2024 Rankings Update: Top 5 Centers

White is committed to play at the University of Kentucky next season. She has excellent size and with the right pieces around her, she can be a true difference maker inside. Defensively, her length is a problem for opposing teams. If you take the ball inside, you have to recognize that there is a good chance your shot will be blocked or altered around the rim. On the other end of the court, she has great hands and can finish on both sides of the basket. With the players she’ll have around her at Butler, if she can stay healthy and out of foul trouble, the Bearettes have a great shot of making it to Rupp.

This may sound like a crazy statement to make, but I believe if Pelayo had less talent around her, everyone around the state would be talking about her. That being said, she is still a very well-respected player on the best team in the state. Opposing teams recognize her impact and know she is a key piece to the puzzle. When you really watch everything she brings to the court, her impact is huge. On top of bringing excellent length, she has great touch around the basket and can extend out to knock down jump shots. Not to mention, she makes some of the best passes I’ve seen from a big in a long time.

Baker is another player whose impact isn’t reflected in the stat sheet alone because of how much talent she has around her. That’s not to say her stats aren’t impressive too though. She consistently fights on both ends of the court and is a very mobile post player. She has good shot blocking instincts and rebounds strong. Baker also has some strong post moves she can turn to on the offensive end of the floor and what makes her an even tougher defensive assignment is her ability to elevate over defense to get shots off. She can also step out to knock down jumpers. I believe she is poised to have a very big senior year as she looks to lead Ryle back to the state tournament (the last time they won the regional tournament was 2020).

Hunt is a special talent. While she is an incredible basketball player, she actually is signed to play D1 volleyball at Washington next year. Those volleyball skills can be seen when you watch her play. She has some of the best timing you’ll see when it comes to blocking shots. She’s got good strength and elevation. One of the best post defenders in the state when you watch the way she can alter shots around the basket. Offensively, she is strong with the ball and has good touch. She can finish on both sides of the rim and also makes great passes out of the post. Covington Holy Cross has an excellent leader in Hunt.

When you watched Boyd County play in the past, you could always see Jordan’s potential. Last season, when Biggs was out with an injury, you saw beyond potential and a true illustration of how she can really take over games. She was the Lady Lions leading scorer and rebounder, averaging a double-double with 18.6 PPG and 11.7 RPG. Jordan is very long and active on both ends of the court. While she does most of her damage inside of the perimeter, she can step out and knock down 3’s and jump shots as well. She secures rebounds off of the rim and isn’t afraid to face physicality. Boyd County has a great shot of making some noise across the state this year and Jordan will be a major factor in their success.