Class of 2026’s Stock-risers and Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='728706' first='Sophi' last='Hutchinson'], Spring Valley, SG, 5-8, So. (UR to 2) </strong>- Sophi jumped up from unranked to 2nd for good reason: She's outstanding on the defensive end. Yes. She's already got a firm grasp on the most important end of the floor. More than firm, really. Watch her against her defender and you can see the wheels spinning in her head, she's learning on the job. Her opponent's habits become second nature to her just five minutes into the game. You aren't going to do what you want to do against Sophi. She's going to use her body to direct you where she wants you to go. Offensively, she's already skilled at moving around the floor and finding ways to create her own shot. She's going to need to grow a few inches to overtake Cline at No. 1, but she's well on her way to being an ideal college prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570290' first='Kailee' last='Haymond'], East Fairmont, SG, 5-5, So. (24 to 6)</strong> - Haymond has all the makings of a spot-up shooter at the college level. She catches the ball in prime shooting position. She fires her shot off quickly and accurately. And, her follow through stays the same every time. She's definitely somewhat a defense cannot sleep on when she's on the floor. She really could become someone who stretches the floor just by being on the court. Her threat level only increases when you consider she's comfortable taking an opponent off the dribble and to the rim for a bucket. She'll be even deadlier once she learns more reliable ways to move without the basketball. I hope she grows a few more inches so coaches don't have to run plays specifically designed to get her open. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='640828' first='Lauren' last='Flanagan'], PHS, PG, 5-2, So. (35 to 8) -</strong> Flanagan may be small, but she sure is mighty on the basketball court. Nothing gets in her way, even her size. She does such a good job of adjusting to the height around her, that it really may be her best quality. She tailors her game to her opponent and then goes out and executes. Of course, it helps that she's as quick as all get out. Many defenders don't have a chance to set up against her on defense because she can blow by them for a bucket. I expect there may be a big year incoming for the Big Red. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='722414' first='Harmony' last='Mills'], Independence, SG, 5-7, So. (UR to 13)</strong> - Mills burst into the rankings after a freshman year where she led a very young Patriots' team in scoring. During her rise to prominence, she showed she's capable of putting the ball in the basket at a high clip against an assortment of different opponents. Even once she was targeted by defenses, the results still stood out night after night. Points came in a variety of different ways, and teams had little chance of stopping her. More impressively, she also led her team in rebounding in many of those contests. I have not actually seen Harmony play, but she's shown enough for me to be confident that she belongs in the top 15 of these rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='728708' first='Payten' last='Mackey'], Parkersburg South, SF, 5-9- So. (UR to 15)</strong> - Mackey presents an interesting study in player development. On one hand, she has the length needed to fill many different roles. On the other hand, she's still developing much of her game. But, the potential is there. She's not afraid to find her shot downlow or work on the block. She works well with her back to the basket and has some decent post moves. Her biggest strength is her stride. It throws a lot of people off as she covers ground, quickly. As she learns more ways to attack, and develops more of her game, her gait will become even more worrisome for opponents. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='728706' first='Sophi' last='Hutchinson'], Spring Valley; [player_tooltip player_id='728710' first='Della' last='Knight'], Hampshire; [player_tooltip player_id='728708' first='Payten' last='Mackey'], Parkersburg South; [player_tooltip player_id='722414' first='Harmony' last='Mills'], Independence; [player_tooltip player_id='728703' first='Emma' last='Smith'], Cabell Midland; [player_tooltip player_id='697832' first='Sadie' last='Adams'], Lincoln; [player_tooltip player_id='728704' first='Kendall' last='Anderson'], Hurricane; Fiona Matre, Wahama; [player_tooltip player_id='728694' first='Mackynzie' last='Casto'], Nitro; [player_tooltip player_id='728707' first='Brianna' last='Fox'], University; McKenna Evans, Tucker County; </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->