Best of the Best ’26s IV: Sophomore Seasons Loading

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this series, we are going in-depth on some the best 2026 players in the state as they enter their sophomore seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["513279"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"As a 6'1 wing, Espelet has one of the most diverse games in her class.  She missed much of last season with an injury and is flying under the radar heading to the season for Page.  What fans will see is a player that can score inside/out.  They can put her on the wing where she's has a beautiful three point stroke, or she she attack long closeouts seeking to get into the paint.  She has a diverse finishing package around the rim.  The team can also play through her in the post where she is comfortable with her back to the basket, or can step into the mid-post and use her face up game.  Underrated passer as well with great court vision.  Get to know her name now.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6526f0ed70907"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["636394"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Jones (6'2) is another in a long-line of 6'0-6'4 posts that Bartlett HS tends to churn out.  Jones is a high upside player with great length and athleticism.  She can score with her back to the basket, but her turn and face game is what's most intriguing about her.  You know at Bartlett she will be both battled test in practice playing vs some of the best bigs in the state, and she will also be playing for a coaching staff that knows how to develop players with her size.rnrnShe's a high motor kid that is dominant on the glass, and is relentless gaining extra possessions (and buckets) with offensive rebounds.  Very good weak side shot blocker, and takes pride in her D.  Once her offensive skill catches up with her defense, she can be one of the better posts in the state.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6526f0ed7096d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Logan Connaster","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Knox Catholic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Connaster is the type of player that can come of the bench and get hot in a hurry.  A diverse offensive scoring package that consists of getting to her spots in the mid-range and pulling straight up, finishing at the rim with either hand, she's excellent in transition, and is becoming a consistent 3pt threat.  On a state championship team loaded with talent, Connaster simply needs make the right play, and her buckets will come.  She's high-end defensive prospect as well, and should earn minutes for Knox Catholic as a valuable role player.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6526f0ed70a0a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='816649' first='Gracie' last='Butler']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Upperman HS","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Butler is one of the best stand-still shooters in the 2026 class.  On a team surrounded by talent, if Butler can simply come into games and knock down open shotsu002du002dthen she will play a valuable role.  Had a good summer learning how to attack off the bounce as teams will begin to u0022get into her air space,u0022 so she's going to have to learn how to attack closeouts and make the next right play.  But at this point in her career, if she can simply be a high percentage 3pt threat for Upperman, then her role is crucial to their succes.  She's also a competitor on the defensive end.  I expect her to star in her role this season with bigger and better things to come as she ages.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6526f0ed70a95"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["509171"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Spencer already had a breakout season last year for Lebanon, bringing home district Freshman of the Year honors and was Lebanon's 2nd leading scorer.  She's an interesting guard in that she can score points in bunches, but seems to let the action come to her.  She never seems to press the issue to get her buckets.  She plays with a high IQ, and is able to play with a savvy and confidence needed to lead a team and run an offense.  She's an unselfish passer, vocal leader, and defensive competitor.  All the intangibles are there....plus she's can get you 13-15 points a night without having to run plays for her.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6526f0ed70aec"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["518128"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Grasty is a sophomore PG that is going to be handed the keys to the car this upcoming season.  She's athletic, and very good ball handler; and the team will be counting on her to understand that getting the ball to [player_tooltip player_id='245357' first='Celeste' last='Reed'], [player_tooltip player_id='636393' first='Ava' last='Jones'], and Bella Winningham in u0022their spotsu0022 is what will make this team successful on the offensive end.  Once she understands that the quicker she get her teammates going offensively, the more it will open things up for Grasty to score the ball (which she can!).  With this group, she needs that old-school PG mentality of being in control of the offense, minimizing turnovers, and being a vocal leader on both ends.  If she can do this (and I think she will), then she will have a wonderful season. As the 4th scoring option she simply needs to let the game come to her, and the results will take care of themselves.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6526f0ed70b44"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='893861' first='Gracie' last='Clark']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"White County HS","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Really like this kid's potential to have a break out year.  She has very good athleticism and length, and is a very good role player that contributes to winning in a multitude of areas.  She's the type of player that fills the stat sheet by contributing in lots of areas.  Clark is the type of role player that can really impact winning.rnrnDefensively, she can be a game changer with her athleticism and length.  She can really give players fits as a defender.  Offensively, she's best attacking the rim and using her size as a finisher…which makes her great out in transition, but the paint can get clutter in the half court.  Thus, the key for her is going to be learning how to step out and consistently hit open shots.  If she can do that, and help alleviate pressure off Reed, Jones, Winningham, and Grasty, then she's primed for a breakout year as well.  I really like Clark's potential as a D2 player.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6526f0ed70bd4"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='816635' first='Kaegan' last='Young']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cascade High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"TTP '26","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Young is flying way under the radar after a tremendous summer with TTP '26.  This girl can flat out shoot it! Lanky, tough, and the ultimate teammate.  All the intangibles are there....plus....SHOOTER!  She has a chance to be a real difference maker for Cascade.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652e99fab1359"} /-->