August Company Pt. 1/4: Top Players in VT’s Class of 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm combing through the 802's top players in each class as we head into the shoulder season of hoops. Tap into the Class of 2024!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elyse MacDonough, 5'8 G - NY Havoc/Rice Memorial H.S. Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clinical to say the least, Elyse has been VT's top PG for the last couple years. Her sense of tempo is excellent and has the tools to score it at any level, make plays for others, and lead on both ends of the court with her championship mettle. Elyse is one who makes those around her better, competes with every ounce within her, and she's back to work the next day. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='579572' first='Hayden' last='Wilkins'], 5'8 G - Blueprint Basketball/St. Johnsbury Academy Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most lethal players with the ball in her hands, [player_tooltip player_id='579572' first='Hayden' last='Wilkins']. She's a sure-fire option in crunch time with her 3-level scoring, yet she's a balanced player who makes the winning play. A tough + smart defender and tracker of 50/50s, Wilkins leads by example with her effort and confidence on both sides of the ball. I've heard multiple coaches state she's their preseason GPOY, so there ya go. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496147' first='Kelli' last='Cieplicki'], 5'10 G/W - NY Havoc/Rice Memorial H.S. Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whatever you need, Kelli can provide. Cieplicki is an efficient playmaker + scorer and is an elite off-ball player with her cutting and screening. Moreover, she defends numerous positions, rebounds at a high clip, and takes care of the rock in transition and the halfcourt. The ultimate competitor with a game which is so well-rounded. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446534' first='Bianca' last='Williams'], 5'11 G/W - Lone Wolf Athletics/Essex H.S. Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A sizable guard, Bianca is a perimeter nightmare. Her balance of slashing and shooting is a tough cover, plus her movement off the ball is just as savvy. With her size and length, Williams can essentially cover all five positions, whether it's a PG 84x50 or a forward battling inside. A steady presence who's rarely rattled, Bianca brings exceptional versatility and consistency. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446539' first='Sydney' last='Perry'], 6'1 F - Lone Wolf Athletics/Windsor H.S. Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dominant around the paint, Perry leaves little to be desired. Sydney's a fiend for boards, and with her strength and pursuit of the ball, she's a double-digit rebounder any day. Her offensive game is flush with savvy footwork, tough finishes, and a jumper that's stretching into the mid-range. A true rock inside, Perry's paint isn't for the faint of heart. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446538' first='Samara' last='Ashooh'], 6'1 F - Lone Wolf Athletics/Champlain Valley Union H.S. Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can confidently say Samara is the most versatile forward around. Ashooh's dangerous from every hash mark on the lane, the short corner, mid-range, etc., with her jumper, passing, and post finishing. Plus, she's a competent decision maker on the perimeter with her passing senses, able to set-up others while drawing forwards out of the paint. Defensively, she's just as versatile. Tough!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->