa but plays for the NE Attack program out of Nebraska. This makes a lot of sense if you understand the basketball AAU dynamic throughout the state of Iowa and its distances. Thornton, as a basketball player, is a shooting guard with some really nice form. She is always ready to catch and shoot, with the ability to handle and create for others if need be. As the years go on, I expect Thornton to become more and more of a “go-to” for her Fremont Mills program, while showing that she could produce at a level after high school. In the end, the main choice that Thornton might have to make could be between college basketball and college softball. Thornton is a promising young talent on the softball diamond as well as the basketball court and killing it this summer at the high school level across the state. Either way, whatever she ends up committing to, she is going to kill it.
Jaelynn Moody Jaelynn Moody 5'6" | PG Millard West | 2027 NE
Jaelynn Moody Jaelynn Moody 5'6" | PG Millard West | 2027 NE
Jaelynn Moody Jaelynn Moody 5’6″ | PG Millard West | 2027 NE will join up with Millard West high school this winter, in attempts to help the team have a great regular season, followed by a post season to remember. Moody is a quick guard with some promising skills. She can handle, distribute, and is a scrappy defender when it comes to that side of the ball. I expect over the next few years for Moody to make some big strides on the court, showing that she is one of the best players in this program. All the intangibles are there for herself, she just needs to go out and compete now. Something that I know won’t be a problem for herself as Moody is tenacious when it comes to sports and competing at any level.
Kylee Paben Kylee Paben 6’1″ | SF Millard West | 2026 State NE is an athlete that I have mentioned once already as being a player to know going into this fall. Paben, since my original article was posted, has excelled even more-so on the court, showing that she is a real game changer. She has length, speed, and skill when it comes to basketball and she displays that in every contest she plays in. She has the ability to catch and shoot from deep, put it on the floor and get to her spots for an easier bucket, or create for others off of the catch/dribble. This winter Millard West is going to have a squad. A group of girls who are used to playing competitive basketball at a high level. If they can all mesh together from the start, work on the right things, and not make it too complicated, they are going to have a season to remember for the 2023-2024 upcoming year.