HSSE Nationals High School Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school division featured some really competitive games and some individual players that showed some potential. There were a few players I saw over the weekend that could develop into collegiate athletes if they continue to develop. Let's look at the 5 top performers from the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465508' first='Rayleigh' last='Turner'] | Guard | United Arkansas | 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rayleigh's skills around the rim were impressive. Having a soft touch allows for precise finishes and scoring opportunities. Being athletic and making plays in transition highlights her ability to capitalize on fast-break situations. Rayleigh's proficiency in creating off the dribble for short jumpers showcases her skill in creating their own shot. She also demonstrated her ability to finish through traffic and against contact showed her toughness and determination as a scorer. Rayleigh's scoring ability and knack for finding ways to put points on the board make her a valuable asset on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Destry Steel | Guard | Arkansas Warriors | 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Destry is a versatile player with a nice offensive skill set. Being a three-point threat adds a valuable scoring dimension to her game. Her ability to attack closeouts effectively demonstrates the ability to exploit defensive gaps and create scoring opportunities. Being more than a three-point shooter, Destry also demonstrated the ability to make the mid-range jumper and use her ball handling skills to contribute as a playmaker. Destry's combination of shooting, attacking, and ball-handling skills makes her a well-rounded offensive threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1196099' first='Skylar' last='Percy'] | Point Guard | AR Lady Rebels | 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Skylar is a high energy point guard that has a good motor on both ends of the floor. She gives total effort whether she's pushing the ball on the fast break or chasing the ball down on defense. She's a pesky on ball defender that likes to disrupt the opposing point guards offensive flow with her quick feet and active hands. Offensively she's aggressive with her dribble looking for gaps in the defense to take advantage to make plays. Skylar was the heart of her Rebels team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1180760' first='Mia' last='Hopkins'] | Forward | AR Lady Rebels | 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mia had the most impressive weekend of all the players I saw. She played in multiple divisions and had a huge impact on the game. Her length was a problem for opposing offensive players. She could closeout quickly and with her long arms contest shots. Mia also had the agility to move quickly on the perimeter to stay with most guards again using her length to block or alter shots. Offensively she's a little raw, but the potential is there. She can score around the basket and she shoots the short jumper with confidence.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Avian Hill | Forward | Lady Shooter | 2024 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Avian had a strong presence on the court. Having a nose for the ball and rebounding well indicates their ability to track down rebounds and contribute to her team's possession game. Avian's ability to finish in traffic showcases her scoring ability in challenging situations. By being effective in fast break situations suggests that Avian can capitalize on opportunities to score quickly. Her athleticism further enhances her overall game and contributes to their effectiveness on both ends of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->