Getting A Bucket

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='298252' first='Ava' last='Ziolkowski'] (2024) of Crown Point High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the regular season having concluded, and the postseason getting underway this week, I wanted to circle back and make note of players who excelled during the 2023-2024 season in several different statistical categories. These statistics have been pulled from MaxPreps, so if you feel like someone has been omitted, it's likely because their school/coach didn't update their statistics online, or they don't have enough games entered yet to qualify. Below is a look at the top five scorers from this season, regardless of school classification or graduation year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">31.3 ppg - [player_tooltip player_id='825863' first='Samantha' last='Redinger'], 2024, Argos Community H.S.</font></strong><br>- After scoring in the mid-teens as a Junior, I think everyone expected Samantha to approach 20 points per game as a Senior. But to make a jump this significant has been impressive. She is a pure lefty shooter with deep range and a quick release. She attacks aggressively with her left, she's a physical wing, and she competes on each possession. She does as much damage off of offensive rebounds and free throws as she does from behind the arc; you have to be determined to stop her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">28.2 ppg - [player_tooltip player_id='298252' first='Ava' last='Ziolkowski'], 2024, Crown Point H.S.</font></strong><br>- Ava is another player who really exploded as a Senior. At her size, she has always had impressive touch outside, but the ability to post smaller defenders inside as well. This season, she has used her size to her advantage a lot more, and she has worked in the pivot with intent and a much better understanding of what her team needs each game. Additionally, playing more around the rim has offered more offensive rebounding opportunities and more free throw attempts..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">27.9 ppg - [player_tooltip player_id='177352' first='Camryn' last='Runner'], 2024, Hamilton Heights H.S.</font></strong><br>- Camryn has been a scoring threat for the Huskies since her Freshman year, and she is closing in on 2000 points. She has nice touch outside, quickness and the ability to attack the basket, but this season she made a significant jump in scoring the ball, and it's centered around her attacking the basket even more now. Oftentimes you see added strength build confidence inside for guards. She's a willing rebounder, but she also picks up a lot of steals and gets transition buckets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">27.4 ppg - [player_tooltip player_id='295764' first='Maya' last='Makalusky'], 2025, Hamilton Southeastern H.S.</font></strong><br>- Maya has been a double-figure scorer each of her first two seasons, but she nearly doubled her scoring output this season, and it's due to her need to step up in the wake of several quality 2023 graduation losses. Now, she is the leader on a rather young, but talented Royals team. At her size, she is a talented shooter, and while she has shot a few more 3-pointers this year, she has nearly doubled her free throw attempts, suggesting she has been much more aggressive to the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">27.1 ppg - [player_tooltip player_id='834925' first='Kylah' last='Patterson'], 2027, Hammond Morton H.S.</font></strong><br>- Kylah exploded onto the scene this season for Morton, giving them a chance to win most games. She is a strong, physical wing with great athleticism. She flies up and down the court, she has nice bounce, and she handles contact well. While she does need to continue building her skill, her control, and become more efficient, she plays at a different speed than nearly everyone else. She beats people to rebounds and loose balls, and she has a quick second jump while others are just landing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->