Gatorade POY Watchlist

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the season approaching, who are some players that we could see winning Gatorade Player of the Year at the end of the season? The following players have the potential to see both individual and team success at the highest level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='194406' first='Breona' last='Hurd'] (6'2, Senior, Waynesville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hurd is a potential favorite for the award in her senior season. Her statline is more than likely going to check the box so team success and a few other factors will be key. As a junior she averaged 27 PPG and 13 RPG. Being an older player will help build the case for Hurd. She was surely a candidate during the process last season and has an excellent shot to take the hardware in 2024.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='748092' first='Kendall' last='Puryear'] (6'2, Senior, Blue Springs South)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Puryear is one of the best players in the state regardless of class and has a chance to average in the ballpark of 20 PPG and 10 RPG based on last season and her recent development. Her ability to control the game on the interior makes her a key player to track for the recognition. I'm sure a lot of coaches would agree that she's the most difficult player they'll have to scout for this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='202412' first='Allie' last='Turner'] (5'8, Senior, John Burroughs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turner plays for a loaded team but remains the undisputed leader and scorer. She averaged 16.3 PPG last season and will more than likely have her team ready for a deep playoff run. The Gonzaga commit is one of the more dynamic players in the state and a possible sleeper for this award in her final season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='302779' first='Jordan' last='Speiser'] (6'2, Junior, Lutheran St. Charles)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speiser is one of the best in the state and has a chance to have great production for her third year in a row. Not only does she have great skills, but the team offers her the opportunity to make a lot of plays. She's an excellent shot maker all around the floor. Her 16.5 PPG were among the best in the St. Louis area last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624398' first='Nevaeh' last='Caffey'] (5'10, Junior, Incarnate Word)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caffey is a top candidate because of two reasons. One, she's the point guard of a team that will be the Class 6 favorites once again. Two, she's a top ranked player in the state regardless of class. Caffey can do everything on the floor and is the catalyst behind a dominant offensive attack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='317337' first='Addison' last='Bjorn'] (6'2, Sophomore, Park Hill South)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bjorn is the only sophomore on this list for a number of reasons. She's the 2nd ranked player in the state, plays for a winner, and is the undisputed leader for her team. It's difficult for an underclassmen to win the award and being a</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='351752' first='Jayda' last='Porter'] (6'4, Sophomore, Rock Bridge)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Porter is one of the best talents in the state and is at an outstanding program with a few of these banners in the gym. She's a 6'4 do-it-all player who can go for near triple-doubles on the biggest stage. A great scorer with touch and shot blocking on the defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->